Garry Jennings rolls back the years to conquer the Sperrins

FORMER Irish Tarmac Rally champion Garry Jennings rolled back the years on Saturday when he and co-driver Rory Kennedy raced to victory at the GO Tour of the Sperrins Rally.

The Kesh man was competing behind the wheel of his new Rally2 Ford Fiesta but he didn’t require much time to acquaint himself with his latest machine as he clinched victory by almost 17 seconds from Clady’s Aidan Wray and co-driver Paddy McCrudden in their Volkswagen Polo, while Strabane’s former Irish Forest champion, Ryan Caldwell and Stephen O’Brien were third in their Rally2 Skoda Fabia.

Jennings’ victory came on the back of three fastest stage times, which led to a start to finish success on what was the second round of the Northern Ireland Rally Championship.

Behind the top three, who were a pace apart on the day, was fourth placed Joseph McGonigle, who edged out fellow Citroen C3 driver Desi Henry, while Omagh’s Gareth Mimnagh came home sixth alongside J Barry McCarney in their Fiesta, one place in front of Daniel Barry, while Gareth Irwin, Damian Toner and Clady’s Frank Wray rounded out the top 10.

The next Tyrone finisher was Martin Cairns in 22nd overall in another Rally2 Fiesta, while Donaghmore’s Seamus Goodfellow was second in class five and 26th overall in a Rally4 machine following an impressive display behind the wheel.

Ardboe’s Kevin Quinn brought his Mk II Ford Escort home in 27th position, two places ahead of Donemana’s Paul Britton, while Cookstown’s Owen Mallon was 39th in another Mk II Escort.

Following that trio was Coagh’s Trevor Ferguson in 44th place, two places ahead of Dungannon’s Mark McGrath, while Sion Mills driver, Andrew Gillespie sealed 51st on the day in his Escort.

Dungannon’s Michael Stirrup was 53rd in his Toyota Corolla AE86, while north Tyrone duo Jack and Anthony Cairns claimed 57th and 58th places respectively, with the latter third in class two in his Subaru Impreza. Drumnakilly’s Ryan McAleer, who co-drove for Stephen Cleary, was 59th on the day.

Dungannon’s Richard O’Loane brought his Rally3 Fiesta home third in class four and 62nd overall, with Gary Cairns 68th in his Rally2 Skoda Fabia, while Newmills man, Richard Somerville was 74th in a Mk II Escort and Bready’s Derek Gurney brought his Ford Sierra Cosworth home in 79th.

Meanwhile, Dungannon’s Mark Stewart, who retired on the penultimate test, received the Spirit of the Rally award after selflessly stopping on stage three, putting his personal event ambitions to the side to come to Paddy McVeigh’s rescue after his fellow Dungannon man’s Toyota Starlet got stuck after a spin and set the grass under his car on fire. Along with a host of spectators, Stewart and co-driver Gareth Badger used their Mk II Ford Escort to drag their rival’s car from potential disaster.