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RALLY NEWS
NO.5 Service...Saturday 3.45
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 7
1st (2) Eamonn Boland/Damien Morrissey (Impreza WRC) 55.26
2nd (6) Peadar Hurson/Ian Porter (Escort Cos) 56.13
3rd (1) Austin McHale/Brian Murphy (Corolla WRC) 57.03
4th (4) Michael Barrable/Dermot O'Gorman (Celica) 57.10
5th (23) Hugh Dunne/Greg Shinnors (Legacy) 58.22
6th (25) John Treacy/John Smithwick (Escort) 59.41
7th (22) Patrick Elliott/Martin Cahill (Lancer N) 1.00.27
8th (26) Eugene Ferry/John Gallagher (Escort) 1.00.47
9th (24) George Treacy/Alan Treacy (Impreza N) 1.00.55
10th (11) Dominic Loughran/Lisa Mangan (Sierra) 1.01.11
Through stages 5 and 6 Austin McHale was much faster than the
opposition and then through stage 7 Eamonn Boland clocked fastest
time, Austin McHale's Corolla suffering a small spin at a junction.
Eamonn was just 2s up on McHale on that 7th stage. Early leader
Peadar Hurson is losing ground now, as the roads dry and become
ever more grippy, the sheer grunt of the world rally cars is
telling it's own tale, and Peadar is driving his heart out to
try to keep up. He's on a losing battle now however, if the weather
stays fine. Boland commented here at service "Yes,
everything's going well, but I'm still fluffing the occasional
gearchange". McHale remarked that his Corolla is handling
a lot better but still not 100 per cent on the real quick stuff.
Of course the fact that there are 3 new struts and one old one
wouldn't be helping matters. Austin also said that when
he spun it was a sort of fast second/third gear place on to a
main road, and he just tweaked the handbrake ever so slightly.
Michael Barrable in 4th place feels his Celica is so much better
since last service, the suspension is sorted out and it's like
a new car. Fifth placed Hugh Dunne reports no problems
while John Treacy in 6th is really starting to get his Mk2 Escort
into the groove, its a long while since John has done a rally.
Patrick Elliott continues to lead gpN from George Treacy in the
Subaru. Eugene Ferry in 8th place says he can do nothing
about the flying John Treacy. While Dominic Loughran is holding
station in 10th. Tom Holton did not appear into service after
stage 7, Sean Keenan drove in before the first OO car, obviously
retiring the Corsa because of a mechanical problem.
Roy White had a grin from ear to ear as he steered his new gpN
Lancer into service, he is really settling in to the lovely new
car, but he has still a bit to go as regards the times, almost
20s off Elliott's pace through that 7th stage. Ted Johnston has
reportedly rolled his Lancia Delta. Francis Corrigan reports
the front differential going on his Lancer. Fergal Allen is going
well, but did lose some time in stage 4 when a turbo pipe came
loose, fortunately there were lots of downhill bits! And Fergal
says he's dying for a pint!! Peter McCullagh reports a
loose front strut in his Escort Cos. More later.BRIAN & LIZ
PATTERSON
On the Dogleap, NI Champions rally, Biggerstaff leads Hogg from
Gillen, Moore rolled stage 1 |
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