Keith Cronin has won the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship title for the second time in his career, finishing second in a curtailed Cork 20 International Rally.
Three wins (Galway, West Cork and Ulster) to Callum Devine’s two (Killarney and Donegal) gave Ford Fiesta Rally2 pilot Cronin and co-driver Mikie Galvin the edge heading into the season finale.
Simply shadowing the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 of title rival Devine and co-driver Noel O’Sullivan would be enough for Cronin to add to his 2016 success – but in monsoon conditions that would be easier said than done.
The two championship contenders were closely matched through the opening stages – Devine leading by just 1.5 seconds at first service.
However a moment on SS4 allowed Devine to extend his lead to over 10s, which he added to again on SS5 to lead Cronin by 12.1s.
Cronin then stole a few seconds back from Devine on SS6 as the crews returned to service, but due to the adverse weather conditions the event organizer elected to abandon the final loop of two stages and declare the results after SS5.
Since more than 50% of the event was completed, full championship points were awarded and Cronin succeeded Devine as the Irish Tarmac champion – despite the pair tying on points.
Matt Edwards, who won the Circuit of Ireland earlier in the year, rounded out the final podium of the season, two spots ahead of WRC2 regular Josh McErlean.
The Škoda driver had been expected to fly in Cork but a hairy spin on SS1 followed by a puncture on SS2 ruined any hopes of a stronger result.
