A Record Breaker McKinstry Takes Manx Victory
Round 3 – The RBS International Manx Rally, Douglas, Isle of Man
Ulsterman Kenny McKinstry saw off a late and determined challenge from fellow Subaru WRC driver Roger Duckworth to take a record breaking fourth win on the RBS International Manx Rally today.
Along with co driver Noel Orr, the Banbridge driver led the event overnight and had to fend off both Duckworth and former winner Melvyn Evans (Subaru) to take a 5.1 second victory after fourteen dramatic stages and 120 miles around the closed roads of the Isle of Man.
In doing so, McKinstry beat the record of the late Bertie Fisher as well as Phil Collins, who each took a hat trick on the Manx Auto Club event, on his way to the narrowest victory in recent years.
“The competition was fierce and it was a great fight with Roger. I was going as fast as I could and it was a lot closer than I would have liked. It’s a special event and I’m delighted to take a fourth win” said McKinstry.
Meanwhile Duckworth along with co driver Mark Broomfield, who finished runners up for the third time and was second again in as many years said “We thoroughly enjoyed it and I tried my best but congratulations to Kenny, he drove brilliantly. It looks like we are just not destined to win this event.”
Comeback driver Evans claimed third ahead of defending champions Paul Bird and Ian Windress (Subaru) who endured handling problems throughout the event whilst fifth place went the way of Marcus Dodd and Andrew Bargery in their Hyundai Accent WRC.
Claiming maximum points in the Subaru Group N Trophy was Alistair Tough and Alister Mackay who finished ahead of Wyn Humphreys and Mark Lewis but Humphreys retains the lead in the Championship, whilst in the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Cup Anthony Willmington saw off the challenge of Tony Thompson and Jon Dunning but despite a heavy roll on the event Thompson still maintains the series lead.
In the Peugeot 206 Super Cup Colin Britton took victory ahead of Mike Harris to make it two wins out of two in the series going into the next round which takes place at the Severn Valley Stages which comprises the next round of the ANCRO Championship on Saturday 3rd June.
Final Results
- Kenny McKinstry/Noel Orr Subaru 1:41:07.8
- Roger Duckworth/Mark Broomfield Subaru 1:41:12.9
- Melvyn Evans/Sean Mullally Subaru 1:41:55.1
- Paul Bird/Ian Windress Subaru 1:42:29.5
- Marcus Dodd/Andrew Bargery Hyundai 1:44:20.7
- Jon Ingram/Ian Allsop Ford Focus 1:45:41.9
- Tony Davies/Patrick Walsh Subaru 1:46:40.7
- Steve Fleck/Tony Ettlinger Subaru 1:47:10.4
- David Kynaston/Andy Russell Audi 1:47:24.8
- Robert Watson/Robert Fagg Vauxhall Nova 1:49:33.8
ANCRO Championship Standings (Provisional)
- Anthony Willmington 47 points
- Marcus Dodd 44 points
- Tony Thompson 44 points
- Roger Duckworth 42 points
- Steve Perez 41 points
- Barry Johnson 41 points
- Paul Bird 40 points
- Wyn Humphreys 40 points
- Richard Gower 35 points
- Alistair Tough 34 points