Mayo crew on form at Waterford's Raven's Rock Rally

Bouncing back from the disappointment of retiring with an electrical issue on the last stage of Cavan Stages Rally last month, John Warren and Ruthann O'Connor returned to round four of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship, the Raven's Rock Rally in Waterford, on Sunday last.

The McHale Fusion 4 Corolla crew were fastest out of the blocks on Sunday morning’s tight, twisty, tricky opening Ardbeg stage.

“We knew as usual the two-wheel-drive battle would be intense over the nine stages, so we were well aware a good start was vital” said co-driver Ruthann.

Despite reporting brake issues which were addressed at the opening service haul after three stages, John and Ruthann went on to grab stage win after stage win to dominate Class 13 with a winning margin of 42 seconds over their nearest rivals and, most importantly, extent their lead in the Triton Showers National Rally Championship.

“At the final service, with three stages remaining, we had a look at our lead in the class and our overall position, and while a top 10 overall finish was achievable I felt, Ruthann made the call that we would concentrate on the class win and also the Paul Mulcahy Memorial Award for Class 13,” said John.

“We knew and we had competed against Paul, who was fatally injured on this event in 2013, so it meant a lot to secure that award,” added Ruthann.

Attention for the McHale crew now turns closer to home to the Sligo Stages Rally, which roars into action in two weeks’ time.

Sunday’s Raven's Rock Rally was won overall by Monaghan’s Josh Moffett, who was co-driven by Limerick’s Keith Moriarty in a Hyundai i20 N Rally2. The Citroen C3 Rally2 of Donegal’s Declan Boyle and co-driver Paddy McCrudden was second, while the British crew of James Ford and Neil Shanks, also in a Citroen C3 Rally2, finished third.