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RALLY NEWS
NO.3 Equestrian Centre..Sunday 2pm
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 3
1st (1) Niall Maguire/Paul McLoughlin (Impreza) 27.26
2nd (4) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Nagle (Escort G3) 27.56
3rd (6) David Armstrong/Herbie Blackburn (Escort Cos) 28.06
4th (20) Tim McNulty/Julian Nangle (Celica GT4) 28.14
5th (10) Norman Armstrong/Ciaran Kelly (Escort) 28.42
6th (12) Mac McKenna/John Loughran (Peugeot rwd) 28.43
7th (7) Sean McArdle/Paul McCann (Celica GT4) 28.49
8th (15) Patrick Elliott/Martin Cahill (Lancer N) 28.56
9th (22) James Cole/John Clarke (Escort Cos) 28.58
10th (9) Micky McArdle/Ger McMonagle (BMW M3) 29.00
Changeable weather conditions have dominated stages 2 and 3 of
this Cavan Rally, with Niall Maguire fastest through stage 2,
and Tim McNulty quickest through stage 3. A further notable
retirement is Denis Cronin. The Bantry man was in line
to move into the lead of the Dunlop National Championship, but
unfortunately his BMW rear diff carrier sheared it's bolts.
Paul Harris, we reported stopped after stage 1, and he has not
appeared here at service. We haven't seen Joe McGurk either.
Joe came out of stage 1 with the front right mudguard crumpled.
Niall Maguire reported treacherous road conditions on stage 3.
When Niall's Subaru arrived here at service the steering column
stalks had broken off and were flapping round Niall's knees.
He joked "I'm getting too old for this". Eugene
Donnelly was having a great race with Cronin before the latter
retired. Eugene reported that the misfire which had been
bad on stage 1 was not quite so bad through stages 2 and 3.
David Armstrong is also plagued with a hesitation in his Escort
Cosworth and co-driver Herbie Blackburn reckons it's costing
them at least 10s a stage. Sean McArdle in the Toyota was
caught on the wrong tyres, but then so were most drivers!
Norman Armstrong reported his wipers springing back into action
after taking a nap on stage 1, and the gearbox is rasping but
still working. Norman showing brilliant style in these wet conditions.
Tim McNulty took the bull by the horns with that fastest time
through stage 3, quite a landmark for the Toyota driver.
Maurice Moffett seems to be missing at the end of stage 3.
Joe McHugh reckoned he made 3 wrong tyre choices for the 3 stages.
Group N is led convincingly now by local man Patrick Elliott.
Kevin Barrett felt his power steering tightening up on stage
2 but then it seemed to come good again. James Cole is worried
about his power steering pump. Mervyn Wedlock reported "We
had a very big moment on a 5 right tightens, the car aquaplaned,
I'm so glad to be here". Mick McQuaid has brake trouble
and the mechanics are going to bleed the system. James Foley
spun at the hairpin in stage 3 and lost some time. A few drivers
got held up behind Seamus Gallagher's Civic - it was stuck half
on, half off the road - nose in a ditch. Alan Nesbitt had to
push his car into service, clutch cable broke but should be OK.
Gordon Rogers looks like he is going to have to call it a day,
no 1st or 2nd cogs left in his box. Some times just outside
leaderboard - Glenn Allen 29.03: Declan Wilmott 29.30: McHugh's
29.37: Bradley 29.27: McQuaid 29.05: More later. BRIAN &
LIZ PATTERSON
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