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The crews of the Irish National Rally Championship headed to the Carlow Stages Rally, for round four of this years championship. Last year the Group N class was won by Alan Ring on route to claiming the title in his 2006 specification Subaru Impreza from Prodrive. There was strong field of Subaru entries for this years event which included; Alan Ring, Willie Fannin, Ian Barrett, Sean Flanagan and Donal Madden.

The asphalt stages were made even challenging this year with heavy rainfall making the surface particularly slippery and hampering the cars traction. Just how difficult the conditions were was highlighted when last years winner Alan Ring was forced to retire on the liaison section to stage three, following an accident on the opening leg of stages.

Ian Barrett was the pick of the Subaru drivers, setting a top three stage time on the days opening stage and bringing his Impreza home fourth in Group N, picking up a valuable six championship points. Hot on the heels of Barrett was Willie Fannin, whose five points for fifth place moved him up to fourth in the championship standings. Sean Flanagan also recorded his best finish of the season so far, picking up three points for a seventh position finish.

The Irish National Rally Championship now moves on to round five, Cavan Stages Rally on 27 May.