Local rally driver Michael Britton from Cloneen and his co-pilot Kevin Lahart from Drangan taking part in this years stonethrowers rally.
A very wet morning made it a testing day for the competing drivers of the 2012 stonethrowers rally. Organisers were out early to close off the roads putting up hazzard tape at all entrances to ensure that no one would use the roads while the rally was in progress.
The first stage started at Fred Dalys gate heading through priestown taking a left at cappaghnagarrane heading for the ass’s turn. Swinging left at the ass’s turn the cars raced up the mullinahone -Drangan road to ballyrichard taking a right up through Kyle and ballynennan and on to Ballydonnell where the stage ended.
The second stage started outside Ballingarry heading down the shangarry road over the metal bridge keeping left at McGooey’s headed through ballydonnell taking a left over the King’s river through The Islands and Modeshill before coming to the finish just outside Mullinahone.
The third and final stage started at ballydavid outside Mullinahone racing along the foot of the mountain through kyletlea, Peafield swinging left at cloran heading for Killusty where the stage ended.
This circuit of three stages had to be completed 3 times by the competitors.
Every advantage point along the route was taking up by racing enthusiasts who had travelled from all parts of the country to watch the rally. Many locals especially children also got into the spirit of car racing for the day as families enjoyed the novelty of having the car rally locally. The rally was won by Brian O Mahony from Cork in a subaru car and second was Thomas Fitzmaurice also in a subaru car.
Great credit must go to the organisers and marshalls who supervised the race and ensured that everyone was in a safe place and that the rally passed without any incidents and was enjoyed by all.
J.R.
