Rob Duggan To Compete In World Rally Championship

Current Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year, Jonny McMullan, continued his dream season in Anglesey in Wales at the weekend where he secured the BRSCC National Formula Ford 1600 Championship. McMullan headed to the Welsh circuit fresh from securing the All Ireland Formula Ford 1600 Championship at Mondello last weekend and he set out his stall early on Saturday taking pole position for the opening race meeting. Starting from pole, McMullan momentarily lost the lead but soon regained it, scorching away from the opposition and placing one hand on the title. A win on Sunday’s race wasn’t necessary for the Belfast driver but McMullan repeated his Saturday performance, leading from pole to the checkered flag to seal a faultless weekend in his Van Diemen. Having secured a brace of national titles in as many weeks, McMullan will now head from the iconic Brands Hatch Formula Ford Festival at the end of October followed by the Walter Hayes Trophy meeting at Silverstone.

Rob Duggan To Compete In World Rally Championship

Chamions Rob Duggan and Ger Convway

Young Killarney ace Rob Duggan and navigator Ger Conway secured one of the most valued prizes in rallying on Saturday after taking the Carryduff Forklift R2 Wales title. Peugeot 208 driver Duggan, will now get a prize drive on the final round of the 2015 World Rally Championship, Wales Rally GB in mid November, driving a Citroen DS3 R3T prepared by Davy Greer Motorsport. Duggan, a nominee for this year’s Motorsport Ireland Young Rally Driver of the Year award had been in a season long tussle with fellow Peugeot driver Jon Armstrong for the duration of the championship but speed and consistency had placed Duggan as favourite to lift the title on the Omagh based Bushwhacker Rally. Despite a lack of loose surface experience, Duggan drove with pace, precision and composure, quite content to let Armstrong make the running. With other contenders hitting difficulty, Duggan could relax knowing his second place finish in the R2 class would secure the title. Upon reaching the finish, Duggan was overjoyed; “To win the title and the prize that comes with it is amazing, so many people have helped make this happen. This was the first running of this championship and it’s been a great success, it was so competitive and a great showcase for younger drivers. Wales Rally GB will be a fantastic experience for myself and Ger.”

Garryhill in Carlow was the venue for rounds 3 and 4 of the Hewison Autotest Championship and in ideal conditions, it was Ballyclare driver Paul Blair who triumphed on Saturday in his rear whee driver 1600 Stryker. Reigning champion Steven Ferguson finished second on Saturday but took his first win of the 2015/16 season by taking the spoils on Sunday’s event in his Mini Special. Eamonn Byrne took the runner up spot on Sunday. In Tralee, Kerry Motor Club ran the penultimate round of their KK Hydraulics Autosolo Championship where championship leader Brendan Farmer extended his lead with another win in his Mini. 8 challenging tests saw many fancied drivers struggle but the nimble Mini of Farmer eventually came out on top. The final round of the championship will take place in 2 weeks time.

 

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