Another top three production category finish at this year's Ordnance Survey Ireland Killarney Rally of the Lakes ensured Cookstown's John McGlaughlin stayed well in contention for the 2008 Global Group Irish Tarmac Championship Group N title!
 
Navigated by Crawford Henderson, the McGlaughlin's Bakery backed Mitsubishi Lancer pilot claimed 10th overall and second placed Group N points after a challenging two-day event in County Kerry!
 
"I knew I needed to pick up points from the event," McGlaughlin said afterwards, "so when we nearly went off the road twice during the first stage, it really shook me up. I started thinking far too much about the championship and took my eye off the rally."
 
Combined with wrong tyre choices throughout the Saturday stages, John found himself struggling in a lowly 11th position among his fellow class runners. He was in need of a major boost so when the Cookstown man found himself on the perfect combination of Kumho Tyres for Saturday's final two stages, he jumped into fifth position in Group N!
 
"I just couldn't get over the first stage until the end of the day," McGlaughlin said. "But we had a good push over the final two stages and it proved the pace was there. That was what I needed before Sunday's stages."
 
With a slender eight second advantage over the chasing pack, John concentrated on building his advantage during the second and final day. The Sunoco Fuels Lancer continued to set some top times, and soon John found himself fourth among the Group N contenders.
 
"We had a really good day on Sunday," John said, "although we were very lucky at one point. The rear differential blew at the finish line of a stage, but luckily we were going to service. So we were able to get it fixed and continue with no time loss."
 
John continued his superb comeback drive and before the end of the day, he had moved into third position. Only one crew in front were registered for championship points, so the Ears.ie and Hilltop Fuels crew claimed second place among the championship runners!
 
"We achieved what we set out to do!" John enthused. "Now we're fourth overall in championship terms and second in Group N - just one point behind the leaders. It's a great position to be in and I'm over the moon! Now I'm really looking forward to the Jim Clark Rally and Donegal!"
 
The Jim Clark Rally marks the fourth round of the championship, and John will travel to Scotland for the event which takes place on 23-25 May.