As the Safety Direct Galway International Rally is only a week away, Lettermacaward driver Declan Boyle prepares himself to take the challenge of the Galway Stages in his newly acquired Subaru Impreza s12b.
Declan, who would be known better in a Ford Mk2 escort, made the change to a WR car just after Donegal International back in June when he won the national section of the rally in his ex Millington powered escort.
Declan made he debut in the Subaru in Galway at their national rally which he battled it out with Frosses Driver Donagh Kelly in a similar car.
Unfortunately Donagh slid of on the final stage with left Declan taking victory over local Galway Driver JJ Fleming.
Next stop was Cork 20 International rally and it was 2nd O/A there with Cork man Darragh O’Riordan taking victory by 4:06.0. Closest to Declan was Denis Cronin in his Subaru Impreza S6, a more out of date car.
The following weekend was Declan’s home National event in Donegal Town.
Declan was on the ball straight away posting fastest time on SS1. But it was only early days. Garry Jennings came back to take the lead by 10 seconds in his rented Kenny McKinstry S10.
Declan cut Jennings lead down to 9 seconds but he had more to worry about as only 1 second was separating himself and Donagh Kelly. After a wee break in Service Jennings went out with a full attack taking another 2 of Declan.
But Declan put a 8 second gap between himself and Kelly. Stage 5 was canceled due to Mayo navigator seen a SOS board getting Brian O’Mahony to stop to report it.
Stage 6 the battle started again with Declan posting the same time as Jennings, But Kelly taking fastest time narrowing the gap with himself and Declan to 2 seconds. Heading out to the final loop it was all or nothing for all drivers and Donagh Kelly was out of the battle. Leaving it to Jennings & Boyle. Jennings took one second and Boyle would take another but Declan ended the rally 2nd best.
All these battles will come alive again in 8 days time in Galway with a top class entry of 9 WRC cars. Declan will be compeating in the Irish Tarmac Championship and Irish Dunlop National Championship 2013
To follow Declan Boyles progress “Like” his page on Facebook – www.facebook.com/DeclanBoyleMotorsport
or on Twitter by following @BoyleMotorsport
Top 10 for Galway International
1. Darren Gass/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC S10)
2. Derek McGarrity/James McKee (Subaru WRC)
3. Keith Cronin/TBA (Subaru Impreza S11)
4. Gary Jennings/Neil Doherty (Subaru S12B)
5. Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley (Suraru WRC)
6. Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Subaru Impreza S11)
7. Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru WRC S12B)
8. John Joe Fleming/Robbie Ward (Ford Focus WRC)
9. Eoin Doyle/Peter Brennan (Ford Focus WRC)
10. Sam Moffett/James O’Reilly (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)