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RALLY NEWS NO.6 New Brighton..Saturday 1.30 UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 5 1st (7) Martin Rowe/Chris Wood (Ford Puma) 17.58.3 2nd (5) Justin Dale/Andrew Bargery (Peugeot) 18.05.7 3rd (14) Robert Woodside/Chris Patterson (Ford Puma) 18.11.2 4th (15) Marttin Sansom/Phil Wells (Peugeot) 18.21.3 5th (8) Patrick Magaud/Guylene Brun (Ford Puma) 18.24.9 6th (18) Simon Mauger/Scott Poxon (Ford Puma) 18.27.8 7th (1) Mats Andersson/Clare Mole (Proton) 18.34.4 8th (17) Paul Wedgbury/Neil Dashfield (Saxo) 18.37.2 9th (19) Max McMillen/Tim McQuaid (Saxo) 18.40.3 10th (2) Neil Collins/James Phillips (Proton) 18.43.1 It is the halfway point now on this Rally of Wirral and second by second Martin Rowe is edging ahead of the chasing pack. Through that stage 5 Martin's Puma stopped the clock on 3.42.3, closest to him was Justin Dale on 3.45.3, Simon Maugher 3.45.9, then Sansom on 3.46.6 then Robert Woodside 3.46.7. It is all very tight close stuff, but through it all Rowe has a decided edge. He said when he came into service "This stage set up this time suits us well particularly the long fast corner, it suits my style". The Boreham Chief Engineer, Philip Dunabin, explained that they are trying a new exhaust configuration on the two Boreham cars of Rowe and Magaud. As an experiment they tried the old style exhaust on the Frenchman's car for that last stage and he was immediately 5s off Rowe's pace. Needless to say the new exhaust will be going on to Patrick's car for stage 6. We wrote earlier about a certain amount of controversy as regards the chicanes. Apparently some drivers have been more or less smashding straight through them scattering the barrels. Now the organisers under Clerk of the Course Richard Pearl, have issued a written warning, specifying certain car numbers and if they repeat the performance, exclusion looms.....reportedly Patrick Magaud's name is at the top of the list. Robert Woodside said of that last stage "We are a wee bit short of tyres so we used old rubber that time, which perhaps cost us a fraction or two, but we are going to have to try something dramatic, perhaps take bigger cuts on the corners". Justin Dale explained that changing the catalytic converter at that last service had made the Peugeot sharper, but then he had tried just too hard, touched a pavement and smashed a wheel rim. Happily, the tyre did not deflate. Behind the top 3 Martin Sansom has the pressure fully on now in his quest for a podium place, while Simon Maugher is breathing down the neck of Magaud. Then there is a great battle for 7th, 8, 9th and 10th, between Mats Andersson, Paul Wedgbury, Max McKillen and Neil Collins. Reigning 1600 champion Andersson is certainly looking over his shoulder at Wedgbury, the latter really settling in to his lhd Saxo now. Andersson tells us that there is a little bit of oil mist from the engine's breather which is a bit worrying, and indeed the Swedish driver feels the acceleration has lost it's edge. Rory Galligan leads the Peugeot Super 106 Cup contenders from young Kris Meeke, and Meeke is closing. David Henderson leads the Puma 1400s from Guy Wilks. David Bateson continues to lead the VW Polos from Fin McCaul. While Dafydd Larcombe is the highest placed Ford Ka from the times in so far.. more later..BRIAN & LIZ
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