Austin MacHale has won the International Rally of Wales today [Sunday], round one of the 2005 Kwik Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship.
MacHale beat Sebastian Ling by 2 minutes 17.7 seconds, after winning two of the three stages on the final day. The rally though was eventful with the top three places being held by six different drivers through the course of the event.
MacHale took the lead at the end of Saturday on the final test, after Mark Higgins was forced to retire with gearbox problems.
Higgins had dominated the first day, winning four of the day's five tests to establish over a 2 minute lead, until he was forced out in his Ford Focus. His Stobart team-mate Matthew Wilson, briefly took over at the head of the pack, before an accident which resulted in the stage being abandoned. Wilson and his co-driver were then taken to hospital and were treated for their injuries which were primarily broken bones.
"I went cautiously today to keep the car for Killarney next weekend," said MacHale. "Matthew and Scott in hospital makes it a slightly hollow victory but I'm still well pleased. The Welsh stages were good as usual."
Jon Ingram meanwhile was third with Rory Galligan - the Production winner - fourth.
Gareth MacHale came in fifth, while Stuart Jones was sixth in his Mitsubishi Lancer, and second in the Production category.
Conrad Rautenbach won the Super 1600 category, finishing 14th overall, although he was the only driver in the 'junior' category. The F2 win went to Robbie Dale, 20th overall, 43 seconds ahead of his nearest rival.
In total 25 cars were classified at the finish, 37 having started the event on Saturday. Among the retirees in addition to Wilson and Mark Higgins, was his brother, David Higgins, John Lloyd, Stephen Petch and Natalie Barratt.
"Overall the event went very well. We were extremely lucky with the weather – sunshine during the day and showers at night kept the dust down which was a problem last year," summed up clerk of the course, Sue Sanders-Peppitt.
"I'd like to thank and praise the marshals for all the work they did on all the stages and the service area, including champion co-driver Nicky Beech. It's lovely to see a competitor supporting the sport.
"We send our best wishes to Matthew and Scott for their recovery. Our stage commander, rally control and event rescue services worked well as a team in response to the incident involving car 3 [Wilson & Martin] and all those involved are to be commended. We followed MSA guidelines and event procedures. It's never nice to have to put emergency procedures into practice but it's good to see that they worked.
"The people of Dolgellau have been really helpful. The closing off the square to host the event worked very well and was a big contributor to the fantastic atmosphere. It also helped to run the International Rally of Wales with the National events {Panaround and Gwynedd]. Sharing resources means that we have a strong field and make a great event by combining resources."
The next event in the BRC is the Pirelli International Rally, which runs from May 20-21.
