Caldwell/Egan photos by D HARRIGAN IMAGES
CALDWELL TAKES MAIDEN RALLY4 CLASS VICTORY ON CIRCUIT OF IRELAND
Cian Caldwell and Liam Egan took a well-executed Rally4 class win in their Peugeot 208 Rally4 on Saturday’s Circuit of Ireland Rally – a career-best for the Meath/Galway crew.
They took the class lead on stage three and managed the lead through the remaining five tests to seal a comfortable two-minute win in difficult County Tyrone conditions.
Overcoming the difficult driving conditions, made worse by heavy downpours in the late afternoon, they kept their “noses clean” to record a well-earned and deserved victory in the hotly contested Rally4 class.
It was their best result of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship so far this season after a non-finish in Galway and a third-place finish in West Cork.
It was the perfect way for Caldwell to celebrate his 20th birthday weekend.
“We had a very challenging weekend at the Circuit of Ireland with four demanding stages with a lot of driving in them,” said Caldwell.
“With the dirt being pulled out and the bad shower, it definitely didn’t help. We struggled with our pace on the first loop of stages due to being on too hard of a tyre compound but went back out for the second loop and managed to have a couple of stage wins.”
“We kept our nose clean all day and managed to win the class. Absolutely delighted with this result and a massive thanks to the Rally Academy for all their help and continued support.”
A puncture deprived Ryan MacHugh of a hat trick of Irish Tarmac Rally Championship Rally4 class victories on Saturday’s Circuit of Ireland Rally.
The Donegal-based Ford Fiesta Rally4 driver and co-driver Declan Boyle set the fastest time on five of the eight stages but the unfortunate puncture on the second stage cost the Galway International Rally and West Cork Rally class-winners over three minutes.
They recovered to finish second in class and retained the championship lead ahead of the Rally of the Lakes in May.
“We got the puncture at the start of the stage so we had to stop and change it,” said MacHugh. “But we were happy with our day – it sets up the championship.”
Keelan Grogan and Ayrton Sherlock were forced to retire after a mechanical failure on their 208 Rally4 on the opening test.
Junior World Rally Champion and current M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2 driver William Creighton spent “an enjoyable day” at the Circuit of Ireland Rally as a volunteer marshal.
Kerry Motorsport News 