CLARE STAGES RALLY 1996

The 1996 Fitzpatrick Hotels in Clare Stages Rally saw a new COC in Dermot O’Sullivan.  The stages were based in the Barefield-Ruan area with service in the local industrial estate.  A full capacity entry was received with last year winter, Stephen Murphy, leading the entry in his Escort Cosworth.  Also competing were Frank O’Mahony in his Legacy, Ray Breen in a 6R4, J.J. Fleming in the ex Finlay Escort Cosworth and Norman Armstrong in his Escort.   

SSI was Barefield where Stephen Murphy set a strong pace with Frank, Ray and J.J. not far behind.  Local favourite, Anthony O’Halloran retired on the first stage with engine trouble.  Richard Casey set a good pace in his borrowed 205.  Norman Armstrong was also on a very good pace but Maurice Moffett had a bad crash near the end of the stage.   

The second loop saw Murphy consolidating hid lead with Frank O’Mahony settling into second.  But on Barefield 2, Richard Casey retired with a broken rotor arm.  SS6, Wilbrook saw a downpour and it caught a lot of drivers out.  Paul O’Connell and Pat both crashed but continued, Pat was inside the top five on a fast pace.   

But nobody could stop Stephen Murphy who had a good win from Frank O’Mahony with a storming drive from Norman Armstrong who finished third.  His brother, David, had a steady run to sixth in his Sierra Cosworth.  Despite the crash, Pat Casey still finished top local in ninth place with Ger Dwane finishing a very good tenth overall.  Stephen again thanked the CMC and Dermot on a well-run event with very demanding stages.