RallyNews LIVE from the Lark in the Park 2002

RALLY NEWS NO.4 St.Columb's Park - Saturday 1.15
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 3
1st (3) Denis Biggerstaff/Damien McCann (Metro 6R4) 3.41.1
2nd (2) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Celica) 3.42.8
3rd (1) Richard Hogg/Mark Hanna (Celica) 3.45.3
4th (4) Ivan Stewart/Marie Lynch (Esc.Cos) 3.46.0
5th (9) Andrew Stewart/Fabian McShane (Lancer N) 3.48.7
6th (5) Charlie Donnelly/John Conway (Celica) 3.49.3
7th (6) Terence McLaughlin/Sean McLaughlin (Esc.Cos) 3.49.9
8th (21) Eugene Ferry/John Gallagher (Escort) 3.53.0
9th (26) Thomas Keys/Kelvin Keys (Escort) 3.54.9
10th (7) Sean Cassidy/Martina Doyle (Esc.Cos) 3.55.4

Denis Biggerstaff really got the hammer down through stage 3 to set his 2nd fastest time, and move into the lead ahead of Eugene Donnelly. Richard Hogg was 2nd fastest and moved from 4th to 3rd ahead of Ivan Stewart. Eugene Donnelly is in trouble with his Celica. There is a pin broken in the gear selector mechanism, and Eugene had to complete most of that 3rd stage with his Bio-Clear Celica stuck in 3rd gear. The Maghera man is not at all certain that the can get the car repaired so that he can continue for the second half of the rally.

Northern Ireland Champion Denis Biggerstaff looked very composed and very determined when he finished that 3rd stage. He knew he had driven well. First on the road Richard Hogg also confessed to trying very hard, but in his case it was a slightly wilder effort, with his Celica sliding about and up on 2 wheels on occasion. Charlie Donnelly was another who felt he had had a good run and indeed it was reflected in his time. Charlie, however, must be slightly rusty when it comes to special stage driving, and his Celica does seem to be down on power.

The times are all so close here at this Lark in the Park that one mild moment at an uphill square left was enough to move Ivan Stewart from 3rd to 4th. Sean Cassidy moved into the back of the top 10 on that stage, the Moss Tiles man reporting a new set of tyres making all the difference.

Despite a slight overshoot Andrew Stewart recorded fastest gpN time again to reinforce his lead in the category. Some other gpN times include - Sean Devine 3.56.4. Raymond McLoughlin 3.58.2. Brendan Connor 4.11.2. Paul Britton now with clutch fixed 4.06.6. Gavin Harris 4.12.6. HISTORICS: John Keatley took out the spare wheel and the jack and it paid off as he got ahead of Norman Kerr on the 2nd stage. More news later. BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net