RallyNews LIVE from the Lark in the Park 2002

RALLY NEWS NO.3 St.Columb's Park - Saturday noon
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 2
1st (2) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Celica) 2.15.3
2nd (3) Denis Biggerstaff/Damien McCann (Metro 6R4) 2.15.9
3rd (4) Ivan Stewart/Marie Lynch (Esc.Cos) 2.18.1
4th (1) Richard Hogg/Mark Hanna (Celica) 2.18.6
5th (9) Andrew Stewart/Fabian McShane (Lancer N) 2.19.6
6th (5) Charlie Donnelly/John Conway (Celica) 2.21.6
7th (6) Terence McLaughlin/Sean McLaughlin (Esc.Cos) 2.21.7
8th (21) Eugene Ferry/John Gallagher (Escort) 2.23.3
9th (16) Sean Devine/Gemma Ward (Subaru N) 2.23.9
10th (26) Thomas Keys/Kelvin Keys (Escort) 2.24.1

The pace is hotting up at the front of this Lark in the Park, with just half a second separating Eugene Donnelly and Denis Biggerstaff following this 2nd stage. Biggerstaff was fastest on stage 2, his Metro 6R4 almost half a second up on Donnelly. Biggerstaff said "It's time I got the finger out". While Eugene Donnelly seemed almost too relaxed, and said "Sure it's a drive in the park!"

Charlie Donnelly reported his Celica to have "no go in her". Richard Hogg was laughing when he got to the end of the stage, and said "For a 10 year old car this thing can fairly go, she's some job". Sean Cassidy reported his Escort Cosworth to be "all over the road". David McGlaughlin in the Dermot Kelly Escort Cosworth switched the anti lag off that time and it seemed to help matters. Eugene Ferry reported making a mess of one corner - left his braking too late and had a big spin. But according to the clocks it cost no time. Greg McCormack in a similar Mk2 Escort did lose time when he attempted to take the wrong road.

In GpN Andrew Stewart is still the man to beat. Some other gpN totals include - Gavin Harris on 2.36.1. Raymond McLaughlin 2.25.6. Robert Riley is on 2.24.7. Paul Britton is 2.32.0. Brendan Connor is having rear brake sticking on problems and he is on 2.36.0.

Martin Howley in the Escort Cosworth made a mess of the square left corner and his total is 2.27.6. Daniel Conaghan broke half shaft, lost few seconds. Looking back to stage 1 - fastest of the Historics was Norman Kerr by a split second from John Keatley - both in Mk1 Escorts. Mervyn Johnson 3rd in the Mini.
Swansea Bay Rally - Milner leading in a Hyundai WRC from Mark Perrott - no sign of McKinstry yet….(thanks to Stevie Whiteford)
More news later. BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net