Higgins wins on the Manx
Mark Higgins in his Eddie Stobart Ford focus world rally car stormed to victory on this year’s Total Manx International Rally with over five minutes to spare from his nearest rival, Eugene Donnelly in his Toyota Corolla.
Manx man Higgins dominated the event from start to finish and in the process won every stage on the event. Higgins’ only real rival during the rally was Kenny McKinstry with Bangor’s Noel Orr on the notes in there Triton showers/Omni Architects backed Subaru Impreza S9 WRC.
Ulster’s Kenny McKinstry and Noel Orr came to the Isle of Man looking for a win but sadly their fine run came to an end on the final stage on Saturday while they were in second place. McKinstry’s retirement handed second place to Eugene Donnelly who in doing so claimed maximum Championship points giving him a lead in the overall championship standings.
Coming home third was Glengormley’s Derek McGarrity in his Subaru S10 Impreza. Fourth place was yet another Irishman Eamon Boland in another Subaru while fifth was Higgins’ teammate Paul Bird in his Ford focus. Austin MacHale finished sixth overall after having problems with his car during the rally.
In Group N Rory Galligan won in his works Mitsubishi Lancer, while second in the class was local man Robert Watson in a similar car.
The next round of the championship is back on home soil where again both the British and Irish championships will meet on the Ulster Rally on 2nd, 3rd September.
