Purcell Wins As Irish Forest Series Begins In The Dark

Andrew Purcell and Mark Wiley took the spoils on the first round of the Irish Forest Rally Championship, despite a late scare in the dark.

- Maurice Malone

Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club is 60 years old this year, and to celebrate, the club decided to do something special for this year’s William Loughman Memorial event. Of the nine stages, three were held in the dark, a real sting in the tail for the competing crews, as well as a treat for spectators.

A plethora of Ford Fiesta R5s was led away by last year’s winner Josh Moffett, who blitzed through the first Faugheen test almost 13 seconds quicker than Barry McKenna. However, trouble befell Moffett on the following run through Anner, as an altercation with a rock spelt the end of his challenge.