Garry Jennings looked on course for victory on Sunday’s ALMC Stages Rally, but mechanical problems with his Subaru WRC meant he had to retire from the lead of the Co Meath based event.

Garry was looking to record back to back victories after his success at the Lurgan Park Rally the previous weekend and he started the nine stage rally as favourite for victory. Partnered by Barry McNulty the pair were cautious on the first stage, posting third fastest time on the fast stages around the village of Trim. On stage two however they upped the pace and had closed the gap to the leaders. On stage three the sunny morning had turned damp, and Garry exploited the conditions to grab the lead of the rally with a stage time 12 seconds quicker than his nearest challenger.

The second run over the same loop of three stages saw the first stage after service cancelled, and Hugh Hunter took two seconds off Garry on stage five to reduce his lead to three seconds. Garry was hopeful of repeating his earlier performance on the last stage of the loop, but half way through the test he was forced to pull to the side of the road when an oil light came on in his Subaru. His retirement paved the way for a comfortable win for Hunter.

In the two wheel drive category Jackie Elliott navigated Frank Kelly to a class win and sixth overall.