RALLY NEWS NO.2       End of stage 1..Sunday 1pm

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 1 - Sheetrim 9.2mls
1st (4) Daniel & Michael Doherty (Impreza) 10.01
2nd (1) Niall Maguire/Paul McLoughlin (Impreza) 10.08
3rd (2) Bertie Fisher/Rory Kennedy (Impreza) 10.15
4th (3) David Armstrong/Herbie Blackburn (Escort) 10.24
5th (10) Mac McKenna/John Loughran (Peugeot) 10.45
6th (49) Glen Allen/Adrian Johnston (Escort) 10.51

THE ABOVE TIMES ARE FROM THE EARLY RUNNERS ONLY...

Despite the wet conditions Donegal men Daniel & Michael Doherty gave that first stage, Sheetrim, a real cut.  Their Subaru was well up on the Escort Cosworth of David Armstrong finishing the stage.  There was a little confusion over the Doherty's time - the card showing 10.31 - but it is pretty clear now on checking the master sheets that it was 10.01.  This will of course need to be ratified. 

Bertie Fisher commented at the end of the stage "We were told that there wasn't too much standing water on the stage and went for a lightly cut slick, but it was a wrong choice.  There was a heavy shower just before the stage start and there was water everywhere on the road." 

No.1 on the road, Niall Maguire, reported no real problems.  No.3 on the road, David Armstrong, was kicking himself at stage finish, having forgotten to connect up the anti lag system in his Escort Cosworth.  Maruice Gass's Toyota had a spin at a junction, and lost a bit of time, his stage time showing 10.57.  Sean McArdle was on 11.06, Sean not out since he damaged the Celica in Cork. 

Early problems centre on Mark Fisher and Joe McGurk.  Mark was out in Kieran McAnallen's Mitsubishi Lancer, but is reported to be stopped at the first junction of the first stage.  Whether this is permanent we must wait and see.  Mark told us that Gerry McGarrity had worked most of the night rebuilding the front differential of the car, that was then fine, as was everything else.  No word on Joe McGurk at all, but he certainly had not emerged from the stage finish after 10 or 15 cars had gone through.
Mick McQuaid of McQuaid International Transport, lost some time with an overshoot.  Glen Allen had some rear brake troubles. Mac McKenna was not happy with his Peugeot's brake balance. Maurice Moffett felt his tyres did not warm up until half way through the stage.

Further times include - Micky McArdle 11.01 in the BMW M3: Enda Keenan 11.08: Mick McQuaid 11.09: Norman Armstrong 10.59: Maurice Moffett 11.08. More to follow: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON