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RALLY
NEWS NO.4 Service-Livestock
Mart-Sat. 5pm
UNOFFICIAL LEADEROARD AFTER STAGE 4 - St.Angelo 2
1st (7) Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Impreza WRC) 16.50
2nd (3) Derek McGarrity/Chris Patterson (Impreza WRC) 17.14
3rd (8) Peadar Hurson/Ian Porter (Celica) 17.18
4th (5) Eamonn Boland/Anthony Nestor (Impreza WRC) 17.22
5th (2) Austin McHale/Brian Murphy (Corolla WRc) 17.28
6th (4) Daniel & Michael Doherty (Impreza WRc) 17.29
7th (9) Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Impreza WRC) 17.43
8th (6) David Greer/Michael Reid (Corolla WRC) 17.50
9th (19) Trevor Cathers/Gordon Noble (Lancer N) 17.57
10th (14) Maurice Gass/Geoffrey Orr (Impreza WRC) 18.04
(18) Seamus
Leonard/Kevin O'Brien (Impreza N) 18.04
12th (26) Dickie Curran/Gary Lyons (Lancer N) 18.16
It may be a short stage, but it is still significant that
Andrew Nesbitt was fastest in stage 4,St. Angelo, to make
it his 3rd consecutive fastest stage time. According
to informed spectators out on the stages, Andrew is really
flying, one long bumpy corner in particular all the top
drivers braked except for Andrew. Second placed Derek
McGarrity is very much on the pipe although still
struggling with his gear change. Peadar Hurson is turning
in a superb performance in his older Celica, up against the
world rally machinery. Fourth placed Eamonn Boland is
keeping it very tidy, and Austin McHale is gradually coming
to grips with being back in the left side of the car.
No one however, has an answer for Nesbitt at the
moment.
Trevor Cathers has taken over the lead of group N,while
front runner Seamus Leonard in the Seamless Aluminium
Subaru has run into rear differential troubles, and may be
forced to pack the fiddle. Others in trouble include
Charlie Mavitty whose Lancer's ECU ceased on the start
ramp. Peter McCullagh's Escort Cosworth had throttle
problems at the end of stage 1 and he is running very late.
David McLoughlin's Escort Cosworth turbo blew on the
first stage and he had to motor quietly through stages 2
and 3.
Outside the above top 12 we have Jaye Jordan in 13th on
18.22: Brendan Kelly on 18.23: David Armstrong 18.29: Roy
White 18.33: Sean McArdle 18.44: Tom Holton 18.55:
Some further stories from the top runners include - David
Armstrong feels his car is set up too high in the
suspension. Maurice Gass reports a misfire coming out
of junctions, his Subaru WRC may need a new set of spark
plugs. Kevin Barrett tells us his centre diff is not
releasing properly when the hand brake is operated at the
hairpins, and the car is pushing the nose. Tom Holton spun
his Celica in stage 2 and stalled the engine. Patrick
Elliott's Subaru broke a driveshaft in stage 1 and he had
to coax it through stages 2 and 3. Donie O'Sullivan
in the Bio-Clear Subaru had no anti lag for the first 3
stages. Letterkenny's Pat McDaid has been going hard over
the first lot of stages and very much on the gpN pace,
indeed could be creeping up towards the leaderboard.
HISTORICS - Philip Wylie (MGB) 18.59: Mervyn Johnston
(Mini) 19.00: Martin Boyle (Anglia) 19.19: Tom Jones
(Barracuda) 20.02: More news later. BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON
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