|
|
RALLY NEWS NO.10 Ballylickey
- Sunday 2.15
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 15 BORLIN
1st (1) Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Impreza WRC) 2.07.45
2nd (4) Eamonn Boland/Damien Morrissey (Impreza WRC)
2.08.22
3rd (7) Liam O'Callaghan/David Hogan (Impreza WRC) 2.09.01
4th (5) Daniel & Michael Doherty (Impreza WRc) 2.10.12
5th (2) Austin McHale/Brian Murphy (Corolla WRC) 2.11.07
6th (3) Derek McGarrity/Chris Patterson (Impreza WRC)
2.11.17
7th (16) JJ Fleming/Robbie Ward (Impreza WRC) 2.14.09
8th (12) Donie O'Sullivan/Paul Nagle (Impreza N) 2.15.46
9th (11) Trevor Cathers/Francis Regan (Lancer N) 2.17.11
10th (18) Seamus Leonard/Kevin O'Brien (Impreza N) 2.17.32
11th (10) Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Corolla WRc) 2.18.45
12th (17) Bob Fowden/Jerry Hynes (Lancer N) 2.18.57
"Softly softly" that seems to be the attitude of
the top drivers as they head for the last 3 stages of this
Killarney Rally of the Lakes. Certainly as regards
rally leader Andrew Nesbitt he has told us that he intends
to pull back over the last 3 stages. Although
Andrew's lead is only 37s it should be enough in hand.
Andrew reports his car to be in A1 condition, no big
worries. Eamonn Boland is still ruing the spin he had
in stage 13, Lough Allua, but otherwise reports no real
problems, although from him like everyone else, tyre wear
and tyres losing grip is certainly a worry in today's
soaring temperatures.
Through stage 14 Fuhiry Nesbitt was again fastest with a
time of 9.53, Eamonn Boland was 10.04. Derek McGarrity
10.05. Through Borlin (SS15) Nesbitt, Boland and
McGarrity tied with a time of 8.39.
Derek McGarrity told us that his puncture in Lough Allua
which cost him any chance of victory, was a mystery to him
as to how it happened. It didn't happen on a bad jump
and he did not catch any of the stones which litter the
sides of the road on that tough test. Similarly
Trevor Cathers who lost the gpn lead trough a puncture
reckons that his flat wheel was simply down to hitting a
pothole. Donie O'Sullivan looks fairly well ensconced
in the gpN lead at the moment, and remarked "The
pressure' s off". After Cathers had the puncture
and got the wheel changed he caught Bob Fowden in the
stage, and had to do several miles behind him. Although
the Welshman is listed as 12th overall above and 4th in gpN
he could well be going no further because of a mechanical
problem with the car. A decision will be made at service.
Just outside the leaderboard - Tony Davies is still going
hard in the Metro 6R4 although Pete Doughty is taking
chunks of time out of the Metro now and we believe is now
in 13th position with the Metro 14th and Tom Randles 15th.
Denis Cronin's retirement is now confirmed - he finished
the Lough Allua stage but then parked the car because of a
broken clutch. We have reports in that James O'Sullivan the
023 Tiles man has retired following an accident in Fuhiry.
James had been leading his class until he got 2 punctures
earlier today. More later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON
|
