Brendan Cumiskey and co-driver Conor Foley won the Ordnance Survey Rally of the Lakes, the third round in the 2008 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Ireland, in spectacular style last weekend, when they stormed through the final stage of the Killarney-based classic snatching victory from the grasp of Damian Tourish and Domhall McAlleny.
The two-day rally started on Saturday morning and featured nine stages south of the host town on the Bear Peninsular, followed by a further nine on Sunday east of Killarney around Macgillycuddy's Reeks, the total of which provided competitors with 257 competitive kilometres.
Of the capacity entry in the International category of 152 cars, nine were Evolution Challenge competitors, the best entry for the Irish Mitsubishi series so far this season.
The rally began with one of Ireland's most famous stages, the twisty 19 kilometres of Moll's Gap, made even more demanding by occasional showers and wet roads. Initially setting the Evo Challenge pace were the two Murphy's: Colm stopping the clock 2.8 seconds ahead of Owen, with Tom Curley third a further 48 seconds behind.
Stage two saw the leading Evo Challenge positions consolidated and, with stage three cancelled due to an accident, the first service halt of the day showed Colm Murphy ahead by an impressive 27 seconds.
The remaining Evolution Challenge drivers admitted they were being cautious of the conditions and were therefore dialling themselves in gradually, but for Liam McFall it was a case of Deja-vu, when, as it had done in round two, he entered the service area with a blown turbo, necessitating a replacement before the next loop of three stages.
Disappointingly for Owen Murphy it was also a case of history repeating itself with another retirement, when he found he could not start his car due to a damaged ECU as he attempted to leave the service area.
