Austin McHale has become the Circuit of Ireland rally champion for the second time, after his appeal over a 20-second penalty was upheld by stewards of the Ulster Automobile Club yesterday.

When the four-day rally finished on Monday, Bertie Fisher was initially declared the winner by 19 seconds over McHale, who had been given the penalty for a rules infringement on Friday.

The successful appeal means McHale slipped past Fisher by just one second. Fisher had indicated that he would not protest if the appeal were upheld.

McHale now leads the 1998 Tarmac Championship series with two wins, with Fisher second after two second place finishes.