Down Rally

Over 120 crews took the startline at the Eikon Centre for the Down Rally, in a small window of good weather which surrounded the event. Jonny Greer & Kirsty Riddick (Fiesta R5) were defending their 2018 victory and came out the blocks faster than the opposition to take almost 10 seconds out of the next fastest crew Meirion Evans & Jonathan Jackson (Fabia R5), through the opening stage. By the time the crews had got to the first service Greer was first with just 1s chipped off his advantage but stage 4 would see Evans fall away as he dropped 7 minutes with a puncture. Jon Armstrong & Noel O’Sullivan (Mini WRC) had climbed up to 3rd overall after a fastest time on stage 2 but a puncture cost them 50 seconds on stage 4 so the top 3 was shook up. Daniel Harper & Chris Campbell (Mini WRC) were up to 2nd place with Stephen Wright & Liam Moynihan (Fiesta R5) up to 3rd place.

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Down Rally

Our first trip to Northern Ireland saw us take in the Down Rally. The stages have featured many times over the years on the Circuit of Ireland and Ulster Rallies, with Hamilton’s Folly being the stand out. Jonny Greer & Kirsty Riddick (DS3 R5) stole a march on the rest by setting some blistering times on the opening loop ahead of David Bogie & John Rowan (Fabia R5) with Desi Henry & Liam Moynihan (Fabia R5) further back after sustaining damage on landing off one of the big jumps. Greer held his lead through the 2nd loop of stages as Henry closed in on Bogie and passed him. Bogie did sneak back ahead but retired before the last loop of stages.