Townparks Glens of Antrim Rally 2008 Results: Derek McGarrity wins as Connor McCloskey clinches title

Images: www.roydempster.com

Robert's Rally Round-up

McCLOSKEY WINS HIS FIRST NI TITLE

Second place behind former champion Derek McGarrity (pictured above) on the Townparks Glens of Antrim Rally was enough to give young Connor McCloskey from Kilrea and his co-driver Francis Regan the 2008 Northern Ireland Rally Championship after a season-long battle with Dunnamanagh driver Sean Devine co driven by Damien Duffin.

McGarrity, who dominated the event, was driving the Subaru S12B that Eugene Donnelly and Kris Meeke had previously used while McCloskey finished 14 seconds back in the DMG hired S12 he used on earlier tarmac rounds, switching from the McKinstry run 05 Focus he drove on the last two loose surface events. Devine driving his usual S11 was third just 5 seconds behind a cool headed McCloskey.

New N.I. Rally champ McCloskey:

McCloskey commented on winning the Pacenotes N.I. Rally Championship:

I can hardly take it in.

This is my first year in the championship, my first year driving WRC cars, and to finish as the champion is amazing."

Highlights Glens of Antrim 08:

It had been a long hard season starting way back in February with the Eurocables Rally at Kirkistown which marked a win for Sean Devine, albeit by just seven tenths of a second from McCloskey. After playing catch-up for most of the year, Connor won the Bushwacker and Down rallies to tie with Sean going into the final show down in the Glens on Sarurday 1st.November.

Last year’s champ Glenn Allen became disillusioned and dropped out of the picture after the Bushwacker, his now ageing 97/98 Corolla not up to the same standard as the newer and more powerful WRC machines. This left the destiny of this year’s championship in the hands of Devine and McCloskey, there was no one else in the frame (in fact these three were the only drivers in World Rally Cars to seriously compete for the 08 title)

Devine had to settle for third in the rally and runner-up in the championship:

The Group N title this year went down to the final event also, old hand Cathal Rogers winning his first ever title after his main challenger, Neil McCance crashed out.

From the BMMC/BRMC point of view the NI Championship was a long and very busy element to our year. We provided Timekeepers for all 10 rounds as usual, plus Radio and Rescue cover on most events.

Group N champ Cathal Rogers:

On the Glens of Antrim we covered start and finish time controls on SS1/5 Glentaisie which at 3.20 miles was the shortest stage of the rally. The classic stages of Glenshesk, Torr Head and Glendun (each around 8 miles long) made up the 10 stage event. Thanks to Goff, Stephen, John, Anna and Victor for their help.

It was the first time since the 02 Ulster that these tests had been used in anger and I known Mid Antrim member and Ulster COC, Michael Johnston would like to bring the International rally back to the area next August. This was a trial run and the stages proved to be a big hit with the 106 strong entry.

Top 2WD finisher on the Townparks Wesley Patterson:

Our stage had the worst jump in the whole event, just before the flying finish. Four drivers including former champion, Sean Haveron were caught out and crashed heavily here, thankfully without injury.

McCloskey is the youngest driver ever to win the N.I. championship. This year also marked the twentieth anniversary of the series, the first winner being Kenny McKinstry back in 1988 where he sealed the championship on the final round, the Townparks. The BMMC, under stage commander Colin Rossborough, ran the Glenarm forest stage that year on the Mid Antrim MC run event.

Rally Robert is a member of the British Motorsport Marshals Club.

Top Ten Results Townparks:

1 Derek McGarrity/James McKee Subaru Impreza 9
2 Connor McCloskey/Francis Regan Subaru Impreza 9
3 Sean Devine/Damien Duffin Subaru Impreza 9
4 Cathal Rogers/Eoighan Rodgers Mitsubishi Evo 9 2
5 Wesley Patterson/Martin McGarrity Ford Escort 8
6 Camillus Bradley/Danny O'Neill Ford Escort 7
7 Andrew Bushe/Richard Hyland Citroën Saxo S16 5
8 Gerard McFall/Brendan Boyle Ford Escort 9
9 Rodney White/Sorcha Kelly Talbot Sunbeam 7
10 Des Moore/Damian Connolly Ford Escort 8

Images: www.roydempster.com

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