After overcoming an incident-packed weekend, Daniel Barry from Enniskerry, together with his co-driver Mark Bowens from Castlemartr, crossed the finish line of this weekend’s RBS International Manx Rally to claim third place in round three of the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge and, in doing so, continues to lead the one-make championship for Group N (production specification) Mitsubishis.

Famous for its TT motorcycle races, the Isle of Man has become a mecca for motorsport, largely because the authorities have the ability to close public roads for racing and rallying. For Daniel, this was the first event of the season to take place on a tarmac surface, the previous rallies all held on gravel forestry tracks.

Due to the nature of the island’s roads, events on the Isle of Man have a reputation for their demanding and arduous nature, a facture that certainly applied to Daniel’s weekend!

The rally got underway on Friday night with five stages before the overnight halt and, after a good run through the opening stage, 1.5 miles through the coastal town of Port Erin, Daniel immediately found himself on the pace of the Mitsubishi front-runners.

However, on the very next stage the first of a catalogue of problems emerged, when a shock absorber became damaged - not ideal when negotiating the bumpy Manx lanes. Even so, Daniel kept everything under control, but then on stage four the rear differential stopped working and he had no choice but to drive steadily for the remainder of the evening, ending the day an uncharacteristic fifth in the Evolution Challenge standings,

With rain falling overnight, grip levels were extremely unpredictable for the first loop of three stages on Saturday morning – a factor discovered by Daniel when he slid wide on a left-hander in SS7 and clouted a steel post with the rear of his Mitsubishi. The subsequent impact removed the lights and a large proportion of the off-side rear wing, but fortunately there was no mechanical damage and the 24-year old Irishman continued, having lost only a handful of seconds in the incident.

Back in service, the team did their best to repair the car and Daniel set-off for the next three stages intent on making up for lost time. But there was more excitement to come when, in stage 11, the bolts connecting the prop-shaft to the rear differential sheared and, at the end of the stage, Daniel resourcefully fixed the problem in order to make it back to the second service halt of the day.

Still lying fifth in the Evo Challenge and, with his car now restored to full working order mechanically, if not cosmetically, Daniel decided to up the pace for the remaining three stages. On the penultimate test he moved up to fourth and, with the leader of the Mitsubishi pack delayed because of a puncture, Daniel was relieved to make it back in Douglas to finish third in the Evolution Challenge, third in the production class and an impressive eighth overall.

“What a rally”! exclaimed Daniel at the finish. “There were a number of times when I thought we were not going to make it, but we pushed on regardless and I’m delighted with the result – especially as we retain our lead of the Mitsubishi Evolution Challenge. I also have to thank the team for keeping me in the event.”

With the next event just three weeks away, the Barry Motorsport team will have their work cut-out to repair the car in time for the Severn Valley National Rally on 31st May, when the surface reverts to gravel and the forests of mid-Wales.

Daniel’s 2007 campaign is supported by: Tech-Plus, Irish Transport & Shipping, BPI Telecom, Henco under-floor heating and SC Signs.