|
RALLY NEWS NO.3
Mitchelstown/Service/Sunday 2.30
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 3
1st (3) Dominic McNeill/Francis Regan (Esc WRC) 28.54
2nd (8) Ollie O'Donovan/David Moynihan (Legacy) 30.10
3rd (7) Niall Driver/Francis Corrigan (Lancer) 30.19
4th (2) Kevin O'Kane/Stephen Griffiths (Impreza) 30.34
5th (16) Eddie & Tom Kinirons (Celica) 30.52
Some more times -
Paul Staunton 31.27: Liam McGrath 31.33: Garry Jennings 31.13: Andrew
Mackeral 31.25:
Leaderboard is very provisional at the moment - John McKeown had an accident
in stage 2, Kilcoran, this caused many of the cars to be re-routed and there
has been a delay at the start of stage 3. One driver in particular who
could be on the leaderboard is Pete Willougby - but as yet there is no sign
of the Pitlane Lancer. Eugene Donnelly and Eamonn Boland are also running
very late. They were each of the road in stage 2 and managed to get going -
Eugene's Celica reportedly in a field, but with no damage. Boland off on a
slippy square right, again with no real damage. With stage 2 being
"interrupted" Eugene and Eamonn may escape penalty - that remains
to be seen. We have no definitive news on how John McKeown or his co driver
Martin Carey are, but we believe they have been taken to hospital.
Further retirements include Peter McCullagh, whose Escort Cosworth is
reportedly stopped just before the end of stage 3, Kilworth Wood, with some
sort of small fire. John McCarthy went out when his Escort Cosworth
smashed a wheel.
Out t the front of the rally Dominic McNeill is setting a scorching pace,
although Dominic told us "We've had a few problems, a broken driveshaft
at the end of stage 1 and some anti lag trouble. Main difficulty though
is having bother concentrating - I've hardly any sleep on the run up to the
rally, working at the cars". Kevin O'Kane reports no problems but
didn't look at all happy, particularly regarding his stage 1 time.
Ollie O'Donovan made a slow start - 11th fastest on the first stage - but set
good times through stages 2 and 3. That was despite a rear wheel
bursting in stage 2
when it connected with a big rock. James Murphy continues to set a good pace
in his newly acquired Escort Cosworth and he reports no problems. Garry
Jennings in the Peugeot set a superb time in stage 1 - 12s faster than Max
McKillen in the Saxo. Finally for now many many thanks to Bill Adair
for fixing our punctured Pirelli P6000 from the Merc!! Our thanks also to
Dougie Hughes. BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON
|
