Unfamiliar car but great result

Editorial Department • Published 8 Jul 2010 16:00 0 Comments

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Garry Jennings, in a borrowed Subaru WRC, claims victory at the Lough Neagh Stages Rally at the weekend.

Driving an unfamiliar World Rally Car, Garry Jennings finished first overall on last weekend's Lough Neagh Stages Rally.

The Ballinamallard driver had been set to contest the Toomebridge event in his familiar Mitsubishi, but two days before the start he sold the car that has brought him mixed fortunes in recent times. The sale left him without a car for the one day event, but at short notice Kenny McKinstry was able to provide a Subaru WRC, and Garry stepped straight into the driver's seat and dominated the event to secure a comfortable victory.

In recent years Derek McGeehan has proved to be the class of the field, winning it three years in a row before George Robinson broke his winning streak in 2009. Right from the off in 2010 however it was clear that there was going to be a new name on the trophy. Despite his unfamiliarity with the car Garry set the fastest time on the first stage and repeated the feat on each of the following seven stages to ease home with a 15 second margin of victory.

"It was nice to get a run in a WRC car, because I haven't been in one since 2004," said Garry. "It took me a couple of stages to get used to it, but after that it was grand."

Flushed with his success Garry is hoping to take the Subaru to this weekend's Sligo Stages Rally, and there is a chance he may also contest Lurgan Park in the same car, giving him a shot at outright victory on the spectator friendly event.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 08 Jul 10

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