Warren impresses in Wexford but unlucky Stage 13 denies him podium finish
John Warren and Ruthann O'Connor in their McHale Fusion 4 Plus Fiesta.
Motorsport: John Warren underlined his growing stature in Irish Rallying with a standout display at last weekend's Wexford Stages Rally, recording a dozen top four times with the highlight coming with his maiden stage win on stage 10.
The design engineer from McHale Engineering, accompanied in his McHale Fusion 4 Plus Ford Fiesta Rally2 by his codriver Ruthann O’Connor, previously showcased their impressive speed, most notably at the Monaghan Stages Rally, Circuit of Munster Rally and Carlow Stages Rally where the South Mayo husband and wife team recorded Top 10 finishes, but a career milestone was achieved by claiming a first stage fastest time on the winding Wexford roads.
The pair dedicated the stage win to the late Martina McHale, who recently passed away. “She was probably our biggest fan and supporter” said Ruthann.
“She was not only an employer but a close personal friend whose influence is seen across the team who have built McHale into the company it is today,” added John.
Heading into the overnight halt, John and Ruthann were delighted to be holding third place overall after the first day of the 200km event, as persistent mixed weather and heavy downpours had hampered a large number of the 100 crews on wrong tyre choices and reduced driving visibility.
But elation quickly turned to deflation on day two, as on stage 13 of the 18 stage event, while still sitting in third place, the pair ran wide and clipped a stone imbedded in the clay bank on the outside of a corner, damaging the suspension in the rear of the M-Sport built Fiesta.
“Just the cruellest way to end the event, but despite not finishing it was probably the most enjoyable event to date we’ve had in the car,” said John Warren.
“While I feel bad not achieving our first overall podium finish, we will regroup and go again. It was only a small suspension part that ended our event, the car actually drove out of the stage but would not have been possible to continue at rally speed,” added Warren who thanked the IN Sport team for preparing the car, Westtyre for their support, and Ruthann on the pacenotes.
Cork’s Daniel Cronin and Padraig O’Donovan secured victory in their Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 ahead of the second placed Ford Fiesta Rally2 of Donegal’s Ryan McHugh and James McBrearty.
