Photo: Roy Dempster www.roydempster.com

Eugene Donnelly driving his Digiprintz sponsored Skoda Fabia WRC won the Safety Direct Galway International Rally 2009 after a dramatic final day.

Overnight leader Eamonn Boland retired when the engine let go on his Subaru S12C after SS10, then Kevin Lynch, who was now second, had engine problems with the S12B as it refused to fire up at the start of SS12 and he too was out. Conrad Rautenbach lost time on the first couple of stages due to engine problems then crashed out of the event on SS12.

These retirements enabled Donnelly to ease back over the last few stages to record yet another win, against the odds, in a lesser developed car.

Donnelly commented on the event and his win to rallynews.net:

We stayed out of trouble today. Every stage we learned something new. The last stage was a real challenge we were spinning all four wheels in 5th gear on the ice. It was a great feeling to be competitive again in this wee car which is not so young. We lost time yesterday with the puncture and the accident but overall we were going well. The team did a great job as did the organisers and the marshals out in the cold.

Photo: Roy Dempster www.roydempster.com

Gareth MacHale took second after setting a series of fastest times over the last number of stages in his Ford Focus WRC 06. Peadar Hurson was third in his S10 Subaru and was glad to just get a result rather than push after such a long lay off. 

Aaron MacHale managed fourth after his problems yesterday with the Focus 05 WRC. Anthony O'Halloran finished fifth o/a in an Evo 9 and took Group N after a final stage battle with Sean Flanagan's Subaru. Overnight Group N leader Damien Tourish retired his Evo 9 on SS15 after sliding into a ditch and losing a wheel. Wesley Patterson, driving the Mk2 Escort, won the National section of the rally and Ray Cunningham took the Historic prize in his Mini Cooper S.

Group N winner Anthony O'Halloran

Photo: Roy Dempster www.roydempster.com

Galway Rally 2009 Day 1 and 2 video highlights

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 17 – FINAL STAGE
1st (5) Eugene Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Fabia WRC) 2.00.47.8
2nd (4) Gareth MacHale/Brian Murphy (Focus WRC) 2.02.02.4
3rd (9) Peadar Hurson/Damian Connolly (Impreza WRC) 2.02.31.0
4th (10) Aaron MacHale/Barry Goodman (Focus WRC) 2.02.55.1
5th (21) Anthony O'Halloran/Charlie McEnery (Lancer N) 2.10.46.3
6th (22) Sean Flanagan/Brian Duggan (Impreza N) 2.10.51.1
7th (44) Tommy Doyle/Tony McDaid (Clio) 2.14.02.3
8th (20) Mike Bird/Kevin Keane (Impreza WRC) 2.14.24.1
9th (46) Ger O’Donovan/Sean Hayde (Impreza N) 2.14.55.8
10th (70) Craig Breen/Andrew Purcell (Fiesta) 2.17.25.8

Source: rallynews.net

Similar Posts:

• Circuit of Ireland Rally 2009 Final Results: Eugene Donnelly wins the Circuit in Skoda Fabia WRC
• Circuit of Ireland Rally 2009 Day 1 results and videos: Eugene Donnelly in command
• TOPAZ Donegal International Rally 2008 Day One and Donnelly leads on his comeback in the Fabia WRC

About the Author

Scott Coursey is the editor-in-chief of RallyBuzz.com and can be found on Twitter or on Facebook