RallyNews LIVE from the Lark in the Park 2002

RALLY NEWS NO.2                St.Columb's Park - Saturday 10.45

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 1
1st (2) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Celica) 48.7
2nd (3) Denis Biggerstaff/Damien McCann (Metro 6R4) 49.7
      (4) Ivan Stewart/Marie Lynch (Esc.Cos) 49.7
4th (1) Richard Hogg/Mark Hanna (Celica) 49.9
5th (21) Eugene Ferry/John Gallagher (Escort) 50.0
6th (6) Terence McLaughlin/Sean McLaughlin (Esc.Cos) 50.7
7th (9) Andrew Stewart/Fabian McShane (Lancer N) 50.8
8th (10) Jim Crozier/Aisling Dooris (Proton) 52.0
9th (23) Conor McMeel/Sean Devlin (Escort) 52.1
10th (5) Charlie Donnelly/John Conway (Celica) 52.8

Last year's winner Richard Hogg completed the first stage here at Lark in the Park on his first proper run in a Toyota Celica and commented "It's early days, the stage is good, fairly well dried out after last night's rain. The car feels very "taily", very sideways, but OK". Eugene Donnelly who is 2nd on the road and fastest initially told us "The car is not selecting 3rd gear properly, otherwise OK". Northern Ireland Champion, Denis Biggerstaff, echoing the thoughts of many of the drivers, said "Being a bit careful to start".

Cold tyres always present their own problems on a short sharp event like this Lark in the Park, and indeed despite the sunshine, a cool breeze is keeping the temperature down, and several drivers suffered with sliding straight on a early corners. Amongst them was Charlie Donnelly, on his first outing for many months. Sean Cassidy had a slide on at the bottom corner. Jim McIvor admitted to a bit of a mistake at one corner. David McGlaughlin is out for the first time in Dermot Kelly's Escort Cosworth, and David was looking more than a little perplexed at stage finish as he tried to get used to the gear change and steering, but still recorded a very respectable time of 53.3.

Some other times included - Sean Cassidy on 56.9. Gavin Harris in the gpN Subaru 56.8. Gavin thought he had a good run and was a bit disappointed with his time. Sean Devine in his gpN Impreza recorded 55s. Brendan Connor had some problems with his handbrake in his gpN Lancer, and stopped the clock just over 56s. Greg McCormack was on 53.1 and looking with some surprise at fellow Escort Mk2 man Eugene Ferry's 50s. More news after stage 2. BRIAN AND LIZ PTTERSON         www.rallynews.net