Round 6: Hankook Down Rally, 7 July

Derek McGarrity extended his championship lead with victory on the Down Rally by the scant margin of one second.

From the start McGarrity was embroiled in a close fight with Donagh Kelly, who took the lead by the end of the second loop of stages. Having maintained his lead thereafter, Kelly went into the final stage 6.4 seconds clear of McGarrity.

However, McGarrity produced a strong run to complete the stage 7.4 second quicker than his rival and claim a slender victory. Reigning champion Kenny McKinstry completed the podium in third.

Results1 Derek McGarrity / James McKee (Subaru WRC S12B) 58m43.3s2 Donagh Kelly / Kevin Flanagan (Subaru WRC S11) 58m44.3s3 Kenny McKinstry / Sean Mullaly (Subaru WRC S11) 59m51.9s

Provisional championship standings1 Derek McGarrity57 points2 Drew Stewart36 3 Derek McGeehan364 Ray Brammer255 Kieron Graffin22