CLARE STAGES RALLY 1992

The 1992 Woodchester Clare Stages Rally was again based in The King Thomond Hotel, Lisdoonvarna, with three stages repeated three times in the Corofin area.  There was a high quality entry this year with Austin McHale leading the field away.  Behind him were Billy Connolly, Ken Colbert and Andrew Nesbitt, both in Metro 6R4’s.  From Wales came Gwyndaf Evans in an Escort with Stephen Murphy in a Sierra Cosworth.  The longest distance traveller was Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Baichashab in a Sierra Cosworth, who was preparing for the Ulster Rally the following week. 

Just as the rally started there was a huge downpour, Andrew Nesbitt showed a class bit of driving on the first stage catching and passing Ken Colbert who was not hanging around.  Stephen Murphy was second and Austin McHale third in power steering difficulties Abdullah Baichashab had a big crash on that first stage and Kevin Barrett lost 30 seconds trying to get passed.  The two wheel drive cars were finding no traction and Peadar Hurson’s windscreen was fogging up in his Ascona. 

Stage 3 saw the end of Austin McHale with fuel pressure problems.  Nesbitt at this stage had a lead of almost a minute.  Murphy was second and started to set fastest times.  But he got a puncture and dropped behind Connolly and Hurson, but still only eight seconds separated 2nd to 4th.  Nesbitt was 1 min. 20 secs ahead after SS6 despite an overshoot. 

But Andrew dominated and won by over a minute with Connolly winning the battle for second.  Murphy got up to third ahead of Hurson with Ken Colbert 5th.  Anthony O’Halloran with Bob Kelly navigating finished the top local in eight position.  Once again the Woodchester Clare Stages Rally was a great success both with the competitors and spectators, with David Hogan and his team to thank.