CLARE STAGES RALLY 1995

The 1995 Fitzpatrick Hotels’ Clare Stages Rally stayed in Bunratty but the stages moved back to the Barefield-Ruan area.  The big attraction was Stephen Finlay in his Michelin Pilot Escort Cosworth as car 0, testing for the Ulster Rally.  All the Coras Vard contenders were present bar John Gilleece, who was on holidays.  Anthony O’Halloran was also debuting his new Astra engined Manta. 

Stephen Murphy was quickest in SS1 from Mickey Farrell who was 22 seconds down with the Manta of Anthony O’Halloran third quickest and Eamon Boland fourth, 3 seconds down.  Ruan man Richard Casey was a brilliant 5th and Pat Casey, Richards brother ninth quickest.  Paul Harris reached the end of the stage with blue smoke everywhere, which was terminal.  Stephen Finlay felt a bit rusty, had a spin and overshot but was still second quickest to Murphy. 

On SS2, Dromore, Murphy set a cracking pace but Anthony O’Halloran equalled him with a very fast time.  Eamon Boland lost time with the wipers failing.  Richard Casey retired with mechanical problems and Pat Casey with his daughter Rosie navigating made it up to fifth overall in their 1600 Escort but crashed on the second run over Larch Hill.  This stage was found to be slippy by many crews. 

After service Mickey Farrell made a brave decision to go on slicks where most were on intermediates.  He took 14 seconds off Stephen.  Anthony dropped back to third because of a 4WD advantage.  Norman Armstrong was having a big battle with Joe McGurk, keeping a 15 second advantage.  Going into the last three stages, Stephen had a 27 second advantage over Mickey with Anthony 47 seconds down at Mickey and Eamon Boland fourth.  But on the Dromore stage Mickey over did it and went sideways into a wall.  He retired at the end of the stage, which moved Anthony up to second.  Eamon Boland finished third and was happy, finding the left hand drive heard to get used to.  Local men John O’Sullivan and Tadhg Collins finished seventh overall after a steady run.  

Stephen Murphy was happy with the day, found it a tough rally but enjoyed the day.  He thanked David Hogan and his team on a well-run event.