UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 1

1st (4) Jimmy Lambert/James Coleman (Escort) 7.45

2nd (9) Rodney Wilton/Peter Leahy (Escort) 7.52

3rd (17) Garry Jennings/David Moynihan (Peugeot) 7.53

4th (3) Mervyn Wedlock/Philip Smith (Escort) 7.55

5th (12) Gordon Percy/Joe Shinnors (Escort) 7.58

6th (5) John Nolan/John Smithwick (Escort) 7.59

7th (2) David Percy/Owen Percy (Escort) 8.01

8th (8) Gordon Rogers/Philip McEntee (Escort) 8.06

9th (16) James Foley/Andrew Cullen (Civic) 8.08

10th (6) David James/Ron Guha (Escort) 8.14

It was Jimmy Lambert who set the pace here through the first stage at Birr, the Clonmel man reporting no real problems along the way, saying "Certainly it was wet and slippy, but not too bad". No.1 seed Pat Higgins found that out to his cost, his Escort pirouetting on a 2 left 2 right with standing water, the Ford going going round 360 degrees, which cost last year's winner well over a minute. Second placed Rodney Wilton had a stunning run considering his car is only 1600cc class 11, and he told us here at service "We could go a wee bit faster on the twisty bits". Mervyn Wedlock had a good run, saying "We're happy enough, the tyres were working well and we're slowly getting the hang of this new gearbox". David Percy had an overshoot on his way to 7th fastest, David held up for a second or two getting past Higgins where he spun, and going on to say "We're happy enough, certainly it's slippy and it is tough going".

John Nolan reported a brake pedal going a bit long, and he felt he was being a bit cautious. Mick McQuaid lost time when his Escort screen misted up - there was a blown fuse to the heated screen. David James reported taking it very leisurely. Gordon Rogers had a big spin, two "doughnuts". John O'Sullivan felt he was very rusty and doesn't like wet roads anyway. Gordon Percy was up the bank at the S bend towards the end, but got away with it. James Foley came into service with grass sticking everywhere on the front of his Civic, and said "I threw it all away on a 4 right hairpin left, the car stepped out and we got wedged".

Garry Jennings again showed his class with a 3rd fastest time in his little Peugeot, and that was despite an electrical fault which has knocked out all the gauges. Aidan Walsh's Escort is still suffering a misfire. Mick Fogarty's hired Corolla has not appeared in to service, Mick reported standing at the side of the road halfway through the stage. Michael McEvoy crashed his Escort and blocked the stage, his co driver Della unconscious for a few seconds, but latest reports are that she was sitting up in the ambulance, the doctor in attendance sending her to hospital for a check up not but suspecting any problems.

More news after stage 2..BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON