CLARE STAGES RALLY 1993

For the 1993 Clare Stages Rally the event went back to Ennis with the base in the West County Hotel.  Frank Meagher led the field away with Garath O’Callaghan navigating.  Ken Colbert was next in his 6R4 with Donal O’Donovan, George Cullen and Ken Lyons completing the top five.  Local interest was with Paul O’Connell and David Kelleher both in hired GpA Sierra Cosworths.  Also Anthony O’Halloran in a 2 litre Escort and Pat Casey in his 1600 Escort would be of major interest.

Frank Meagher set the pace but Ken Colbert was the major retirements of SS1 when he broke the diff over a jump.  Mickey Farrell was lying second but Donal O’Donovan made a wrong tyre choice with Paul Harris in intercom trouble and Tom Spence had a faulty alternator.  Wesley Patterson was leading the 2 litre class from Anthony O’Halloran. 

By the first service Meagher had a commanding over Mickey Farrell.  Paul Harris was having a storming drive up to third in his sunbeam.  Ken Lyons was fourth with George Cullen in fifth.  Paul O’Connell was up to sixth but had problems on SS3.  Fintan McGrady with Cyril Whelan were up to 10th overall but David Kelleher lost time on SS2 with a puncture.  Retirements on the second loop included Ken Lyons hitting a house and Vincent O’Shea who had gearbox trouble.  Paul O’Connell retired with a flat battery. 

Out at the front of the rally, Meagher ran away with the lead but Mickey Farrell had trouble with a blown turbo.  He dropped to fourth with George moving into second.  Paul Harris had a fantastic drive into third despite a misfire.  Tom Spence finished fifth with Fintan McGrady and Cyril Whelan finishing sixth in their G3 Escort.  Seventh was Anthony who had a brilliant class win in his Escort from P.J. Woods.  Pat and Jim Casey finished eight and won the 1600 class leaving some very quick cars behind.  David Kelleher crashed on their last stage without injury to himself or Kevin O’Neill.