RallyNews No3 Manx International Rally

MANX TAILS NO.3 Douglas-Grandstand-Thursday 11.15pm
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 5 (last Thursday stage)
1st (15) Mark Higgins/Craig Thorley (Corolla WRC) 36.17.6
2nd (16) Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Impreza WRC) 36.46.7
3rd (14) Jonny Milner/Nicky Beech (Corolla WRC) 36.50.4
4th (11) David Higgins/Daniel Barritt (Impreza N) 38.43.9
5th (1) Justin Dale/Andrew Bargery (Peugeot) 38.57.0
6th (17) Eamonn Boland/Francis Regan (Impreza WRC) 38.58.8
7th (5) Rory Galligan/Gordon Noble (Peugeot) 39.38.4
8th (4) Guy Wilkes/Roger Heron (Ford Puma) 39.52.4
9th (20) Alistair Ginley/Rory Kennedy (Lancer N) 40.07.6
10th (3) Kris Meeke/Glenn Patterson (Ford Puma) 40.09.5
Just outside the leaderboard - 11th Trevor Cathers: 12th Robert Watson: 13th Dickie Curran: 14th Martin Sansom: 15th Guy Woodcock:

Mark Higgins dominated the time sheets over the first 2 stages. On stage 3 it was Jonny Milner fastest, in stage 4 it was Mark Higgins' turn again to be fastest, and then on stage 5, the 2nd run over the short Castletown spectator stage, Andrew Nesbitt was far and away fastest. Through all this David Higgins has maintained 4th place overall, and very much in control of the group N category in his Barrett's Subaru. Mark Higgins commented here at the Grandstand "We took it steady on stage 3, Round Table, I never go well there anyway. I'm happy enough with my pace, but I'm a bit worried about a knocking noise in the region of the differential. It slightly jammed in gear once or twice". Jonny Milner said "I was a bit cautious in Castletown, otherwise verything has gone well and on the Round Table we just got through before any rain appeared". Andrew Nesbitt commented "We've got the brakes sorted now. I made slightly the wrong tyre choice for Round Table so looking at the pace I'm happy enough".

Justin Dale continues to lead the Super 1600 category in the Peugeot 206, with his team mate Rory Galligan in reasonably close attendance. Guy Wilkes set a really nice pace through the first 2 stages, but he lost quite a few seconds in stage 3, when at the end of a very long straight he braked hard for a left 5 and his Puma slithered on up a grassy bank and got beached. Any chance of James Thompson having a good Super 1600 result went west on stage 3 when his 106 received a front puncture, and when James stopped to change it, the car was on a slight hill and fell off the jack. In all costing about 5 minutes. David Henderson has battled brake troubles from the start, the mechanics are now going to change the master cylinder. Considering the car has been braking on the rear only David is happy with his times.

Simon Hughes in the Renault Clio is now 22nd overall, the car running hot over the last few stages as Simon could not switch the engine off because of a problem with a relay. Alistair Ginley's co driver Rory Kennedy has felt they have gone well this evening except for stage 2 where they "just didn't gell". Trevor Cathers is going better now that his Lancer's anti lag system has been sorted. Donie O'Sullivan feels that his gpN Subaru is down on power. Garry Jennings has discovered that his Lancer is also down on power with little turbo boost. More news in the morning. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON

Just so everybody is in the picture - RallyNews maybe a bit delayed with its on line service. Its 01.30am in Cyprus - still 35c - and the Keo is good!!!!! - work it out for yourself!!!! - the RallyNews Webmaster!!!!!