RALLY NEWS NO.1                             Cregneash near Port Erin/Fri. 8pm

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 1 Port Erin
1st (6) Melvyn Evans/Alun Davies (Escort WRC) 2.00
2nd (26) John Dalton/Gwynfor Jones (Darrian) 2.01
3rd (7) Mark Perrott/Garry Mansell (Escort WRC) 2.02
     (17) John Ingri/Dave Engwell (Metro 6R) 2.02
     (25) Guy Woodcock/Neil Spiers (Escort F2) 2.02
6th (1) Ken McKinstry/Noel Orr (Impreza) 2.04
7th (2) John Price/Caroline Price (Metro 6R4) 2.05
    (3) David Mann/Alun Cook (Impreza) 2.05
    (4) Tony Davies/Brian Hardie (Metro 6R4) 2.05
   (14) Graham Middleton/John Morgan (Corolla WRC) 2.05       
   (18) Cahal Arthurs/Paul McCann (Celica) 2.05
   (23) Phil Collins/Howard Davies (Escort) 2.05

Fastest SS2 Parville: McKinstry 11.29.8: Evans 11.51.5: Perrott 11.55.6: Collins 11.58.6: Dalton 11.58.7: Price 11.59.2:

A new sponsor in Roush Technologies, a new era after last year's foot and mouth lay off, but the action on this Manx National Rally just the same with very little to choose between the top cars.  The first stage here at Port Erin is short, tight and twisty, not a fair reflection on the other stages of the rally, but still an early indication of the form to come.  Melvyn Evans' Escort World Rally Car fairly crackled through the streets of Port Erin and up over the headland, the Welshman's speed a reminder of his brilliant West Cork performance.  Second fastest Mark Perrott reported clipping one of the many roadside stones just before the end of the stage, but he still set a super time.

Kenny McKinstry, seeking a hat trick here on the Manx National, and this time driving one of his group A cars, not the World Rally example, reported the stage very tricky, especially on cold tyres.  Just one of the drivers caught out on cold rubber was Steve Fleck who spun his Impreza WRC on the very first corner of the stage.

Graham Middleton reported some under steer on his Corolla WRC, Graham using new tarmac suspension for the first time on his Toyota.  Steve Petch was a bit uptight at stage finish, recording a time of 2.09, also saying that it was his first time on tarmac suspension on his Hyundai.  Other stories included John Price having intercom problems in his Metro 6R4. While Roger Duckworth slowed about 100 metres before the stage finish, thinking the finish line was in a different place. Fastest Group N  Stage 1 was Bob Fowden on 2.07 then Anthony Willmington 2.10, then Mark I'anson 2.11. Jeremy Easson was on 2.15.

Some more times…..Jon Mercer 2.10: Chris Wood 2.10: Steve Hendy 2.09:
Non starters include - Richie Davies (No.21) and Lyndon Barton (24).

More news later…BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON                    www.rallynews.net