RALLY NEWS NO.2                                   Dingle-Service-Sunday 1.45   www.rallynews.net

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 2 Conor Pass
1st (7) Jim Harrison/Harvey Bell (Impreza) 13.24
2nd (5) Liam O'Callaghan/David Hogan (Impreza) 13.28
3rd (2) Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Impreza WRC) 13.32
4th (9) Donal O'Donovan/Pat Lordan (Celica) 13.42
5th (8) Patrick Elliott/Sean Moriarty (Impreza) 13.43
6th (10) Kieran Shaw/Crawford Henderson (Esc. WRC) 13.48
7th (14) JJ Fleming/Robbie Ward (Impreza WRC) 13.59
8th (6) Tim McNulty/Julian Nangle (Impreza) 14.01
9th (28) Andrew Stewart/Fabian McShane (Lancer N) 14.05
10th (17) Dermot Kelly/Francis Regan (Esc. WRC) 14.15

Dunlop Championship leader Paul Harris retired his Subaru at the end of stage 2 while Liam O'Callaghan and Jim Harrison tied for fastest through stage 2, Harrison was fastest onstage 1. Paul Harris was very down in the dumps when he cruised his yellow Impreza to a halt at the end of Conor Pass, the Letterkenny man saying "The car didn't feel sharp on the first stage, and then on the 2nd I felt it starting to go and switched off the anti lag, but there is obviously something badly wrong".  Indeed, the side of the car was covered in oil, so whatever the problem is it looks like a major rebuild in store.

Early rally leader Jim Harrison said "Nothing spectacular, taking it handy enough".  Liam O'Callaghan, who has been out of the sport for quite a few years, and is really just dipping his toe in the water again along with co driver David Hogan, told us "I'm struggling a little bit trying to judge the braking distances, but otherwise the car is great and I'm having the best fun I've ever had in my life".

Niall Maguire was caught on the hop a little at the start of stage 1, Minard Castle, and was quite a bit into the stage before he remembered to switch on the anti lag system, but otherwise the championship leader reports no problems.  Tim McNulty reckons his suspension and tyres are just a little soft for this fantastically sunny, warm day.  Patrick Elliott had a good time on stage 2 and feels there is a bit more to come.  JJ Fleming felt his tyres were going off a little towards the end of the stage 2.  Anthony O'Halloran lost a few seconds going up the Conor Pass when his Opel stuck in 4th gear, Anthony's total 14.35, his Manta rival Ed Synan reportedly pulled in halfway through Minard Castle. Sean McArdle thinks there is some sort of transmission vibration in his Impreza. Dermot Kelly is still settling into his new Escort WRC, and tells us the brake bias was set askew - all to the back which promptly faded in Conor Pass.  Tom McGovern seems to be the fastest rear wheel drive Escort man we have so far, on a total of 14.40. Tom lost a few seconds getting past Tom Randles on Conor, Killarney man Tom's dayglo Escort suffering a rear wheel puncture. John Hickey lost a few seconds when his Escort gear linkage gave trouble on stage 1. No sign of Brendan Brosnan who we think had mechanical trouble on stage 1.  Willie & Marie Power in the Chevette had a big spin on the first stage. Alan Treacey had intercom problems. John Rooney, brake troubles. More later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON