Kilrea's McCloskey becomes youngest NI Pacenotes champ
Thursday, 6 November 2008
Newly crowned NI champions Conor McCloskey and Francis Regan, during the Toor Head stage at this year's Townparks Glens of Antrim Rally.
DEREK McGarrity and James McKee may have won Saturday's Townparks Glens of Antrim Rally, but it was 22-year-old Kilrea man Conor McCloskey and partner Francis Regan who walked away with the prestigious 2008 Pacenotes MSA Northern Ireland Rally Championship crown.
McCloskey finished 14 seconds adrift of McGarrity but more importantly, 4.5 seconds in front of championship rivals, Sean Devine and Damien Duffin, ensuring he became the youngest ever Northern Ireland rally champion!
It was a close fought affair throughout the eight stage event, which was held on closed roads in County Antrim, and there was never any more than 6.5 seconds separating the two title contenders!
"I can't believe it", said a jubilant McCloskey after the finish. "I was a bit nervous on Saturday morning but I found the Impreza easier to drive than the Focus. It was a good race all year so it's good to get it - first class! The best about it is we went testing on the Friday morning on the road was white with frost - I wasn't sure if I was going to get a run in her or not!"
"We all went out with Sean (Devine) for a bit of craic on Saturday night," McCloskey continued. "We sort of made an agreement in the pub that we'd go to Bournemouth in February for the Sunseeker Rally, so there could be an influx of Irish over there next year!"
As expected, Sean Devine and Damien Duffin were disappointed at the finish but congratulated McCloskey on winning the title. In true sportsmanship style, they joined the winning team in their celebrations on Saturday evening.
The 2008 Pacenotes MSA Northern Ireland Rally Championship prizegiving will take place at the Seagoe Hotel, Portadown, on Saturday, January 24. Tickets cost £30 but award winners receive one complimentary ticket for the event, which will feature a meal, raffle and live entertainment.
The 2009 championship will get underway a few weeks later, starting with Kirkistown Race Circuit's Eurocables Stages. More information will be announced in due course on the website at www.nirally.com.
