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RALLY
NEWS NO.4 From the very sunny New Brighton/Sat.11am UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 3 1st (7) Martin Rowe/Chris Wood (Ford Puma) 11.00.0 2nd (5) Justin Dale/Andrew Bargery (Peugeot) 11.01.9 3rd (14) Robert Woodside/Chris Patterson (Ford Puma) 11.06.7 4th (15) Marttin Sansom/Phil Wells (Peugeot) 11.13.3 5th (8) Patrick Magaud/Guylene Brun (Ford Puma) 11.19.7 6th (1) Mats Andersson/Clare Mole (Proton) 11.21.4 7th (18) Simon Mauger/Scott Poxon (Ford Puma) 11.22.7 8th (17) Paul Wedgbury/Neil Dashfield (Saxo) 11.25.9 9th (19) Max McMillen/Tim McQuaid (Saxo) 11.27.5 10th (2) Neil Collins/James Phillips (Proton) 11.28.7 Martin Rowe was fastest through stage 3 with Robert Woodside second fastest and Frenchman Patrick Magaud, now getting into his stride, 3rd fastest, all in Ford Pumas. Justin Dale and Martin Sansom were just a smidgeon away in their respective Peugeot 106s. In the Proton camp Neil Collins again edged his team mate Mats Andersson, by just over a second through that third stage. The pace remains fast and furious in today's beautiful sunshine here at New Brighton, Martin Rowe's co driver Chris Wood, commenting after that 3rd stage "We went well, the chicanes were brand new, or they were!" Justin Dale in the Peugeot reported no problems. While Mats Andersson in the Proton said "It's good, I'm trying to concentrate on keeping it goingl, keeping it flowing". Robert Woodside, son of former Circuit of Ireland winner Ian Woodside, and multiple Northern Ireland Sprint Champion, seems to have somewhat of a fixation now about the chicanes..but is still going very well. Simon Maugher, also in a Ford Puma, had a spin on that stage which cost him probably a handful of seconds. Paul Wedgbury had an overshoot at the first roundabout, but still had a very good time. Martin Sansom seems very composed and indeed setting a cracking pace in the second of the works Peugeots. In the Peugeot Super 106 Cup, Rory Galligan felt he made a mistake, putting too much fuel in the car for that run, but he was still very much on the top pace. Also in the Peugeot Super Cup section is Ryan Champion, he was frustrated on that run to have caught a Puma, which was just very slightly slower, but not enough for him to get past. Trevor Martin, Peugeot No.40, finished that 3rd stage with a front tyre flapping and in bits. Ian Barrett reports his Proton suspension to be much improved. Seamus Donnelly was another to have caught a car and lost a few fractions. In the VW Polo Challenge after the 2nd stage - David Bateson hd a hair's breadth advantage over Fin McCaul, with Cork based Ian Chadwick 3rd. In the Ford Ka championship after stage 2 - Andrew Davison led from Ian Forgan with Dafydd Larcombe 3rd. Recap on the Peugeot Super 106 Cup after SS2 - Rory Galligan led with Dave Nutt and the unbelievable young Kris Meeke tying for second.. This is Kris' first championship event. Chris Moore was 4th just under 2s back, Seamus Donnelly 5th. More later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON
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