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RALLY NEWS
NO.4 Service/Craigswalls/Friday 10.45pm
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 5 - THE MOON & THE STARS
1st (3) Neil Wearden/Trevor Agnew (V/hall Astra) 26.14.1
2nd (1) Tapio Laukkanen/Kaj Lindstrom (VW Golf) 26.22.5
3rd (2) Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas (V/hall Astra) 26.32.8
4th (4) Jarmo Kytolehto/Arto Kapanen (Coupe) 26.45.5
The above times are from the first few cars only - stage 4 was
interrupted when Jonny Milner's Toyota developed a rear wheel
puncture, the flailing rubber perhaps breaking a fuel line.
Anyway, the car went on fire, and indeed set the hedge alight
as well. Neil Simpson stopped with the stricken Toyota
and gave Jonny his fire extinguisher and then reported the incident
to the next radio point. The following cars were stopped/re-routed.
Neil lost a bit of time trying to help Jonny so we must wait
and see if he receives the time of the car in front. We
are still waiting for the arrival of the cars running behind
Simpson.
Out at the front of the rally, Neil Wearden was fastest through
stages 4 and 5, the Vauxhall driver telling us "We're taking
nothing for granted, our pace does feel comfortable, but we'll
take it one step at a time, especially after what happened here
last year". Neil's Vauxhall team mate Mark Higgins observed
"Everything feels nice, I feel as if I'm driving well, but
the times are not there. I'm a bit baffled to be honest, but
fair play to Neil". Tapio Laukkanen tells us "We
are still having some problems with the rear suspension of the
Golf, we need to change the set up a little here at service".
Jarmo Kytolehto is driving a light weight Coupe for this event,
Jarmo changed to a different tyre compound at the rear for stages
4 and 5, and once he got used to the new set up,was quite pleased
with his progress.
In the Super 1600 category, David Higgins was fastest through
stage 5, his fellow Peugeot pilot Justin Dale fastest through
stage 4. Higgins commented "I haven't driven the 106
very much on tarmc, I'm still feeling my way". Justin Dale's
total is now 27.25.1, David Higgins is on 27.43.2. Niall McShea
having had a stage 5 spin and still some power steering problems
with the Saxo, is on 27.50.1. Mats Andersson, struggling in the
power stakes, 28.12.5. Martin Rowe is still going well in the
Ford Puma despite having the sequential gear lever and the rod
through the bulkhead part company in stage 5. Former British
Champion Martin is on 27.59.9, and was having to perform all
sorts of balancing acts through stage 5 changing gear with the
broken rod. Marko Ipatti's total is 27.53.4. Meanwhile,
after 3 stages, Simon Maugher led the Ford Puma Championship
from Ben Briant with Ian Chadwick 3rd. Donagh Kelly has retired
his Puma after hitting a bank and breaking a hub. In the Peugeot
Super 106 Cup, Ryan Champion moved into the lead after SS3 from
Rob Russell. In the Lex Land Rovers - Mark Simmonds leads from
Saunders, Paramore 3rd & Jim Clark 4th. Charlie Exton/Suzanne
Emiliani have apparently retired their Honda in SS3 after all
sorts of dramas including an excursion. Walter Aitken,
Louise's big brother, snapped a half shaft on his Escort on the
first stage, right outside his mother's house, has got going
but is sandwiched between the Land Rovers! Jock Armstrong has
some road penalties following extended work on the brakes of
his Golf at service after SS3. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON |
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