Damian Cole scorches to victory in Ireland (From Hereford Times)

Damian Cole scorches to victory in Ireland

8:00am Monday 26th July 2010 in Sport

DAMIAN Cole and Craig Drew scorched to a tremendous victory on last weekend’s ALMC Stages in Ireland, latest round of the MSA Asphalt series.

The duo faced some tough Irish opposition, including last year's winner and local driver Michael Barrable in his 05 Focus WRC, as well as his championship rivals.

Three stages repeated three times made up the 180 kilometers that lay ahead in very changeable weather conditions, making stages very tricky.

Barrable hit the front from the word go on the opening two tests but Cole hit back on Stage three with fastest time reducing Barrable's lead to just four seconds, going into the second loop of stages, but the Swords car dealer increased his margin to 18 seconds after stage 6.

With just three tests remaining and the stages drying out, the Hereford driver started his attack, taking a massive 15 seconds off Barrable on stage 7.

He followed this up by taking another 20 on the next test with a masterful display of driving that lit up the Irish lanes to hold a 17-second advantage going into the final stage.

But there was a final drama inside the Get- Connected.com Focus WRC, when the engine suddenly died. Vital seconds were lost as they frantically tried to trace the problem. Eventually the Focus burst into life and they dropped just four seconds to win by 13 seconds.

Cole took his third consecutive victory in the Asphalt series and is now within touching distance of the title with three rounds remaining.