Martin Taggart of Co Down has won the Lighthouse Single Stage Rally in Fethard-on-Sea. He capitalised on late spins by David James and Jimmy Lambert to jump from the third spot he had been holding going into the final stage up to top spot.

A spectacular fireworks display has marrked the end of the final tarmac rally of the twentieth century.

Will Downing reports

STAGE THREE - PROVISIONAL
 1   3 Martin Taggart     Down        Escort       10:49
 2   6 Tomás O'Rourke     Wexford     Astra        11:20
 3   1 David James        Gorey       Escort G3    11:22
 4  22 John Beresford     Clashmore   Corolla      11:34
 5  12 Sean McEvoy        Laois       Escort 2000  11:34
 6  21 Allen Tracey       Killeagh    Corolla      11:42
 7  51 Kieran O'Callaghan Cork        Corolla      11:43
 8  29 Gary McGivney      Monaghan    Escort       11:44
 9   5 Clive Williams     Wales       Escort       11:45
 9   8 Huw Jeffreys       Wales       Escort       11:45
11  10 Eamonn Murphy      Waterford   Escort       11:47
12   4 Trevor Culbert     Wicklow     Escort       11:48

    11 Jimmy Lambert      Clonmel     Escort       DNF


TOP TWENTY - PROVISIONAL
 1   3 Martin Taggart     Down        Escort 2000  31:46
 2   1 David James        Gorey       Escort 2000  32:14
 3  10 Eamonn Murphy      Waterford   Escort       33:14
 4   6 Tomás O'Rourke     Wexford     Astra 1998   33:22
 5  22 John Beresford     Clashmore   Corolla      33:37
 6  29 Gary McGivney      Monaghan    Escort       33:38
 7   5 Clive Williams     Wales       Escort       33:48
 8  21 Allen Tracey       Killeagh     Corolla     34:02
 9   4 Trevor Culbert     Wicklow     Escort       34:11
10  51 Kieran O'Callaghan Cork        Corolla      34:19
11  25 Colm Doyle         Mooncoin    Peugeot      34:23
12  45 Shay White         Newbawn     Starlet 1600 34:24
13   8 Huw Jeffreys       Wales       Escort       34:29
14  50 Alan Smithwick     Kilkenny    Escort       34:46
15  30 Michael Hickey     Newbawn     Peugeot 205  34:48
16  12 Sean McEvoy        Laois       Escort 2000  34:54
17  36 Billy Collins      Kilkenny    Escort G3    35:01
18  47 Gareth Richards    Wales       Escort       35:03
19  26 James Doherty      Slieverue   Starlet 1650 35:11
20  48 Michael McEvoy     Laois       Escort 1598  35:12

Compiled by John Dier and Will Downing

With thanks to Mark Cooper and Mickey Joe Morrissey - keep up the legwork!!!