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RALLY NEWS
NO.9 End of stage 12..Saturday 7pm
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 12 - Nisbett Roads
1st (2) Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas (V/hall Astra) 53.23.4
2nd (4) Jarmo Kytolehto/Arto Kapanen (Coupe) 55.10.7
3rd (1) Tapio Laukkanen/Kaj Lindstrom (VW Golf) 55.12.2
4th (5) Justin Dale/Andrew Bargery (Peugeot) 56.06.2
5th (6) David Higgins/Shaun O'Gorman (Peugeot) 56.40.8
6th (17) Neil Simpson/Mike Gibson (Lancer N) 56.47.8
7th (3) Neil Wearden/Trevor Agnew (V/hall Astra) 57.10.7
8th (16) Niall McShea/Michael Orr (Saxo) 57.35.6
9th (15) Martin Rowe/Chris Wood (Ford Puma) 57.50.0
10th (24) Guy Anderson/Dave Taylor (Lancer N) 57.55.7
11th (20) Mike Brown/Aled Davies (Lancer N) 58.18.4
12th (11) Marko Ipatti/Kari Kajula (Lancer N) 58.21.4
There were no major dramas amongst the top runners through stages
11 and 12, the 2 spectator tests at Nisbet Roads. Tapio Laukkanen
was fastest on both runs and commented "The stage was cleaner
than last year, we had no problems". In contrast, several
of the other drivers were complaining of lack of grip, particularly
out of the ford. Mark Higgins was unahppy with his start on the
second time through. Mark could not see the green light clearly
because there was a marshal blocking his view. Jarmo Kytolehto
was happy enough with his run. Neil Wearden in the second Vauxhall
was unhappy with his Astra's braking. Neil told us "We haven't
cured this problem yet. First the fronts lock up, the next time
it will be the rears, snapping the car sideways. I have tried
moving the lever forward which alters the car to forest set up,
it has helped a bit".
In the Super 1600 division, David Higgins had the fastest time
on his first run through, just the blink of an eye quicker than
his Peugeot team mate Justin Dale, with Niall McShea and Martin
Rowe a second back. On the second run through the test Dale was
much quicker than any of the other 1600cc cars. Well, much
quicker was a couple of seconds, which in this sort of company
is a lot! Niall McShea joked "When everything's right, this
game seems easy!" Niall is delighted of course to have his
Saxo power steering now on full song, but drive as he might,
and my goodness he is really pushing the car, Niall cannot get
ahead of the Peugeots.
Marko Ipatti was fastest gpN through stage 11, the first
Nisbet Roads, the Finnish driver telling us that he has changed
the set up of his Lancer's brakes, and he is braking much later
than before. On the 2nd run through Marko Ipatti and Neil Simpson
tied for fastest gpN time.
Other stories included: Gavin Cox finishing the stage with a
rear wheel full of mud, testimony to using every inch of the
road and more. Martin Rowe in the Ford Puma commented "It
was slippy and horrible in there". Simon Maugher had
a good run through the spectator stages and commented "We
made a few mistakes yesterday but it's all coming together".
Simon continues to lead the Ford Puma Championship category from
Ben Briant. In the Peugeot Super 106 Cup - Paul Wegdbury was
fastest thru SS11 but Rory Galligan still leads overall. More
later.BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON
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