Circuit of Ireland 2011: Review

Four times became five times today after Derek McGarrity took victory on the 80^th anniversary of one of Ireland's most famous rallies, the Circuit of Ireland.

McGarrity was involved in a titanic fight with Banbridge preparation ace Kenny McKinstry throughout Day 1 and into Day 2. When Day 2 dawned in Service in Armagh City, it was bright and sunny, unlike out on the Day's opener, the 8 miles of SS11. Rain greeted the top crews, and became heavy in some places. Both McGarrity and McKinstry spun, but the difference was that McGarrity found the right direction quite quickly, McKinstry did not. His S8-spec Impreza stalled and he could not get going for 30 secs. McGarrity pushed his S11 example to it's limits for the rest of the stage, and was shaking at the end of the stage, describing his recovery drive as a 'crazy run'. McGarrity's run was so quick that he bettered McKinstry's dry time on the repeat stage, SS14

“It was a very good rally. Yesterday was tricky for us learning the car all over again. Today was brilliant, the Pirelli tyres worked well and the car was good. My mechanics Paul and Jim did a fantastic job getting the car ready and fitting Niall Maguire’s engine – they wouldn’t give up. I am really grateful to Niall for lending me the engine” said the now 5-times Circuit winner.

Eight WRC-spec Imprezas started the rally, and two didn't arrive at the finish.. Darren Gass' machine caught fire on SS1 and Next out was Stuart Biggerstaff on SS3. Kevin Barrett was on the verge of retirement quite a number of times with multiple problems in his Impreza. Derek McGarrity nearly didn't start the rally after a serious engine problems during pre-event testing, but Niall Maguire came to the rescue with a spare engine. George Robinson was competing in the NI Rally Championship section, so he did not compete on Day 2.

“I’m disappointed but realistic. Any fight there was going to be disappeared with that spin this morning. To be fair to Derek his time in the wet this morning was faster than my time over the same stage this afternoon in the dry” said McKinstry.

In the Showroom class, Donagh Kelly inherited the lead after Garry Jennings crashed out on SS11. Kelly occupied 4^th o/a after Jennings' exit, but fell to 6^th o/a after both John Dalton and Phil Collins both passed him. This was only a minor thing, as he slowed down to protect his massive lead. Indeed, he had such a lead that he was able to drop around 12secs to Brendan Cumiskey. His final winning margin was 42.8secs.

Welsh visitor John Dalton won the Modified Class in his Darrian T90 GTR. Phil Collins was 1.8secs behind Dalton at the finish. Early leader Wesley Patterson crashed on the final stage of Day 1, bending the MK2's cage. Wesley was taken to hospital with a pulled muscle in his back, but co-driver Martin McGarrity is okay. Wesley later apologised for blocking the stage, and thanked everyone who helped him.

Rising star Amy Cox won Class 6 in her G3 Escort. She finished ahead of Shane Cullen in another Escort, 32.3secs ahead to be exact. She also finished 23^rd o/a.

Steve Perez retired on SS1 after he snapped the gear stick off in his Stratos. He had it repaired and completed 'OO' duties. He SuperRallied on Day 2 and finished the rally.