UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 3- FINAL STAGE

1st (4) Jimmy Lambert/James Coleman (Escort) 23.21

2nd (9) Rodney Wilton/Peter Leahy (Escort) 23.35

3rd (17) Garry Jennings/David Moynihan (Peugeot) 23.40

4th (3) Mervyn Wedlock/Philip Smith (Escort) 23.42

5th (2) David Percy/Owen Percy (Escort) 23.44

6th (8) Gordon Rogers/Philip McEntee (Escort) 23.50

7th (5) John Nolan/John Smithwick (Escort) 24.02

8th (16) James Foley/Andrew Cullen (Civic) 24.07

9th (12) Gordon Percy/Joe Shinnors (Escort) 24.11

10th (6) David James/Ron Guha (Escort) 24.34

Jimmy Lambert fitted a new set of wet tyres and turned on the style through the final stage to win by a comfortable margin in the end. Lambert and his co driver James Coleman led from the word go, with a very fast time on the first stage. On stage 2 their grip on the event seemed to slacken just a fraction, and it was David Percy who set fastest time. However, stage 3 reverted to status quo - Lambert commenting here at the finish "The car seemed to stick to the roads like glue on that final stage and we were able to really go for it. Despite the rain, it was a good day". Rodney Wilton gave it his all, but his 1600cc Escort was simply outgunned by the more powerful machinery. Still, Rodney and his co driver Peter Leahy, win class 11 to go along with their runners up trophy. Garry Jennings again provided his class, and gave co driver David Moynihan the ride of his life on their way to 3rd place. Garry's 1600 Peugeot would be a much more standard car than all the Escorts around him, so it really was a terrific drive. Mervyn Wedlock was delighted with his 4th place at the finish, saying "We pushed hard on that last stage, we had a brillliant run and I'm really getting used to the new gearbox".

For David Percy it was a bizarre and slightly heartbreaking last stage - he was all ready to go for broke but his glasses broke at the start of the stage and he was hampered the whole way through the stage, dropping many seconds as he fiddled with the awry spectacles.

Just outside the above leaderboard some other times include last year's winner Pat Higgins on 25.21, the fire gone out of him after the first stage delay. Mick McQuaid finished on 25.07. Mick got faster on every stage but knows himself he still has a bit to go. Gerry Smyth finished with a total of 24.39 and could lift 2nd or 3rd in class 12. Aidan Walsh finished down on 25.52 as he struggled in with a broken gearbox. John O'Sullivan finshed with 25.01. Retirements came thick and fast today, just one was Mick Fogarty when the engine of his hired Corolla blew up. Latest news on Michael and Della McEvoy whose accident blocked stage 1 is that Michael is fine, Della has been released from hospital after a check up, none the worse for wear. Many thanks to all who helped us and helped with the event on this very difficult day. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON