Alastair Fisher in the Driving Seat at the Galway International Rally
With Alastair Fisher Motorsport set up and ready for the Galway International Rally, we got to cover the event from start to finish.
Speaking with Alastair he gave us an exclusive run-down on the event:
"We were running in a consistent 4th position overall on Saturday with the day finishing strong with three 2nd quickest times on the bounce to sit 10 seconds off the podium.
It was a shock to the system to jump back in at the deep end but we had been building our speed as the day progressed in what were some of the wettest and most treacherous conditions I have ever competed in. Despite the bad weather the fields and ditches were lined with spectators. Sunday didn't start as strong with a steamed-up window on SS10 due to the floods, we then suffered a puncture on the following stage which in turn caused an overshoot, we opted to stop and change due to still having 12km of the stage to travel.
This dropped us down the leader board which resulted in a 6th place overall finish in the international event, not ideal but that's rallying.
Looking forward we have taken confidence from improved set up tweaks on Sunday afternoon and just feeling more at home with driving, this helped us step up our speed and commitment with more ease which gives us a platform to build on.
In the coming weeks Gordon and I will be working on refining our pace notes further to suit the new car and with MEM on car setup etc, ahead of the next round on the West Cork Rally in Clonakilty on the 19/20th of March."
Galway International Rally Top Ten:
1. Josh Moffett – Andy Hayes (Hyundai i20 R5) // 1:46:40.8s
2
2. Meirion Evans – Jonathan Jackson (Volkswagen Polo R5) // +14.1s
3
3. Callum Devine – Brian Hoy (Ford Fiesta Rally2) // +28.7
4
4. Cathan McCourt – Liam Moynihan (Fiesta Rally2) // +3:08.0
5
5. Daniel Cronin – Shane Buckley (Polo R5) // +3:48.4
6
6. Alastair Fisher – Gordon Noble (Polo R5) // +4:40.5
7
7. David Kelly – Dean O’Sullivan (Fiesta R5) // +5:07.5
8
8. Enda O’Brien – John Butler (Polo R5) // +6:05.9
9
9. Paul Barrett – Darragh Kelly (Fiesta R5) // 7:03.2
10
10. Keith Lyons – JJ Cremin (Fiesta R5) // +7:07.9
Running since 1977, The West Cork Rally has grown to becoming Ireland's premier Tarmac Rally. Run from the idyllic Clonakilty along the stunning Wild Atlantic Way, the West Cork Rally has become a core part of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship and the British Rally Championship, while still able to retain its Clubman roots. See you there!
Photography Credits:
Conor Edwards Photography, Cathal McPhillips, CIANDON, Clifford Media, CRS Pics, Dermot Kellerher, Mark McCullough, Stefan Lassus.