The final round of the Toshiba Irish Tarmac Championship took place around the narrow bumpy roads of County Cork last weekend. Ian Greer took his Taranto De Pol Toyota Celica to Cork looking for a victory to net him Championship honours. The strong entry list contained tough opposition for Greer. Bertie Fisher brought his Toughmac Subaru Impreza, also in the line up were Frank Meagher in his Escort WRC and Andrew Nesbitt in his newly acquired Subaru Impreza WRC98. The title was a three-way battle between Greer, Fisher and Nesbitt.

From the start Greer set the pace in the Celica taking the fastest time on SS1. A slide into a bank on SS2 gave advantage to Meagher in the Escort. Meagher revelled in the damp conditions and posted fastest times on SS3 and had a 15s lead by SS7. The Escort driver lost time with an off on SS7 giving the lead back to Greer. He was closely followed by Nesbitt and Fisher with Meagher back in fifth. Greer held a 47s lead by the overnight halt in Cork.

Day two and the conditions had improved but the fast narrow roads to the north of Cork City were still slippery. Fisher posted the fastest time on the opening stage with Greer and Nesbitt tying for second place. Nesbitt was beginning to demonstrate that his familiarity was growing with his new car by setting the fastest time on the next stage. Greer and Nesbitt were now locked in battle while Fisher was out in front. Rain fell on SS14 and Nesbitt was caught out on the wrong tyres handing second place to Greer who had pulled away by 32s. Two stages remained and Greer set his sights on taking the lead from Fisher.

Fisher held a comfortable lead but on the penultimate stage he slid off the road after hitting a mud patch. The Impreza driver was out of the event handing victory to Greer. Nesbitt was content with second place in his first outing in the Subaru Impreza. Stephen Murphy brought his Escort WRC home third followed by Bob Fowden in an Escort Cosworth while Meagher had fought his way back to fifth place in his Escort WRC.

Greer returned to the finish ramp in Cork City happy in the knowledge that he had won the rally and the 1999 Toshiba Irish Tarmac Championship.

• 1 - I. Greer/D. Beckett: Toyota Celica GT4
• 2 - A. Nesbitt/J. O Brien: Subaru Impreza 555
• 3 - S. Murphy/M. Morrisey: Ford Escort WRC
• 4 - B. Fowden/J. Hynes: Ford Escort Cosworth
• 5 - F. Meagher/M. Maher: Ford Escort WRC

• Back to the Motorsport page.

Designed & hosted by caint.com