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RALLY
NEWS NO.2 New Brighton Prom..Saturday 09.00 UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 1 1st (5) Justin Dale/Andrew Bargery (Peugeot) 3.57.1 2nd (14) Robert Woodside/Chris Patterson (Ford Puma)3.58.4 3rd (15) Martin Sansom/Phil Wells (Peugeot) 4.00.00 4th (7) Martin Rowe/Chris Wood (Ford Puma) 4.00.1 5th (18) Simon Mauger/Scott Poxon (Ford Puma) 4.02.1 6th (1) Mats Andersson/Clare Mole (Proton) 4.04.3 7th (17) Paul Wedgbury/Neil Dashfield (Saxo) 4.07.2 8th (19) Max McMillen/Tim McQuaid (Saxo) 4.08.2 9th (8) Patrick Magaud/Guylene Brun (Ford Puma) 4.08.5 10th (31) David Nutt/Linette Applegate (Peugeot)4.11.1 THE ABOVE TIMES ARE UNOFFICIAL The lead drivers on this Rally of Wirral managed to negotiate the first stage successfully, with no problems so far. First on the road, Martin Rowe, seemed pretty well screwed up before and after his first stage, and remarked "I found it very slippy, maybe it is because I am first on the road, I think perhaps there is a very fine layer of sand on top of the tarmac". Mats Andersson reported no particular problem with his Proton, while fastest man so far Justin Dale, said "Its certainly not like a normal rally, we had no time to adjust the brake balance, but everything went well". Those not so happy included Volkswagen works pairing Neil Simpson/Mike Gibson, their new Polo seemingly having engine trouble at stage finish. Interesstingly, the time sheets are showing Simpson with 3.43.9 for the stage which would in theory have the Polo leading the rally by 13 seconds. However co driver Mike Gibson tells us his actual time is 4.13.9. Also looking anxiously at his engine was French driver Patrick Magaud, whose Puma was showing signs of oil leakage at stage finish. Robert Woodside was quick through the stage, the Ulsterman saying "I think there's a bit left to come, the Pirellis we are on are a slightly harder compound than some of the others, and we were getting a little understeer". Gethin Jones in the Corsa had fuel pump problems and consequently a slow time of 5 minutes. Young Ian Barrett in the Proton felt his suspension was set a little soft. As the first of the Peugeot Super 106 Cup contenders started to arrive after the main Formula Rally field, Rory Galligan seemed to be the man setting the pace amongst the early runners. Rory on a time of 4m11s but looking extremely unwell with a stomach upset. Ryan Champion's time was 4m18s, Ryan saying "We were taking it steady, I think this stage is going to be very hard on cars, on the transmission". As more cars appeared at the finish line, it would be seem to be David Nutt fastest of the Peugeot Super 106 contenders so far... Shaun Woffinden finished the stage with a soft rear tyre on his Puma to leave David Henderson fastest of the Puma 1400 contenders from Guy Wilks, Woffinden 3rd. More news to follow....and please remember the above times are very unofficial... BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON
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