Killian McArdle stood on the top step of the podium in Laois. As McArdle and driver Eddie Doherty took the win at the Laois Heartlands mini-stages.
The pair left the event’s Portlaoise HQ seeded second on the road and opened the day with the third fastest time behind Chris O’Callaghan and Barry Meade’s similar MKII Escorts.
A fastest time on the second stage and a retirement for O’Callaghan put them within two seconds of the lead. Barry Meade would retire from the lead after an awkward one-wheel landing over a big jump, and Doherty/McArdle capitalised with another fastest time to inherit a 4.3 second lead over Declan Gallagher’s Starlet.
Further, fastest times on stages four and five had the crew entering the final stage seven seconds ahead of Gallagher.
The Milkman responded with a last-stage effort but it wasn’t enough as he’d finish 3.3 seconds behind.
Further, fastest times on stages four and five had the crew entering the final stage seven seconds ahead of Gallagher.
Alan Smyth had Monaghan’s Gary McCrudden on their notes in his Class 14 Escort. They finished fourth overall on what was a very hot day of rallying. Michael Carbin and Dean O’Sullivan were one place further back and first Class 20 in their Mitsubishi Evo.
Ashling McArdle guided Des Lyons to second in Class 11F and 25th OA. Thomas Treanor was on the notes for Graham Kelly and the Escort G4 crew finished just ahead of James McCarville and Conal McNulty.
