Denning records historic win in Irish Rallycross
PATRICIA Denning made history in Irish motor sport when she became the first female driver ever to score an outright win in Rallycross after she won the Super Final in the latest round in Tynagh, Co Galway on Sunday.
Originally from Rathfarnham, Denning currently leads the Rally Car Class with just two rounds in Mondello Park remaining and she took another big step towards the crown last weekend when she won the Rally Car Final.
And she delivered another great performance in the Super Final, overtaking the likes of Peter McGarry, Lloyd Spendlove and Pearse Browne to take the victory.
“I was delighted with myself because I had to start fifth on the grid, I didn’t secure pole for this race,” Denning told The Echo.
“I just concentrated on catching the next car in front of me and that way I just picked my way through the field.
“Rallycross is a fast and furious race that is run on both tarmac and the loose and my car handles well on the loose.
“You don’t have 20 minutes to work out everything, the race is over after five or six minutes so you have to decide quickly where you’re going to try and overtake,” she said.
The Denning name is synonymous with success in Irish motorsport.
Indeed, her two brothers Liam and John have previously captured Fiat Uno and Fiesta Championship honours.
Double Parts for Cars National champion Derek Tohill was an early casualty with gearbox problems on his Fiesta during the qualifying heats, but with four wins already this year, he is still on course for a hat trick of titles with two rounds left.
TAGS Sport
