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RALLY NEWS
NO.8 End of stage 9...Saturday 10 am
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 9 GLEN
1st (3) Andrew Nesbitt/James
O'Brien (Impreza WRC) 1.08.19
2nd (6) Derek McGarrity/Chris Patterson (Impreza) 1.09.54
3rd (1) James Cullen/Ellen Moran (Impreza) 1.10.06
4th (2) Austin McHale/Brian Murphy (Corolla) 1.10.17
5th (5) Ian Greer/Dean Beckett (Celica) 1.10.25
6th (9) Frank Meagher/Dermot O'Gorman (Escort WRC) 1.11.01
7th (11) Daniel & Michael Doherty (Impreza) 1.11.23
8th (8) Eamonn Boland/Damien Morrissey (Impreza WRC) 1.11.57
9th (14) Hugh M Doherty/Mike Gibson (Escort WRC) 1.12.18
10th (7) Stephen Murphy/MJ Morrissey (Imreza) 1.12.31
11th (18) Peadar Hurson/Ian Porter (Escort Cos) 1.13.13
12th (24) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Nagle (Escort) 1.13.19
13th (35) Philip Shaw/Nigel Frazer (Escort) 1.14.07
14th (25) Donie & Tim O'Sullivan (Escort Cos) 1.14.21
15th (27) Cathal Rogers/Paul McLaughlin (Impreza)1.14.35
Tyre choice was the
big talking point at the end of this first Saturday stage of
the Shell Donegal International Rally. Conditions were damp,
not really wet, but certainly quite slippy. That made no
difference to rally leader Andrew Nesbitt. The Armagh man
bolted on a new set of Pirellis and set yet another fastest time,
with James Cullen 10s slower and then Daniel Doherty just 7s
back on his fellow Donegal man. Next quickest was McHale and
then it was Derek McGarrity, Glengormley man Derek was certain
in his own mind that he had picked the wrong rubber. But really
it was hard to know what was the right choice.
As Nexbitt's Cuisine de France backed Subaru stopped briefly
after the stage finish, Andrew commented "Slippy, took it
easy". As the following drivers came in one by one
and repeated their times - "Taking it easy" - took
on a different perspective! James Cullen seemed really
on top of the world at his drive through that tricky Glen stage.
Eamonn Boland reported a big spin in the village, as did Stephen
Murphy. Peadar Hurson reported sliding into a bog for oveer half
a minute on the high section before the village. Eugene Donnelly
felt that he had a terrible run, just didn't wake up at all,
and indeed it was Philip Shaw who was fastest of the 2 wheel
drive cars with a time of 9.43. Eugene and his Bio Clear
team mate Donie O'Sullivan had 9.51. Cathal Rogers in the
McKinstry Subaru had 9.48, the Limvady man reporting that the
engine seemed fine for a large part of the stage and then started
to miss out, just the same as it did all day yesterday.
Seamus Heron came through on schedule, presumably still leading
gpN with his Lancer. Of the 150 cars that started the rally
approximately 30 cars retired on day 1. Now the Historics
join the fray to again swell the numbers. Late news- Cathal Rogers
has just driven back towards service, we presume that he hasn't
tackled Atlantic Drive and has called it a day.
To reiterate our earlier message - we would ask you to remember
that Sunday stages 21/23 will not run. Again we would ask everyone
to drive and behave with consideration and safety at all times.
More later.BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON |
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