Tyrone crews catch the eye at Turkey Run Rally

MAIDEN City Motor Club’s annual Turkey Run Rally at Shackleton proved a happy hunting ground for Tyrone drivers, with four local crews finishing in the top 10.

Dromore’s Cathan McCourt, who had Sean O’Donnell in the co-driver’s seat, enjoyed a successful run in his new Rally2 Ford Fiesta, finishing second overall behind winner Desi Henry and runner-up Aaron McLaughlin.

Castlederg pair, Gareth Sayers and Gareth Gilchrist were the next Tyrone crew home fifth overall in their R5 Ford Fiesta, two places ahead of Strabane men Anthony Cairns and Mark Preston in their Subaru Impreza. The last of the local crews to finish in the overall top 10 were Paidi Hamill, assisted by Martin Harte, and the Galbally lad probably produced the drive of the day.

Just over two weeks after his 18th birthday and in his first run behind the wheel of Dad, Damien’s R5 Ford Fiesta, the youngster belied his years and lack of experience in such a machine to not only finish ninth overall but win class 10 with a blistering last four stages that saw him rocket up the standings.

Drumquin’s Michael McCrossan and David Dennison in a Mitsubishi Evo IX were next home in 15th overall and a superb first in class eight, one place ahead of Bready’s Derek Gurney, assisted by Alan Connor, in his Sierra Cosworth, who was 16th and third in class six.

Trillick’s Joe Kelly and Jonathan Kelly were 17th overall and second in class seven in their Mk II Ford Escort, six places ahead of Dungannon’s Terry Donnelly and Ballygawley’s Gareth Donnelly in their new Skoda Fabia S2000 in which they were also second in class nine.

Tempo’s Damian Campbell and co-driver Declan McGarrity were the next to finish in 28th overall and seventh in class in their MkII Ford Escort, two places ahead of Dromore’s Conor McCourt and Caolan McKenna in the same Escort that Conor’s younger brother drove to third overall at the Killarney Historic Rally late last year.

The next Tyrone driver home was Strabane’s Martin Cairns, assisted by Clare Gamble. They endured issues on stage four, which saw them drop 33 places to finish 37th overall and sixth in class in their Ford Fiesta WRC.

In 40th place was Drumquin’s Conor McCrossan who had Jason Mitchell in the unusual position of reading the notes instead of listening to them. That pair also dropped 33 positions on the penultimate stage to fall down the overall order.

Strabane’s Andrew Gillespie also suffered a frustrating day at Shackleton with power steering issues after he got bogged on stage two when he lost 51 places, seeing him end up 48th overall and eighth in class seven.

He finished just one place ahead of Strabane’s Gerard Neeson and co-driver Andrew Loane in their Peugeot 106, who were three places in front of Gary Cairns and Garry Monteith’s Mitsubishi Evo X, which was in turn two positions ahead of the Nissan Micra of Donemana’s Mark Moore and Johnny Dinsmore.

In 59th place was another north Tyrone driver, Ryan Wray, assisted by Lee McCrory in an Evo VIII, while Trillick’s Ronan Campbell struggled with an intermittent misfire all day which left him 61st overall. On a positive note, he did win his class!

Full results at www.rallyscore.net