Round 1: Eurocables (Belfast) Stages Rally, 16 February

Derek McGarrity, co-driven by Neil Doherty, took his Subaru Impreza S14 WRC to a commanding victory on the season-opening Eurocables Stages Rally, with fastest times on all six tarmac stages.

McGarrity was more than six seconds quicker than Kevin Barrett on the opening stage. While McGarrity continued to stretch his lead throughout the remainder of rally, Barrett fought to hold off Emma McKinstry and an advancing Derek McGeehan.

McGeehan overhauled McKinstry for third on stage three but would ultimately finish over 16 seconds behind Barrett, who in turn was more than half a minute shy of the triumphant McGarrity.

Results1 Derek McGarrity / Neil Doherty (Subaru WRC) 26m14.8s 2 Kevin Barrett / Sean Mullaly (Subaru WRC) 26m47.2s 3 Derek McGeehan / Cormac McGrady (Mini WRC) 27m03.8s

Provisional championship standings1 Derek McGarrity12 points 2 Kevin Barrett10 3 Derek McGeehan9