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RALLY NEWS
NO.12 Service..Craigswalls..Midnight Sat.
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 17 ABBEY ST.BATHANS
1st (2) Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas (V/hall Astra) 1.32.53.9
2nd (1) Tapio Laukkanen/Kaj Lindstrom (VW Golf) 1.33.41.9
3rd (4) Jarmo Kytolehto/Arto Kapanen (Coupe) 1.34.54.6
4th (3) Neil Wearden/Trevor Agnew (V/hall Astra)1.35.33.6
5th (5) Justin Dale/Andrew Bargery (Peugeot) 1.36.22.7
6th (17) Neil Simpson/Mike Gibson (Lancer N) 1.36.55.6
7th (15) Martin Rowe/Chris Wood (Ford Puma) 1.38.32.6
8th (16) Niall McShea/Michael Orr (Saxo) 1.38.46.6
9th (24) Guy Anderson/Dave Taylor (Lancer N) 1.39.09.2
10th (11) Marko Ipatti/Kari Kajula (Lancer N) 1.39.36.3
11th (22) Dave Wood/Les Waterfall (Impreza N) 1.40.38.2
12th (25) Keith Robathan/Duncan McIntosh (Lan.N)1.40.59.2
Stage 17, Abbey St.Bathans, was always going to be a very important
stage on this 2nd leg of the SEAT Jim Clark Rally. It is a long
test, in total darkness, and would give a fair indication of
the form for the long time to come. The top drivers were very
aware of this, and it was the 2 Vauxhalls that were quickest
from the Volkswagen, with Neil Simpson a stunning 4th fastest
overall in his DGM Lancer. Mark HIggins in particular was
very relieved that Tapio Laukkanen in particular did not take
any time back over that Abbey St.Bathans test. Mark said "Yes,
it was a make or break stage, very important to us, I thought
Tapio could have taken time but he didn't". The VW driver
Tapio said "I don't think we can catch Mark now, OK it is
a long way to go and we will keep trying". Tapio went
on to say that he had clipped a stone about one mile from the
stage finish, and one of his Pirelli tyres had developed a slow
puncture, but he didn't reckon it had cost any time. When
Kytolehto arrived into the regroup control, he immediately had
a quick look under the bonnet, apparently the "alternator
not making power, lights OK in stage but now battery flat".
Neil Simpson was very calm about that fastest gpN time, co-driver
Mike Gibson saying "Well, we went hard, used most of the
road plus". Martin Rowe was 10s faster than McShea.
Ford Puma driver Martin said "Enjoyed that stage, some real
nice flowing stuff". McShea reported "Kept it
tidy but flat out". Marko Ipatti felt he had a good
run and his lights were better. Nik Elsmore is starting to set
much quicker times, Nik playing about with tyre choice. Stuart
McQueen struggled in the dark and had a slowish time. Jock Armstrong
had moved up to 13th after stage 16 but had to stop and change
a puncture on SS17. Rory Galligan continues to lead the Peugeot
Super 106 Cup contenders and is now knocking on the door of the
top 15. Rory tells us he has had some small gear linkage problems
from the start, and also that his engine feels down on power,
but still reasonably happy. Max McKillen has speed up tonight
and has set a fastest Super 106 Cup time, but is still down the
order. Seamus Donnelly was quickest on SS17. David Higgins juggled
with all sorts of fuses, switches and wires to get his Peugeot
going after fuel/lift pump problems, but has lost over 20 mins.
In the National part of the rally Lyall has built up a lead from
Andrew Wood with Neil Buckley 3rd despite his gpN car giving
some brake fade worries. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON |
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