Chris Armstrong battled to third in class on last weekend’s Monaghan Stages Rally. The former Brookeborough man was locked in a day long battle for honours in a competitive class 13, eventually claiming the final step on the podium after nine stages.

Declan Gallagher in his Toyota GT86 was the pre event favourite and he demonstrated his speed early in the event with the fastest time in the class on the opening stage. Chris in his Ford Escort was in second spot four seconds adrift with David Moffatt less than three seconds further back.

After the first loop of three stages, the crews arrived back in service with Gallagher having established a ten second lead but the battle for the second spot was closely contested with Moffatt having closed the gap to Chris to under two seconds. The pair continued to swap seconds and over the second loop of stages Chris had extended his lead to six seconds but Moffatt was preparing to make a charge over the closing miles.

On stage seven, Chris gained another two seconds but then his rival in the Starlet began to claw back the time. On the penultimate stage he set a time three and a half seconds faster than Chri and overhauled him on the final leader board as he threw caution to the wind over the final stage, posting a stunning time 12 seconds faster, relegating Chris to third in class and 11th overall.

Chris Armstrong battled to third in class on last weekend’s Monaghan Stages Rally. The former Brookeborough man was locked in a day long battle for honours in a competitive class 13, eventually claiming the final step on the podium after nine stages.

Declan Gallagher in his Toyota GT86 was the pre event favourite and he demonstrated his speed early in the event with the fastest time in the class on the opening stage. Chris in his Ford Escort was in second spot four seconds adrift with David Moffatt less than three seconds further back.

After the first loop of three stages, the crews arrived back in service with Gallagher having established a ten second lead but the battle for the second spot was closely contested with Moffatt having closed the gap to Chris to under two seconds. The pair continued to swap seconds and over the second loop of stages Chris had extended his lead to six seconds but Moffatt was preparing to make a charge over the closing miles.

On stage seven, Chris gained another two seconds but then his rival in the Starlet began to claw back the time. On the penultimate stage he set a time three and a half seconds faster than Chri and overhauled him on the final leader board as he threw caution to the wind over the final stage, posting a stunning time 12 seconds faster, relegating Chris to third in class and 11th overall.