Round 3: Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally, April 22

Kenny McKinstry remains unbeaten in this year’s championship, having scored his third consecutive victory on the Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally.

Four-times Circuit of Ireland winner Derek McGarrity lead the event early on but was deposed on SS3 by McKinstry. However, McGarrity fought back over the next two tests to regain his position atop the leader board.

The two stages that followed took place on McKinstry’s home turf around Banbridge and the championship leader duly moved in front once again, this time maintaining his lead to the finish to secure victory by just 1.6 seconds.

Results1 Kenny McKinstry / Kenny Hull (Subaru Impreza) 1h03m02.3s2 Derek McGarrity / James McKee (Subaru Impreza) 1h03m03.9s3 Kevin Barrett / Sean Mullalay (Subaru Impreza) 1h04m47.7s

Championship positions (provisional)after Round 31 Kenny McKinstry – 36 points2 George Robinson – 22= Derek McGarrity – 224 Connor McCloskey – 20= John McGaffin – 20