John wins Circuit in dramatic style

Waring, driving a Ford Escort Mk II, snatched victory on the final stage after Kenny McKinstry’s Subaru Impreza, which had been leading going into the final stage at Cornoonagh Hill, caught fire.

But there was some joy for the McKinstry family as Kenny’s daughter, Emma, finished second alongside co-driver Kenny Hull, just 12.3 seconds behind Waring.

Kenny is contesting the MSA UK national gravel championship this year but with the Circuit so close to his home base in Banbridge, the former Tarmac and NI champion couldn’t resist the temptation to take part again. His focus will now return for that, while for Emma her second place will give her something to build on for the rest of the year.

Rallying sensation Stuart Biggerstaff, who has been the sensation of this year’s NI championship with second and third places on the first two rounds despite having only competed on one rally before the series began, was there in the S9 Subaru usually driven by his dad Denis, a two-time NI champion.

But he had to settle for eighth place in the end alongside Francis Reagan, a total of 3:43.3 behind Waring.

In the International section Derek McGarrity secured his fourth 'Circuit' victory, while navigator James McKee will etch his name on the prestigious roll of honour for the first time.

McGarrity has registered for the 2010 Citroen Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, so he also secures maximum points in the series.

Gareth MacHale and Brian Murphy had to settle for second. After a troubled start, they fought their way through the order, finishing 33.5 seconds adrift of the winners.

Third placed Alastair Fisher and Marshall Clarke can be extremely proud of what was an astonishing drive in their production category Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9. It was 11 years ago that Alastair's late uncle, the famous Bertie Fisher, sealed his third victory on the event.

For a time, it looked as though Alastair may have been on course to follow in his uncle's footsteps but today's dry weather saw the powerful World Rally Car crews close the gap. When Fisher lost time with a puncture, it was all over, and he was forced to settle for third.

Aaron MacHale and Eugene O'Donnell recovered from their stage one incident to take fourth. Richard Cathcart and Martin Brady had been on course for fourth but they retired less than one mile from the finish of the final stage with mechanical trouble.

With Cathcart out of the event, Daragh O'Riordan and Tony McDaid completed the top five, while Neil McCance and Sean Ferris completed the top six in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9.

The Banbridge district hosted part of the rally once again this year with Solitude Park playing host to a regroup area, with the general public able to meet the drivers.

A marathon 18 mile (29km) night-time stage was the centrepiece of this Easter’s Circuit of Ireland Rally, held just to the south of Banbridge.

For pictures from the rally and the regroup see the centre pages of this week’s Leader.