Round 1: Bishopscourt Stages, 15 March

Defending champion Derek McGarrity drove his new Mini WRC car to victory in the season-opener at Bishopscourt.

McGarrity recovered from an overheating car on SS1 to start pulling away on SS2. His eventual winning margin was almost half a minute over runner-up Kevin Barrett. “I really enjoyed the stages, and indeed the car,” said McKinstry. “The braking and chassis were superb, and I love to drive anything around here anyway, it’s a great venue.”

Desi Henry overcame a malfunctioning third gear to complete the podium. Meanwhile a great battle for fifth between Alan Carmichael and Emma McKinstry was settled by just one second, with the former coming out on top.

Results1 Derek McGarrity / James McKee (Mini WRC) 37m13.9s 2 Kevin Barrett / Lesley McGaffin (Subaru Impreza S14) +25.0s3 Desi Henry / Liam Moynihan (Subaru Impreza S9) +43.6s

1.Derek McGarrity – 12 points2 Kevin Barrett – 103 Desi Henry – 94 Alan Carmichael – 75 Emma McKinstry – 6