WEE MANX TALES NO.3      Friday..Grandstand..10pm

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 3 - CORNAA
1st (1) Ken McKinstry/Noel Orr (Impreza) 14.45
2nd (8) Melvyn Evans/Martin Henry (Escort WRC) 15.17
3rd (2) Marcus Dodd/John Bennie (Impreza) 15.20
4th (11) Mark Perrott/Garry Mansell (Lancer N) 15.27
    (12) Glenn Leece/John Tarrant (Metro 6R4) 15.27
6th (5) Chris Griffiths/Aled Davies (Impreza) 15.31
7th (4) Roger Duckworth/Mark Broomfield (Impreza) 15.37
8th (9) Warren Philliskirk/Eurig Evans (Metro 6R4)15.41
9th (10) David Mann/Alun Cook (Lancer N)  15.46
10th (3) John & Caroline Price (Metro 6R4) 15.56

The above times are from the early cars only - it is possible that some of the later numbers, such as Andy Blair, who was equal 4th after stage, could come into theleaderboard.  As we await the cars after stage 3, nothing has so far appeared after Steve Hendy, which would indicate a blockage.

When Ken McKinstry arrived in here to service after that narrow, bumpy stage 3, Cornaa, he told us "The car is too hard on the suspension, it's on James Cullen's settings after the Lakes, and it doesn't suit me at all. We'll try and soften it for the morning if we have the proper anti roll bars in the van".  When asked did he go well this evening, Kenny laughed, and said "Not bad, but made a bit of a boob on the Glenroy stage. We had a note too brave, a 3 right when it should be a 4 right when you're 46.  We clipped a bank, lost momentum, and the next left hander was all kerfuffled!" Happily there was little damage to the Banbridge man's Subaru and he seems in good form for day 2 of this Steyr-Puch Manx Rally.

Melvyn Evans was more than pleased to be in 2nd place, and told us "We could have gone a bit harder, but I had a bit of a spin in the first stage, and then in stage 3 we were getting a little dust from Jon Mercer's Metro in front".  Marcus Dodd, lying an overnight 3rd, and therefore will start 3rd on the road for Saturday, after the re-seeding, said "We took it very steady, the car feels really good, but it's taking time to get used to". 

Early retirements included: Local crew, Nigel & Michaela Cannell, whose newly acquired Astra had gearbox trouble in stage 2.  Royston Carey clipped one of his Clio's wheels on stage 1 and damaged the suspension. 

Mintex championship leader Steve Petch reported a bit of a misfire in his Escort WRC, perhaps it is a throttle sensor problem. Glenn Leece also has throttle problems with his Metro 6R4, but still is the highest placed Metro 6R4 overnight.  Expected front runner John Price has no explanation for his 10th place, no problems with the car. Jon Mercer commented "Trying to be safe, lost time with no intercom". Warren Philliskirk, rear puncture 3 mls from end of SS3, lost little time. More news in the morning. BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON