This report is reproduced from CarSport in 1984.
Francis Wins Tough Battle
The McCartney Motors Forest Rally , organised by North Ulster Car Club, could not have wished for better weather conditions. Car number one left McCartney Motors Garage, Ballymena at 10.01 a.m. on Saturday 5th May to indulge in what proved to be an extremely tough battle amongst the top seeds. The first stage being 70% tarmac and 30% loose, left the drivers with mixed feelings about tyre choice, but with a well planned service after stage one, most drivers used racing tyres and then changed to forest tyres.
After stage three the pace was being set by Dominic McNeill with David Greer biting at his heels. After stage six the scene was changing, David Francis had come to grips with his Escort RS1800 and snatched the lead over Dominic McNeill by one second.
At this stage of the rally, quite a high number of retirements had already occurred. David Francis took fastest time on stage seven. Dominic McNeill was fastest on stages eight and nine in a final bid to recapture the lead, but Francis retaliated by taking stage ten. David Greer took fastest time on the last stage to clinch third overall, and first place in class four.
Prize giving was at the Antrim Arms Hotel, and Dessie McCartney presented the silverware to the prize winners.
Results were as follows:
OVERALL RESULTS :
- David Francis & R. Burrows (RS1800) 27m 42s;
- Dominic McNeill & Paul McHugh (Escort) 27m 47s;
- David Greer & Mark Crowe, [Escort] 27m 57s;
- Kevin O’Kane & Noel Alexander, (Sunbeam) 28m 12s;
- Robin Phillips & V. Chambers, [Samba] 29m 03s;
- Ivan Marsden & Angus MacDonald, (Escort) 30m 08s;
- Ian Mawhinney & Ian Beasant, (Sunbeam) 30m 10s;
- Kenneth Moore & Des McCartney. (Chevette) 30m 13$;
- Ray McClurg & Gareth Iames, (Escort) 30m 14s;
- Alister Galloway & T. Thompson, (Escort) 30m 20s;
CLASS WINNERS were
Class 1. Robin Phillips & V. Chambers.
Class 2. Ian Mawhinney & Ian Beasant.
Class 3. David Francis & R. Burrows,
Class 4. David Greer & Mark Crowe.
