RallyNews No6 Manx International Rally

MANX TAILS NO.6 Jurby-service-Friday 2.30pm
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 9 The Gate 2
1st (14) Jonny Milner/Nicky Beech (Corolla WRC) 1.17.12.1
2nd (15) Mark Higgins/Craig Thorley (Corolla WRC) 1.17.23.1
3rd (16) Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Impreza WRC) 1.19.44.3
4th (11) David Higgins/Daniel Barritt (Impreza N) 1.21.24.9
5th (17) Eamonn Boland/Francis Regan (Impreza WRC) 1.22.01.6
6th (1) Justin Dale/Andrew Bargery (Peugeot) 1.23.06.4
7th (20) Alistair Ginley/Rory Kennedy (Lancer N) 1.24.36.9
8th (21) Trevor Cathers/D.Wilson (Lancer N) 1.24.53.6
9th (31) Dickie Curran/Gary Lyons (Lancer N) 1.25.15.7
10th (23) Robert Watson/Sean Crellin (Impreza) 1.25.30.4

On the Round Table stage Andrew Nesbitt was fastest by 2s from Jonny Milner with Mark Higgins a further 2 back and then over stage 9, The Gate, longest test on this Manx Rally, Milner pulverised the opposition, 30s up on Nesbitt, 32s up on Mark Higgins. Pirelli British Championship leader Milner commented when he reached this Jurby regroup service "We're pushing hard, not trying to be too brave, the car is a bit sideways at times, and I would prefer a little understeer. But I'm being sensible and I know if I have the right Pirelli tyre we will push. It's still early days however in this rally". Andrew Nesbitt reported a bit of a spin in stage 9 but was still fairly surprised at Jonny's time. Mark Higgins stalled the engine at the start of stage 8, and he also had a small spin in stage 9, but Mark seemed very surprised at Jonny's time, which was enough to put the Yorkshireman into the lead of the rally.

In the Super 1600 category Justin Dale has throttled his Peugeot back considerably to try to hit a steady pace. Simon Hughes was fastest 1600 through stage 9 in his Clio, Martin Sansom 2nd fastest. Rory Galligan has retired his 206 with a broken cam belt. Kris Meeke is struggling to stay in the event - his Puma's smashed windscreen causing misting up problems and although the car's wiring loom has just been changed, there is still an electrical glitch which means that if Kris stalls the engine at all, it won't re-start. Not the best of circumstances for the young Co. Tyrone man. Stuart Darcy's Puma has stopped, oil on the clutch too much for it. Nigel & Michaela Cannell have also retired, their Corsa succumbing to gearbox trouble. They had been leading their class.

David Higgins commented "The conditions are not the best for group N, there were places on that last stage were very high speed, and then it's a struggle to get slowed down". Guy Woodcock has had a good run over the last couple of stages and he is now up to 12th overall, having lost time earlier with wiper troubles. Steve Petch arrived into service with the front of his Hyundai WRC fairly crumpled, co-driver John Richardson reporting "It was a slippy square left in stage 8 and we went straight over a wall and got stuck in the ditch. A posse of Wensleydale men appeared from nowhere and lifted the car into the field. We were able to drive out the gate, but then got caught behind another competitor who was struggling with a puncture, lost several minutes". Paul Alexander in the Co-Ordsport backed Lancer damaged wheels in stages 8 & 9, lost many minutes. More news later. BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net