IRISH RALLYCROSS REPORT

Series veteran Tohill takes Supercar honours in opening Mondello Park round of the new season

Organiser: Mondello Park Sports Club When: February 5 Where: Mondello Park, County Kildare Championships: Round 1 of Parts for Cars National Championship. Starters: 48.

Derek Tohill opened his Irish Rallycross title defence in style, with his Ford Fiesta unbeaten throughout the day.

Nearest challenger Noel Greene’s Mitsubishi Mirage never got closer than 11s during the four-lap heats and 18s in the finals.

Tohill was delighted with the newly rebuilt car’s performance, with its Mountune engine now uprated to 2016 WRX specification.

These two were the only Supercars present and former champion Willie Coyne’s Vauxhall Corsa headed the two-wheel-drive pursuit in the feature race to finish 4s behind Greene.

The spectacular Tommy Graham, another ex-title holder, brought out his famous Ford Escort Mk2 and finished fourth after a tremendous demonstration of sideways motoring.

Despite only managing second place behind Graham in their semi-final, Coyne controlled the Modified Final, holding off a determined assault from the similar Vauxhall Corsa of Padraig Leeson. Leeson had won the other semi-final ahead of Lloyd Spendlove’s Lotus Exige.

In the Production class, Ciaran Murphy was the one to beat in his Peugeot 205, closely chased by Keith Kerrshaawe in the final, with this duo each winning their semi-final. Damien Farrell headed a close three-way fight for third.

Danny Calnan’s Vauxhall Corsa ran away with the Rally Car Final, with 13s in hand over the rather elderly Vauxhall Nova of Thomas O’rafferty.

Sean Hession had a winning debut in the Fiesta Zetec Final, with another first-timer, Jyles Harding, taking the honours in the Junior Final.

Best of the Buggies was autocross champion Padraic Mchale.