McHale clinches third in Welsh Bulldog Rally

23 October 2001: Austin McHale (Rathcoole) limbered up for the Rally of Great Britain with a fine third place on the Bulldog Rally in Wales on Saturday, the Toyota Ireland Corolla WRC driver chasing home Marcus Dodd and Stephen Finlay on the eight-stage event.

The event was the fourth and final round of the ANCRO British National Rally Championship, the former Tarmac Champion teaming up with regular co-driver, Brian Murphy (Athgarvon), for the event.

Despite rain and foggy conditions in unfamiliar territory and only with the use of provided pace notes, McHale – who started as number seven seed – climbed up to second place in the early stages until he was overhauled by Finlay to finish third.

Dodd, Finlay and McHale set the pace throughout, with Austin setting second fastest time on the first and last two stages and third fastest on all the others. Dodd ran out the winner in a time of 1 hour 11m 17s with Finlay second, 37 seconds adrift, and McHale 1m 5s behind Dodd.

"It was a very good event, the car ran faultlessly and I’m pleased with the result", said McHale. "It’s about 13 years since I rallied in Wales and as the Network Q Rally of GB will be based there, it was a good practice run for next month."