RALLY NEWS NO.5      Service, Monaghan. Sunday 4.45

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 6
1st (1) Niall Maguire/Paul McLoughlin (Impreza) 55.30
2nd (2) Bertie Fisher/Rory Kennedy (Impreza) 56.27
3rd (3) David Armstrong/Herbie Blackburn (Escort) 56.32
4th (10) Mac McKenna/John Loughran (Peugeot) 59.07
5th (6) Maurice Gass/Geoffrey Orr (Celica) 59.26
6th (14) Norman Armstrong/Kieran Kelly (Escort) 59.55
7th (15) Maurice Moffett/Gavin Campbell (Peugeot) 1.00.03
8th (9) Micky McArdle/Ger McMonagle (BMW M3) 1.00.38
9th (23) Charlie Beatty/Crawford Henderson (Corolla) 1.00.43
10th (16) Dessie Keenan/Barry McMahon (Escort) 1.00.58

No change at the front of this Monaghan Stages Rally through stages 5 and 6.  Maguire fastest on both, Norman Armstrong second fastest on SS5, Bertie Fisher second fastest on SS6, to retain the status quo.  Maguire's co-driver Paul McLoughlin was only half joking when he told us here at second service "We're getting the tail out now, it's still very slippy". 

Bertie Fisher said "Slippy oul stages, taking no chances".  David Armstrong reported another straight on at a junction. Top drivers who seem to be missing here at service include Sean McArdle, his Celica was up into the top 10 after stage 4, but no sign as yet after stage 6.  Car No.77 David Dixon has retired his red Mk2 with gearbox troubles.  Charlie Beatty continues to set the class 10A pace, and it is interesting to see the 1600cc Corolla into the top 10, always an indication of slippery stages. Winston Henry retired his Escort earlier with a blown head gasket. Dessie Keenan's superb run was spoiled by over a minute time loss, almost 2 mins. in fact, in stage 5 with clutch troubles. Still going, but struggling.

Micky McArdle continues to do a sterling job in the BMW M3. Norman Armstrong's car is suffering a misfire. Gerry McDonald had a spin in stage 5 but survived OK. Andrew Stewart in the gpN Lancer lost about 20s in stage 4 - he had fitted new tyres to the Mitsubishi and got caught out on the cold rubber.  Despite being well down the order,

Mark Fisher is setting scintillating times - just 1s slower than his father Bertie through stage 5, 17s slower in stage 6 - not bad for a showroom car!

More news later..BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON