RALLY NEWS NO.5                  Dromhall Hotel Killarney - Sunday 5.30pm

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 9 Kilmacilloge
1st (7) John Farrell/Christy Farrell (Escort) 1.27.55
2nd (9) Ray & Elaine Cunningham (Mini Cooper) 1.29.08
3rd (6) Lloyd Hutchinson/Lester Hutchinson (Mini Cooper) 1.29.32
4th (1) Dessie Nutt/Geraldine McBride (Porsche 911) 1.30.08
5th (4) Martin Freestone/Chris Hayes (RS1600) 1.30.09
6th (2) John Keatley/Maurice Beckett (Porsche 911) 1.31.55
7th (11) Martin Ward/Linda Conroy (Manta) 1.31.56
8th (12) George Tracey/Elva Roe (Escort) 1.32.40
9th (18) Douglas & John Richardson (Escort) 1.33.35
10th (16) Mervyn Johnston/Richard Hyland (Mini Cooper) 1.33.52
Just outside leaderboard: Con Ward 1.33.56: Steve Perez 1.34.11: Mike Doody 1.34.52: Martin Sheehan 1.38.16:

CLASSIC LEADERBOARD
1st (68) Phil Collins/Howard Davies (Escort) 1.02.27
2nd (69) Donie O'Sullivan/Paul Nagle (Escort) 1.03.21
3rd (96) Pat Bonar/Derek Montgomery (Escort) 1.05.36
4th (73) Wesley Patterson/Bob Kelly (Escort) 1.05.41
5th (72) Padraig & Richard Price (Escort) 1.05.45
6th (77) Gareth Lloyd/Ken Rees (Escort) 1.06.09
7th (85) Kevin O'Donoghue/Joe O'Leary (Escort) 1.06.33
8th (103) Arthur Kierans/Ashley McAdoo (Escort) 1.06.36
9th (109) Drew & Victor Hunter (Escort) 1.06.40
10th (112) Martin Magee/Mairead Lynch (Escort) 1.06.43
Just outside l/board: Dave Slattery 1.06.47: James O'Sullivan (leading cl.12) 1.06.50: Adrian Randles 1.07.56:

In the Historic section of the rally Dessie Nutt eased back slightly through stages 7 and 8, but then his Porsche seemed to lose power and he struggled through stage 9. The mechanics are working at the car to get it in fine fettle for the final stage. John Farrell at the front of the pack was fastest through stage 7, had to give best to Ray Cunningham and Lloyd Hutchinson in stage 8, and then was equal fastest with John Keatley through stage 9. In overall terms would seem to have the Post Historic section fairly well tied up.

In the Classic division there was shock news from Cods Head when Philip Shaw's Escort stopped in the stage with mechanical problems. Donie O'Sullivan had a clutch cable break in Ardgroom and unbeknown to ourselves Pat Bonar was making a charge up the leaderboard to move into 3rd overall. Phil Collins continues to set fastest times, and barring problems on the final stage, looks like he is heading for a fairly conclusive victory in the Classics.  Having lost his Escort's bonnet in Cods Head John Hickey made a real charge through Ardgroom, but his Escort's back axle broke in 3 places after a huge jump, so much so that the differential fell out! End of rally.  More news later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON