UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 4

1st (6) Austin McHale/Brian Murphy (Corolla WRC) 10.45

2nd (5) Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Subaru WRC) 10.47

3rd (10) Derek McGarrity/Adrian Foley (Subaru WRC) 10.58

4th (7) Frank Meagher/Dermot O'Gorman (Focus WRC) 11.04

5th (9) Daniel & Michael Doherty (Subaru WRC) 11.06

6th (23) Ollie O'Donovan/David Moynihan (Legacy) 11.10

7th (4) Patrick Snijers/Willie McKee (Impreza N) 11.12

8th (8) James Cullen/Dr James McDaid (Impreza WRC) 11.14

9th (20) Michael Barrable/Paul McGarry (Celica) 11.16

10th (12) Denis Biggerstaff/Robin McCandless (6R4) 11.19

Austin McHale gave it everything on that 4th stage to set a time 3s faster than Andrew Nesbitt to move into the lead, while Richard Burns and Freddy Loix entertained the crowds with some very dramatic driving. Burns even taking time to perform a "doughnut" at the slalom beside the grandstand. When Nesbitt finished the stage he remarked that it was pretty slippy saying "The car was sliding a lot, it was very loose". Austin McHale commented that he was running a harder compound tyre than before. Freddy Loix said "The stage is better this way, in this direction, very enjoyable".

Patrick Snijers felt that he had too soft a compound tyre, that the car was sliding, but he still set a fantastic time, the benchmark for group N. Roy White in his group N Lancer also had a good time, but still many seconds behind the Belgian. Derek McGarrity retained his 3rd place despite being slightly disappointed with his stage time. Derek another feeling that he does not have the right tyres for these conditions. Be that as it may the Glengormley man was 6s slower than McHale, possibly more important 3s slower than Frank Meagher, who is now eyeing McGarrity's 3rd place. Happily there were no major dramas on that run - earlier retirements included Patrick Elliott and Peadar Hurson with accidents. Adrian McElvaney did that stage 4 in his RS2000 despite missing stage 3 following an small accident.

Frank Meagher commented at stage finish "That one went well, I have tightened things up a bit, myself and the car!" James Cullen said "We're sliding about, having a bit of craic!" Max McKillen is setting really good times in his 1600cc Citroen, he tells us that the car is now losing a little bit of water, no road sections of course to cool the radiator. Peter McCullagh had earlier gear linkage problems which now seem to be sorted. Michael Barrable had an overshoot at the finish of that stage 4, but happily he was just past the control board. Niall Driver lost some time when he had a spin at the hairpin. Ollie O'Donovan removed the rear bumper of his Legacy on a bale. Denis Biggerstaff still has a few problems with his 6R4 jumping out of gears.

More news later..BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON