No gear lever – no problem for Allen and Kane

Tralee-based co-driver Mark Kane had an interesting day alongside Philip Allen on Saturday.

The crew was contesting the Pacenotes Rally Magazine Kirkistown Stages which was the opening round of The McGrady Insurance Motorsport UK Northern Ireland Rally Championship

Driving a Hyundai i20 R5, they set second-fastest time on stage one, only to lose time on the second test with an off-road excursion which dropped them to sixth overall.

However, worse was to follow and halfway through the the gear lever their Hyundai came off in Allen’s hand and they dropped to 23^rd overall. They did recover over the latter stages to finish 19^th.

Further outings in the Northern Ireland Rally Championship are possible – the next round is the Bishopscourt Stages on March 7.

Meanwhile, Kane will tackle the Abbeyleix Hotel Rally, as a driver, next Sunday, in a hired Subaru Impreza.