RALLY NEWS NO.4      Service after SS4 - Saturday 12.45

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 4 GORTNAGANE
1st (2) Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Subaru) 31.20
2nd (5) Stephen Finlay/Rory Kennedy (Focus WRC)31.39
3rd (6) James Cullen/Ellen Morgan (Subaru) 31.51
4th (4) Frank Meagher/Pat Moloughney (Escort WRC)31.59
5th (8) Derek McGarrity/Chris Patterson (Subaru WRC)32.06
6th (9) Eamonn Boland/Damien Morrissey (Focus WRC)32.09
7th (1) Ian Greer/Dean Beckett (Celica) 32.19
8th (7) Stephen Murphy/MJ Morrissey (Subaru)32.27
9th (28) Hugh Dunne/Greg Shinnors (Legacy) 33.38
10th (18) Donie & Tim O'Sullivan (Escort Cos)33.54
11th (23) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Nagle (Escort)33.57
12th (15) Frank O'Mahony/Hugh McPhillips (Impreza)34.14
13th (29) Mark Fisher/Gordon Noble (Impreza N) 34.18

Stephen Murphy was fastest through stage 4, Gortnagane, by 1s from Andrew Nesbitt, Frank Meagher and Derek McGarrity, who all tied for 2nd fastest. In stage 3, Caherbarnagh, it was Andrew Nesbitt fastest with 8.03 for the over 10 mile stage, second fastest was a tie between Frank Meagher and Stephen Finlay.  It is all very tight, close stuff, with skiffs of rain making the going difficult for the drivers, particularly in the area of tyre choice. No sign here of Austin McHale, Bertie Fisher tells us he was having a slight 6th gear problem at the end of stage 2, was also having some electrical problems, but we do not know the definitive reason as yet.

Andrew Nesbitt commented here at service "It was half wet and half dry through Gortnagane, very difficult, we just eased back slightly".  Tarmac Champion Ian Greer said "We're picking it up now after the wrong tyre choice early on".  In truth though, Ian didn't look particularly happy, his time of 8.40 through Gortnagane, 12s slower than the fastest, some indication of his struggles this morning so far.  Frank Meagher told us that his Escort Cosworth is wandering on the straights, on the last 2 stages the roads were a bit wider and he could go a bit harder.  Stephen Finlay reckoned he lost a few seconds trying to get the car off the line on stage 4, saying the Focus is really difficult to get going. Those sentiments are echoed by Eamonn Boland, who commented "It's impossible, you have to rev it 'til she'll rev no more to get her going, the problem is they have no fly wheel". 

Derek McGarrity lost a few seconds in stage 4 when he forgot to plug in his intercom.  James Cullen told us "She's cutting out, like not getting fuel, we're absolutely on the door handles, nearly had 3 big accidents in that last stage. Very frustrating".  Stephen Murphy says he is starting to settle down. Frank O'Mahony still has brake problems. Donie O'Sullivan, in left hand drive for the first time, went for the handbrake at the hairpinin stage 4 and pulled the door handle!  Johnny O'sullivan, wrong tyre choice virtually every stage. More news to follow..BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON