Alastair Fisher & Gordon Noble in a Fiesta R5 had a tremendous drive to third place overall in the Circuit of Ireland which netted them maximum points in the Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Tarmac Championship. Just behind Fisher were Josh Moffett & John Rowan in a similar car, a result which puts the Monaghan driver into the championship lead after three rounds. Championship leader going into this round was Keith Cronin, but a first stage excursion caused radiator damage and he was forced out of the event and now drops to second overall in the series, just ahead of Fisher. A superb drive by Jonny Greer moves him into a three way tie for fourth place along with Stephen Wright who also had a good result, and Sam Moffett who suffered disappointment when he went off the road on the second day. Maximum Group N points were taken by Pat Kearney who finished just ahead of his brother Gus, both in Lancers, while the hotly contested Class 2 saw William Creighton finish ahead of Fraser Mulholland, Marty Gallagher and Callum Devine who was forced into Rally 2 after mechanical problems early on.
Provisional Points after Round 3:
1st J. Moffett 36, 2nd Cronin 32, 3rd Fisher 30, 4th, Greer / Wright / S. Moffett 26
The Modified Championship still sees Scottish crew Ross Marshall and Dave Robson lead in their Mk2 Escort, but a maximum score for Wesley Patterson and Johnny Baird in a similar car see them trail the leaders by only two points. Davy Armstrong / Martin McGarrity in yet another Escort also scored well to move into third place overall in the series. The Historic Championship is provisionally being led by Frank Cunningham after he took maximum points in his Ford Escort RS1800 while Andy Johnson in his Chevette moved up the championship leader board after finishing just behind Cunningham.
A full event report will appear on www.irish tarmac.com in the coming days.