Wilson wins Rally Ireland.
Youngster Matthew Wilson emerged on top of the pile to take victory in Rally Ireland, as the son of M-Sport boss Malcom Wilson produced a dominant display in his Ford Focus WRC to take a commanding win on the two day event.
Jointly sponsored by Failte Ireland and the Northern Ireland Events Company, the aim of Rally Ireland is to ensure that Ireland is included as a round of the World Rally Championship from 2007 on.
Youngster Matthew Wilson emerged on top of the pile to take victory in Rally Ireland, as the son of M-Sport boss Malcom Wilson produced a dominant display in his Ford Focus WRC to take a commanding win on the two day event.
Jointly sponsored by Failte Ireland and the Northern Ireland Events Company, the aim of Rally Ireland is to ensure that Ireland is included as a round of the World Rally Championship from 2007 on.
"This pilot event exceeded our expectations and we are very happy overall," rally promoter Sean O'Connor said. "The feedback from our international visitors has been most positive."
Co-promoter Ronan Morgan was equally pleased with the way the event had progressed and stated his belief that it was a solid start in the quest to have a round of the WRC in Ireland.
"We have achieved a great deal in a short period of time," he said. "While we are not complacent, we know we have a very solid foundation to work on in our bid to have Ireland included in the World Rally Championship."
Wilson took a comfortable victory over the twelve stage event as he came home 4mins 55.2secs ahead of Eamonn Boland, who like Wilson, was at the wheel of a Focus WRC, Dubliner Gareth MacHale took the final podium place in a Toyota Corolla WRC.
Swede Daniel Carlsson - who scored points for the works Peugeot WRC team on Rally Japan while standing in for Markko Martin - finished in fourth place on the overall leaderboard, and won the Group N Production category in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7, despite picking up a 30 second penalty for a jump start on stage ten.
The WRC regular was fulsome of his praise of the event.
"There is no reason why Ireland should not be in the World Championship," he said.
Another WRC regular, Freddy Loix finished fifth in the diminutive, two-wheel drive Suzuki Ignis Super 1600, with Sean Devine rounding out the top six in his Subaru Impreza.
Results - Rally Ireland:
1. Matthew Wilson Ford Focus WRC 2hrs 01mins, 07.0secs
2. Eamonn BolandFord Focus WRC +04mins 55.2secs
3. Gareth MacHaleToyota Corolla WRC +06mins 04.3secs
4. Daniel CarlssonMitsubishi Lancer Evo 7 +07mins 16.4secs
5. Freddy LoixSuzuki Ignis Super 1600 +09mins 35.3secs
6. Sean Devine Subaru Impreza WRC +10mins 36.2secs
