Cork 20 International 1986

Billy Coleman drove up the ramp at the finish of the Jury’s Cork “20” International Rally and breathed a sign of relief after taking the laurels with a fantastic win in the Rothmans Metro 6R4.

His victory was won in style, although it was not without heart stopping moments when a mechanical failure threatened his chances.  Twice victory nearly slip­ped away from Coleman but on each occasion he overcame it. The win restores him to a position where they can win the STP Tarmac Championship, but the second place of Dublin's Austin McHale in the Dealer Opel Team Ireland Manta 400 kept him in the driving seat in the points lead of the series. Both men had their dramas and this was most vividly illustrated on the first stage when each dropped some five minutes to the field after varying mechanical problems.

Coleman had to have the electrical pack which controls the engine re­placed after stuttering through the first stage.  McHale had a fan belt and oil pump belt go and had to stop and replace them.  Briton Cyril Bolton inherited the lead in his Presspart Metro but went out on the third stage with mechanical failure.

Carlow's Bill Connolly in his Red-Mills Chevette then took over the run­ning, but it was Coleman and McHale who were setting the pace as they tore through the field. By Saturday's end Coleman had regained the lost ground, and was at the front of the pack after setting fastest times on 11 of the 12 stages.  McHale was on his heels in the Manta but was unable to dislodge Con­nolly from second spot. ­At this stage James McDaid, was in fourth in another Manta and Tipperary's Frank Meagher in his Escort was suffering a variety of problems, including a loose steering wheel.

Yesterday morning's stages saw Coleman be­gin to apply the pressure as Connolly give him the chance to gain some time on championship rival McHale.  This he did and his lead extended, but Connolly was unable to maintain McHale's pace and the Dubliner was up to second place before long. Late drama saw the Millstreet driver collect a puncture on the way to the second last stage which he managed to change without dropping time.  The replacement was an ordinary road tyre and not the regular 16” inch rubber normally used on the car, but Coleman through the stage and managed to get it changed without too much difficulty. The last stage was a formality and Coleman took the honours with 1min .23s to spare over the DOTI driver.  Connolly’s troubles took a turn for the worst when the gear lever snapped in his hand on the 16th test and he was left to use a spanner instead ' A puncture on the penultimate stage, saw his chances recede further and Frank Meagher slipped through to take third overall despite a wing crumpling crash on the final stage