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RALLY NEWS
NO.6 Glenariff forest park service..Sat.2.45
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 7 BEAGHS
1st (23) Robert Woodside/Dean Beckett (Impreza) 28.56
2nd (8) Kevin O'Kane/Stephen Griffith (Impreza) 29.27
3rd (2) Derek McGarrity/MJ Morrissey (Impreza) 29.36
4th (3) Denis Biggerstaff/Guy Carlisle (Metro 6R4) 29.46
5th (4) Robin Philips/Mike Gibson (Celica) 29.48
6th (7) Richard Hall/Declan Campbell (Escort Cos) 30.02
7th (14) Keith White/David Lyness (Escort) 30.10
8th (9) Richard Hogg/Mark Hanna (Lancer N) 30.13
9th (1) Eamonn Boland/Alun Cook (Subaru WRC) 30.14
10th (10) Maurice Gass/Geoffrey Orr (Celica) 30.17
Robert Woodside and Derek McGarrity tied over the Slieveanorra
stage on the 2nd visit, both on 8.34, Kevin O'Kane was 8.40 and
Robin Philips was 8.44. That was probably the crucial stage
of this rally in terms of victory. In Woodland Furniture
NI Championship terms it is really going to get down to the wire
between Denis Biggerstaff and Robin Philips. Derek McGarrity's
total now includes a 20s road penalty incurred when they arrived
late for singing on at the hotel this morning. Woodside
told us here at service with 3 stages to go.."I've backed
off a fraction, not taking any risks". Co driver Dean
Beckett joked "He's listening to Uncle Dean!"
Kevin O'Kane reports no problems but can do nothing about the
flying Woodside. Derek McGarrity reports his Subaru to
be hanging back a little, at times he is having to shift from
5th to 4th to keep the revs up, Derek feeling that perhaps it
is a fuel pressure related difficulty.
Eamonn Boland in the Impreza WRC reports no problems. Denis
Biggerstaff seems to be losing out slightly on Slieveanorra,
perhaps the Metro 6R4 doesn't have quite the same top speed,
although Denis admits "Long stages don't seem to suit me
as well, I had a bit of a moment as well at the first big right
hander, had to go for reverse". Robin Philips reported
a slightly soft brake pedal on his Celica after that long stage
and had to brake slightly earlier than normal through Beaghs.
Richard Hall seemed to waken up a bit when he hit the bumps and
jumps of Slieveanorra and his times have now improved. Richard
Hogg is slipping down the leaderboard slightly, his Lancer losing
more turbo boost as the flexible joint between the exhaust and
the manifold seems to be expanding. Glenn Allen is on a
total of 30.42 just outside the leaderboard, still leads his
class but is having manifold difficulties. Gary White had a huge
overshoot, nearly into the next count..on Slieveanorra.
The battle between the two championship gpN front runners shows
Mason ahead of Johnston by 3s, Crozier despite his best efforts,
falling slightly further back. Mason's total is 30.21, Johnston
30.24, Gerry Brown 30.36, John McCarthy from Cork continues to
go well and has 30.31. John Donnelly in the Escort Cosworth at
17 has slid off the road in Slieveanorra..more later.BRIAN &
LIZ PATTERSON |
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