RALLY NEWS NO.5              Portumna/Service/Sunday 3.45

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 6
1st (1) Michael Barrable/Dermot O'Gorman (Impreza WRC) 38.14
2nd (4) Patrick Elliott/Martin Cahill (Impreza) 38.44
3rd (3) JJ Fleming/Robbie Ward (Impreza WRC) 39.01
4th (15) Ivan Stewart/Gerard Callaghan (Esc.Cos) 39.56
5th (12) James Foley/Andrew Cullen Lancer N) 40.30
6th (10) George Tracey/Elva Roe (Impreza N) 40.38
7th (6) John Spain/Peter Egan (Manta) 41.07
8th (5) George Cullen/Sean Mullally (Celica) 41.21
9th (11) Dominic Loughran/Lisa Roe (Lancer N) 41.49
10th (21) Gary Cairns/Gary Monteith (Lancer N) 42.04

Through the twists and turns of the tough Rahyconor test Michael Barrable was again fastest by 8s from Patrick Elliott and 17s from JJ Fleming.  Michael is anxious to celebrate his son  Robert's 15th birthday with a win here, but with 3 tough stages to go in this searing heat - searing for Ireland that is - it's still a difficult proposition ahead for Michael. His Subaru's turo has been replaced but there is still a fierce smell of burnt oil from the Impreza WRC.  Patrick Elliott reports his Subaru going really well and JJ Fleming reckons he will just try and hold station now. 

Main change to the leaderboard through stage 6 is that Anthony O'Halloran has retired his Manta from a top 6 place, the Opel reportedly hitting a roadside rock and damaging a wheel.  Gary Cairns has come into the leaderboard with some consistent times in his GpN Lancer, Gary troubled earlier by erratic brakes.  In class 12 Tom "Doc" Halliday is now on a total of 42.16 with Wesley Patterson on 42.50.   Aidan Walsh is on 42.35.  In class 13 Allan Treacey is on 42.59, John O'Sullivan in the rwd Peugeot is on 44.04, John talking of retiring here at service, a front suspension strut burst.

Other stories include - George Cullen's Celica showing very high temperature readings, one of the cooling fans not seemingly pulling it's weight.  John Spain has brake troubles in his Manta.  James Foley continues to lead group N, George Tracey was fastest showroom car through stage 6, James trying to save his clutch on what is the toughest stage of the rally. Dominic Loughran was a minute faster on that loop than the previous one, Dominic now creeping into the top 10, and as he says himself "shaking off the rust".     Shaun Gallagher, hero of the Peugeot 206 Super Cup, is leading his class here in the Adrian McElhinney car, Letterkenny man Shaun anxious to get Billy Coleman Award qualifications. Fellow Donegal man Pat McDaid lost a few seconds in stage 6 when he was slowed by Mark Danaher, Mark having spun his Manta and damaged the front of it.  Doc Halliday was also slowed by the Manta.  David McNulty is having a good run, starting to speed up now, his total 42.39. Aidan Walsh on 42.35. Tommy McDonald 42.36. Allan Treacey 42.59 despite no 5th gear in his Corolla.  More news later. BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON