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RALLY NEWS
NO.11 Service..Saturday 10pm
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 16 - AYTON
1st (2) Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas (V/hall Astra)1.20.45.6
2nd (1) Tapio Laukkanen/Kaj Lindstrom (VW Golf) 1.21.30.8
3rd (4) Jarmo Kytolehto/Arto Kapanen (Coupe) 1.22.18.1
4th (3) Neil Wearden/Trevor Agnew (V/hall Astra)1.23.25.7
5th (5) Justin Dale/Andrew Bargery (Peugeot) 1.23.36.7
6th (17) Neil Simpson/Mike Gibson (Lancer N) 1.24.20.1
7th (16) Niall McShea/Michael Orr (Saxo) 1.25.38.9
8th (15) Martin Rowe/Chris Wood (Ford Puma) 1.25.40.9
9th (24) Guy Anderson/Dave Taylor (Lancer N) 1.25.56.9
10th (11) Marko Ipatti/Kari Kajula (Lancer N) 1.26.21.1
11th (22) Dave Wood/Les Waterfall (Impreza N) 1.27.13.1
12th (25) Keith Robathan/Duncan McIntosh(Lan.N)1.27.34.2
Mark Higgins was fastest through stage 15, Eyemouth, by just
the blink of an eye from Tapio Laukkanen, with Neil Wearden just
a further split second back. Then on stage 16 the order
was Wearden, Laukkanen, Higgins, less than one second covering
all three cars. It is fantastically tight stuff - a real
battle of the F2 giants. Rally leader Mark Higgins commented
"We're having to go bloody hard, maybe I can play it safer
in the dark". Laukkanen told us "We tried a little
bit different Pirelli tyre, it was good but I missed some braking
points. We have made many changes to the car and I am not totally
confident. It is good in its present set up and we keep it that
way, keep pushing, we have a good chance to catch Mark".
Neil Wearden was obviously pushing very hard also and told us
his Astra's power steering and brakes were giving him some feedback
and he would ask the mechanics to check everything. Neil reported
going so hard that he was on the rev limiter in 6th gear.
Jarmo Kytolehto told us here at service that he reckons the earlier
smoke from the back of the car was perhaps the exhaust burning
the sump guard, also that he had tried a softer compound tyre,
and it was feeling better on the short stages.
David Higgins reportedly had a puncture to his 106 on stage 15
and then the car stopped completely on stage 16 when the fuel
pump packed up. Unconfirmed reports suggest he has lost a lot
of time but got going. Niall McShea is now 2nd in the Super
1600 category, but looking over his shoulder at the very hard
charging Martin Rowe. McShea said "I'm into the rythym
where I am squeezing every ounce out of the car, I can't see
anywhere where I lost a second on that last stage, but Martin
Rowe was 2s faster". Former British Champion Martin
said "I'm experimenting with the traction control, its very
different, very sophisticated". Paul Griffiths/Phil
Pugh have slid their Impreza into a ditch, the marshals would
not let the spectators help and they are reportedly over max.
lateness. Jock Armstrong is moving up the order in the Golf,
now setting top 10 times.
Marko Ipatti had an overshoot ons tage 15, lost over 10s but
had a good time in stage 16. Young Ian Barrett in the Delphi
Corsa ran out of brakes on stage 13, the pedal just went to the
floor and the fluid overheated, then in SS14 the car had a very
heavy landing at the jump crossroads, there was oil smoke everywhere,
and Ian decided to back off a little, happily all is now well.BRIAN
& LIZ PATTERSON |
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