The Crosby Cedars Hotel Wexford Single Stage After SS3

The Crosby Cedars Hotel Wexford Single Stage

RALLY NEWS NO.4(A) Rosslare/Sunday
6.30

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 3 - LAST STAGE
1st (6) Jimmy Lambert/James Coleman (Escort) 31.44
2nd (2) David James/Ron Guha (Escort BDX) 31.58
3rd (17) Philip Shaw/Derek Brennigan (Escort) 32.04
4th (5) John Nolan/John Smithwick (Escort) 32.34
5th (7) Tom Randles/Diarmuid Lynch (Escort) 32.45
6th (14) James & Ann Foley (Civic) 32.59
7th (39) Thomas O'Rourke/John O'Rourke (Astra N) 33.08
8th (35) Tom Lawless/Brian Sharkey (Civic) 33.12
9th (67) Mark & Derek Kennedy (Corsa) 33.20
10th (29) James M & James F Stafford (Nova) 33.28
Just outside the above leaderboard - Garry Jennings 33.48:James Travers 33.51: Larry Brady 33.58 Willie Fannin 34.31: Pat Bolger 35.04: Padraig Price 35.09:

Jimmy Lambert and his co driver James Coleman scored a historic victory here today - they turned in a fabulous final stage time to beat David James by 14s. The two were equal going into that final stage, Lambert proving himself the master, not only of the slippy roads, but of the darkness as well. Carrick on Suir man Lambert commented "Yes, it was a good run, the notes came
right, the tyre choice was perfect. It was certainly a good day for me. My last victory was in Carrick on Suir in 1985. Hopefully we are now on a roll and can keep winning!" Gorey man David James said "I drove my heart out on that last stage. I can't understand it, I didn't think there was a second left in it, I drove as hard as I could, kept it tidy". Third placed Philip Shaw told us "I knew I wasn't going to catch the local boys in front, the nearest car behind was 20s back, there was no point in wrecking the car".
John Nolan in 4th place lost a few seconds and any chance of improvement on the final stage when the intercom packed up on his Escort. Fifth placed Tom Randles recounted "We had a good run in the dark, I was hoping to move up to 5th on that last, and maybe get the class win, so I'm happy with the day". James & Ann Foley had a slow start to the day, when a plug lead came adrift in their immaculate Civic. Then on the last stage, the oil filler cap broke and most of the engine oil blew out, so it was a touch and go finish for the husband and wife team.

Willie Fannin co driven by Brian Duggan has won his group N class in his Lancer despite last stage difficulties. The lamp pod in the Lancer came loose, ended up dangling by the wires with the lights shining more or less everywhere, then it fell off and they ran over it. They then ran with virtually no lights, clipped a corner and got a puncture! Thomas O'Rourke won gpN overall in his Astra.

Other stories included ...Paddy O'Reilly suffered worsening clutch slip through the final stage and said "Lucky to get her through". Padraig Price commented "Hardship all day!" John Hennessy did make it to the finish despite his co driver Chris Finnegan having to sit on the bonnet and work the throttle for part of the final stage. Pat Bolger lost some time when he caught them. Garry Jennings finished well up the order, almost certainly with a class win, although co driver James O'Brien feels that they had a mistaken time for the last stage, and should have been 30s quicker. Many thanks to everyone at the Wexford MC and to the Crosbie Cedars Hotel for their hospitality.

BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON