RALLY NEWS NO.2       Carlisle Airport..Saturday 10.30

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 2 Carlisle Airport
1st (1) Tapio Laukkanen/Kaj Lindstrom (VW Golf) 4.02.0
2nd (3) Neil Wearden/Trevor Agnew (Vauxhall Astra)4.02.4
3rd (2) Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas (Vauxhall Astra)4.02.9
4th (5) Justin Dale/Andrew Bargery (Peugeot) 4.03.3
5th (10) Jonny Milner/Nicky Beech (Celica) 4.07.2
6th (14) Neil Simpson/Mike Gibson (Lancer N) 4.08.0
7th (6) David Higgins/Shaun O'Gorman (Peugeot)4.09.2
8th (4) Jarmo Kytolehto/Arto Kapanen (Coupe F2)4.09.6
9th (11) Marko Ipatti/Kari Kajula (Lancer N) 4.11.4
10th (20) Gavin Cox/Tim Hobbs (Lancer N) 4.11.7

Neil Wearden in his Vauxhall Astra was fastest on the first stage here at the Airport, by just a split second from Tapio Laukkanen in the VW Golf, who then got ahead with a fastest time on stage 2.  Again by just a split second.  Realistically, the rally really starts when the crews head up the road from here to the 18 mile Kershope forest stage.  However, at least one driver, Julian Reynolds, isn't getting that far.  The Welshman's Toyota stopped here within sight of the flying finish of this short airport stage, reportedly broken driveshaft and gearbox the problem. 

Also in a spot of bother was Niall McShea in the Saxo - his engine was showing sky high temperatures.  Hopefully the Asquith team has resolved that problem, and it was nothing more serious than a faulty sensor to the ECU.  Charlie Jukes broke a driveshaft in his Proton,but luckily lost only a second or two. 

Mobil 1 British Rally Champion, Laukkanen, commented at stage finish "The car feels really good".  Current championship leader, Mark Higgins said "We got bogged down at the start line of the 2nd stage, the engine wouldn't lift, we certainly lost a little time".  Neil Wearden, determined to get a top result today, said after the first 2 stages "Tyre choice was difficult but we had a good run". In the Peugeot camp, Justin Dale picked a fairly soft compound tyre and it paid off, while his team mate David Higgins, still getting used to the little Peugeot, said "We went a bit hard on the tyres, I'm still getting used to the car as well and I'm braking too early, but I'm happy enough. The rally doesn't really start until we get into the forests".  Jarmo Kytolehto felt his Coupe understeering on some corners, oversteering on others. Nearly all the drivers felt that the stage was unpredictable with gravel and stones on many corners. Finnish driver Jani Pirttinen made a good start in the VW Golf.  Ramanen in the Civic reported low oil pressure. Peter Stephenson at 35 in the Lancer, making a come back after several years layoff, hit a hare in the stage and broke a fog light. Mike Brown finished the test with a front tyre down to the canvas, thinks it was sliced on a stone. More news after stage 3. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON..(with thanks to John McIlroy)