UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 2

1st (1) Paul Harris/Eugene O'Donnell (Impreza) 16.26

2nd (8) Andrew Stewart/Fabian McShane (Lancer N) 16.58

3rd (4) Trevor Cathers/Gordon Noble (Lancer N) 17.03

4th (6) Philip Shaw/Herbie Blackburn (Escort) 17.31

5th (5) Joe MacHugh/Dermnot MacHugh (Escort) 17.32

6th (10) Eugene Ferry/John Gallagher (Escort) 17.37

7th (2) David Greer/Mike Gibson (Corolla WRC) 17.43

8th (12) Dessie Keenan/Laura Keenan (Escort) 17.44

9th (15) Rory Kennedy/Kieran McFadden (Lancer N) 17.45

(16) Paul Gallagher/Karl Reid (Corolla) 17.45

Once again Paul Harris was fastest, this time the Auto Fast Fit man was much more relaxed and told us here at the Lagoon Bar passage control.."I backed off a bit, I was very lucky the first time through to get away without a puncture, there's no point now in pushing too hard. But it really is a good old stage High Glen". Ivan Stewart was expected to challenge for 2nd place on that 2nd run, but his Escort Cosworth was marooned up towards the start line of the test when the engine would not fire up. Ivan had the same trouble earlier this morning, the engine did eventually go after 5 minutes churning, but not this time. This left the door open for Andrew Stewart who turned in a stunning 2nd fastest time overall of 8.27 to move into 2nd place, and the gpN lead, ahead of Trevor Cathers. The latter recorded of 8.30, exactly the same as his first run. Trevor felt that he had been quicker, smoother and more committed, but the stop watch told a different story.

Philip Shaw thought he had a quicker run as well, but was 5s slower than his first stage. That was despite the intercoms now being repaired, although Philip did feel that the winter sun blinding down the road had slowed him. In class 14 Camillus Bradley and Dessie Keenan were having a rare old fight, but that has fizzled out, Camillus' rear wheel dirve Peugeot sidelined with an oil leak problem in the engine. Dessie's father Enda is off the leaderboard on 18.19 as he settles in to his new Millington engined Mk2 Escort. Another absentee after stage 2 was John Cairns, reason unknown.

In the battle of the Peugeots - Shaun Gallagher turned in a scorching time of 8.57 as against Garry Jennings' 8.59 and Stuart Darcy's 9.11. Jennings struggled a small bit with the sun in his eyes, but at the same time Shaun Gallagher reckons he lost a few seconds when he caught up with David McNulty's Escort Cosworth. McNulty was struggling to get to the end of the stage, his car almost out of petrol. Stuart Darcy told us that he is getting no grip at all, reckons his tyres just aren't working.

Dan McCartan did make it in to the pass age control but he is pulling the ex Auriol Celica out - something now drastically wrong with the clutch.