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RALLY NEWS
NO.3 Service/Mitchelstown/Saturday 11.30am
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 2
1st (2) Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Subaru WRC) 19.22
2nd (1) Ian Greer/Dean Beckett (Corolla WRC) 19.25
3rd (4) Frank Meagher/Dermot O'Gorman (Focus WRC) 19.36
4th (6) Donal O'Donovan/MJ Morrissey (Celica) 20.00
5th (3) Austin McHale/Joe Downey (Corolla WRC) 20.06
(5) Kenny McKinstry/Sean Mullally (Subaru WRC)
20.06
7th (14) Niall McShea/Michael Orr (Saxo) 20.46
8th (9) Frank O'Mahony/Hugh McPhillips (Subaru) 20.55
9th (18) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Nagle (Escort G3) 21.02
(24) Roy White/Des Cooney (Lancer N) 21.02
Ian Greer was fastest through stage 2 in his new Corolla WRC,
4s faster than Cross Refrigeration man Andrew Nesbitt. Andrew
said "It was the slippiest stage, without a doubt, that
I have driven this year, and I backed off". Ian Greer
remarked "It was so slippy in there, we nearly spun 2 or
3 times and exiting junctions it was wheelspin all the way".
Incidentally, Ian's co driver Dean Beckett, got an official leave
of absence from court jury service to appear here on the rally!
Third placed Frank Meagher said "We were on the right tyres
I think, felt I would have been quicker in there. Mind you there's
lot of marks into the ditches where people have been skidding
off". Kenny McKinstry was slightly upset having hit
a cat in the stage, Kenny saying "It happened so quick,
very unfortunate, and I think it has dislodged something underneath,
there was a funny noise from under the car and we slowed off
a bit". Co driver Sean Mullally was last seen wandering
around the service area muttering something about "pussy".....
Austin McHale is still extremely worried about his Corolla's
slipping clutch, and reckons it is going to be difficult to get
anything sorted.
In group N Roy White almost blotted his copybook when he put
the FESP backed Lancer up a bank for many seconds, but still
held on to the category lead. Seamus Heron had a really
good time in stage 2, to hold 2nd in the category on 21.06, Nigel
Hickland is on 21.28, Gerry McVeight 21.48 and Phil Morgan 22.53.
Liam Davis is having a good run so far on 21.36.
Some other times include - Sean McArdle on 21.53, reckons his
Toyota is down on turbo boost as well as having a flickering
oil light. Johnny O'Sullivan is on 21.25 despite a severe misfire.
John Dempsey 21.34 following yet another spin. Tom Randles, being
very cautious, with 22.04. Michael Walsh, a new engine and 6
speed box in his Escort, is way off the pace with 23.15, can't
get the power down at all. Max McKillen in the Puma has 23.27
and is finding the little Ford very difficult to drive, a new
differential fitted seemingly much too tight. In the Ford Ka
Championship John O'Dowd would appear to be leading after the
first stage with 11.08, cross channel man Wolfenden is also on
11.08. Barry Barrable 11.18. More news to follow..BRIAN AND LIZ
PATTERSON |
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