Donagh Kelly and Kevin Flanagan secured an excellent 3rd overall and 1st in Group N at the 2009 FM Contracts Down Rally, round nine of the Hankook MSA Northern Ireland Rally Championship.

The Donegal crew started SS1 quickly and set fastest time in Group N, 30 seconds quicker than championship rival Raymond Johnston with Neil McCance retiring with transmission problems.

They had a good cut on SS2 as well with another fastest time and when they arrived into service a little bit of pressure had been lifted off Donagh’s shoulders as Raymond Johnston had also retired from the rally.

They went out to the next loop of stages and took them “nice and steady” and set two more fastest times in Group N and at the half way point the KN Networks Evo 9 was 20 seconds in front of Enda McNulty/Ronan O’Kane.

On the next loop of stages Donagh and Kevin dropped a bit of time to Enda McNulty and told us at service “I’m going to have to push over stage seven” as the lead was down to 12 seconds with 2 stages left.

Over the final two tests Donagh and Kevin push on and took 13 seconds off Enda McNulty/Ronan O’Kane so the Group N victory was theirs by 25 seconds. The crew lead Group N from start to finish and also stayed in 3rd overall for the whole rally as well.  At the finish Donagh said “After we do a bit of marshalling next Saturday, we have the championship; Trying to keep a steady pace was difficult this afternoon. We went out on the last two stages to push on a bit. Sometimes it’s easier to drive that way!”

The Sunoco Fuels Group N championship at present looks like this; Donagh Kelly on 73 points, Raymond Johnston on 66 points and Neil McCance on 60 points with 15 points up for grabs on the final round in Antrim. Donagh needs a top 3 finish in Group N to secure the title of Group N Champion but it will be a very tough rally in Co.Antrim forests and anything could happen.

Thanks again to the 2009 sponsors, KN Network Services, Donnelly Bros. Dungannon, Prime Tyres and Swan Plant Hire and for there continued support, Shell Racing Fuels, Pirelli Tyres and Vehicle Services Motorsport.