RALLY NEWS NO.3           Service-Sunday 1.30-now not just high winds, rain
and sleet - but thunder and lightning as well….wonderful!

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 4
1ST (2) Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Subaru) 22.04
2nd (6) Jim Harrison/Harvey Bell (Subaru) 22.19
3rd (134) Trevor Cathers/David Moynihan (Lancer N) 22.23
4th (11) Glenn Allen/Shane O'Neill (Escort WRC) 22.28
5th (138) James Gilen/Victor Carruthers (Esc.Cos) 22.33
6th (17) Brendan Kelly/Rory Kennedy (Lancer N) 22.38
7th (14) Sean Gallagher/Liam Costello (Escort Cos) 22.41
8th (7) Patrick Elliott/Sean Moriarty (Subaru) 22.52
9th (21) George Tracey/Elva Roe (Subaru N) 22.53
10th (8) Donal O'Donovan/Pat Lordan (Celica) 23.25

Reigning Dunlop National Champion Paul Harris has unfortunately been forced into retirement in stage 4, Cloughbrack.  The Letterkenny man's Subaru had a 360 degree spin and the back end clipped a bank.  It didn't appear to be anything too serious, but a pin in the transmission sheared in the process and Paul was forced to abandon the stage at the junction. 

Naill Maguire lost a couple of seconds squeezing past the Harris incident, but otherwise Niall appears relatively untroubled at the front of the rally. Niall commented here at service "This is not easy, the car is aquaplaning everywhere, it's dangerous at times. I've switched the anti lag off to reduce the power".  In contrast, Jim Harrison commented "I'm really enjoying this".  Third placed Trevor Cathers suffered a puncture to his Lancer in stage 3, only dropped a couple of seconds and continues to lead gpN from Brendan Kelly, with George Tracey 3rd in the gpN category and going very well in his Subaru.

Patrick Elliott reckons his car isn't handling well at all and there must be some problem with the transmission/brakes.  Sean Gallagher continues to go well in the ex Gilleece Escort, even though the car has no anti lag.  David Armstrong's Escort Cosworth suffered a front right puncture when he passed someone in a stage and nipped a front wheel.  Martin Howley arrived in here to service with his new Escort Cosworth's wheels askew - not accustomed to left hand drive, the Killybegs man had clipped a right hand corner too tight and damaged the steering arm/link bar. Garry Jennings is continuing in the rally at unabated speed, despite rolling his Peugeot on stage 1 and incurring a puncture in stage 2.  Stuart Darcy has completed 4 stages in his new left hand drive super 1600 Ford Puma, and reports "We're getting there, it's very different, but the times are starting to come".  Aaron McHale is going to retire his ex Gene Meegan Lancer here at service because of a slipping clutch. Rory O'Connor is on a total of 24.16, having had a spin at a square
left.  Glenn Allen is going well in the ex Tommy Graham Escort WRC but still finding his feet regarding tyre choice.  Eugene Ferry - engine rough on the way into service…More news later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON