Round three of the Valvoline Motorsport Ireland Forest Rally Championship was another dramatic affair with Owen Murphy winning his first rally of the year on the William Loughman Forest Rally which was based in Waterford and run by the Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club.

Murphy with co-driver James O'Brien (Evo9) took a dramatic final stage victory over Philip Morrow / Jonny Hart (Evo9). After being tied on total time after 8 stages, Murphy took 6 seconds out of Morrow on Stage 9 to take the win. Michael O'Brien / Greg Shinnors took the final podium place, just ahead of Dan O'Brien /Martin Brady (Focus WRC). Vincent McAree/JP McAree were fifth making a welcome return to the Valvoline.

Shane Mc Girr/Jackie Elliott (Starlet RWD) finished tenth and best 2WD again while Dean Raftery/Aileen Kelly (Civic)were once again the victorious juniors. McGirr and Raftery have tightened their grip on their relevant classes.

This year’s Valvoline Championship is the most exciting ever. This event marked the midpoint in the 2013 championship. Philip Morrow leads on 59, Mick O Brien has 58, Shane McGirr 41 and Owen Murphy 40. With bonus points added the leader board is: O Brien 76, Morrow 59, McGirr 41 Murphy 40 and Kevin Barrett 38. The next two rounds are based in the Cork towns of Mitchelstown and Mallow, with the final event in Omagh’s Bushwhacker.

Remaining rounds of Valvoline Motorisport Ireland Forestry Championship:

Sean Conlon Memorial (Mitchelstown)  June 16

Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally (Mallow)    August 18

Bushwhacker Forest Rally (Omagh)        Sept 28th