RALLY NEWS NO.2    End of Molls Gap..Saturday 10am

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 1 - MOLLS GAP
1st (2) Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Subaru) 10.13
2nd (6) James Cullen/Ellen Morgan (Subaru) 10.15
3rd (5) Stephen Finlay/Rory Kennedy (Focus WRC) 10.16
4th (3) Austin McHale/Brian Murphy (Corolla WRC) 10.21
5th (9) Eamonn Boland/Damien Morrissey (Focus WRC) 10.24
6th (8) Derek McGarrity/Chris Patterson (Subaru WRC)10.30
    (4) Frank Meagher/Pat Moloughney (Escort WRC) 10.30
8th (1) Ian Greer/Dean Beckett (Celica) 10.31
9th (18) Donie & Tim O'Sullivan (Escort Cos) 10.48
10th (7) Stephen Murphy/MJ Morrissey (Subaru) 10.53
11th (15) Frank O'Mahony/Hugh McPhillips (Impreza) 11.02
12th (19) Johnny O'Sullivan/Sean Moriarty (Escort)11.05

There were tense moments here at Molls Gap as the leading drivers arrived off the stage, nearly all reporting a wrong tyre choice.  Early reports that the Gap was dry were turned on their head with a sudden light rain shower.  Allied to cool temperatures it made life difficult for the drivers, and indeed cars 10, 11 and 12 all arrived at stage finish with punctured tyres after skidding over rocks.  No such problems for Andrew Nesbitt, as he brought his Pirelli shod Subaru to a halt here at the time control, he reported "We had a steady run, maybe the tyre choice could have been safer, but it went OK".  Tarmac Champion Ian Greer reported a couple of moments and he took it just that wee bit easier.  Austin McHale's men were working at his Corolla into the small hours of the morning, sorting out a problem, and Austin reported the alternator light flashing at him coming over the Gap.  Frank Meagher said of his Escort WRC "It felt very giddy over the bumps".  Stephen Finlay in the M-Sport Focus reckons he was caught on the wrong tyres. James Cullen commented "I've been too long out of a rally car, I scared myself, and there was a bit of a misfire out of corners, just a trace".  Despite what James said, it was a fantastic time. Stephen Murphy got very sideways on one corner and backed off, while it was much the same story with Derek McGarrity.  A half spin and then discretion was the better part of valour.

Eamonn Boland reported "Not a bother".  Frank O'Mahony felt the brake pedal going soft towards stage finish. Bob Fowden told us he got his 3 punctures when he caught Liam McCarthy's car. In his frustration Fowden took to the scenery and ended up with 3 punctures. Donie O'Sullivan is quickly getting used to lhd, caught and passed 2 cars in the stage. Pete Doughty had 2 punctures, Andy Blair spun and punctured. Johnny O'Sullivan reckoned his run was a disaster on slicks. Wesley Patterson's Sierra was handling all over the place. Eugene Donnelly had cramps in his hands. Sean McArdle in the 2nd Taranto de Pol car had 2 spins and is well outside the times. Mark Fisher is the only gpN car we have times for so far, and at 11.08 looks very respectable. More later.BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON