Garry Jennings continued his winning streak with a victory at the Campbell Contracts May Day Rally on Monday afternoon at St Angelo.
The victory is his third win in four rallies, after winning the Tour of the Sperrins, the Manx Rally in the Isle of Mann and now the Enniskillen May Day. While two weeks ago he came second at the Circuit of Ireland Rally.
Jennings was a late entry for Monday’s event but winning on his home patch was enjoyable, said the Kesh man.
“It’s good to go and see local supporters and I think it’s important to go and see the local events. It’s a big day for Enniskillen Motor Club and it was good to get a day out.”
Jennings and co-driver Dale McGettigan found the going ‘comfortable’ to finish 9.6 seconds ahead of runner-up, Donegal’s Aaron McLaughlin, in their Ford Fiesta Rally2, while well-known Fintona driver, Derrick Jobb was in the passenger seat to direct another veteran, Derek McGarrity to third overall in their R5 Volkswagen Polo.
“I was pretty comfortable, I hit a bale on one of the stages and dropped a bit of time but then I felt very confident on a dry day because there was plenty of grip on the surface. We had a good day’s racing,” said Jennings.
“It’s a testing event. There’s a lot of damage done there today because the grip and the speed is so high, but I’m delighted to get through it pretty unscathed and I’ll look forward to the next rally now.”
Gary Jennings and his co-driver Dale McGettigan enjoy their ice lollies during a break between stages.
Jennings is out again in Derry on May 24 for the Maiden City Rally followed by the Cavan Stages Rally the next day, Sunday May 25.
Ballinamallard duo, Caolan McKenna and Jamie Beatty also secured a top-ten position, finishing ninth overall, in a time of 28:19.1 minutes.
In the historic 2WD Class 1, Trillick’s Ronan and Eimear Campbell took the win in their Ford Escort MK II, while Killadeas Derek Robinson and co-driver Jamie McLaughlin were second in the same class in their Talbot Sunbeam.
Meanwhile, Tempo’s Damian and Cathan Campbell were 17th overall and third in class six in their Mk II Ford Escort, while Enniskillen’s Darren McGuinness and co-driver Philip Donohoe were 19th overall and first in class eight in their Subaru Impreza.
Fivemiletown’s Shane McGirr rolled back the years by bringing his famous ‘Scrap Box’ Toyota Starlet out of retirement, finishing 27th overall with Cara McGirr on the notes.
Ballinamallard’ Karl Fallis and Lisa McBarron came home 30th overall and third in class four in their Hinda Civic, while Ben Fallis, who had Louise McBarron in the passenger seat, was 32nd overall in his Nissan Micra Kitcar and first in class three, with Lisbellaw’s William Graham and co-driver Jonathan McAleer second in the same class.
Tempo’s Ruairi and Ellie McGarrity finished 35th overall in their Peugeot 106.
Full results available via rallyscore.net.
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