RALLY NEWS NO.2
Slieve Gullion-Saturday - noon
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 3 Big Gullion
1st (7) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Cellica) 10.00
2nd (4) David Armstrong/Herbie Blackburn (Escort) 10.07
3rd (1) Robin Philips/Mike Gibson (Corolla WRC) 10.13
4th (6) Gary White/Barry Taggart (Esc.Cos) 10.23
5th (59) James Gillen/Victor Carruthers (Esc.Cos) 10.24
6th (10) George Robinson/Tommy Speers (Esc.Cos) 10.28
7th (2) Denis Biggerstaff/Damian McCann (Metro 6R4) 10.34
8th (19) Alan Nesbitt/Fabian McShane (Escort G3) 10.36
9th (3) Derek McGarrity/James McKee (Impreza WRC) 10.37
10th (23) Johnny McKenna/Frank Contle (Escort) 10.41
11th (9) Stevie Whitford/Mark Crowe (Lancer) 10.59
(16) Alistair Cochrane/Gavin Burrows (Escort) 10.59
(30) Paul Gallagher/Karl Reid (Corolla) 10.59
Eugene Donnelly was puffing and panting at the end of the difficult Big Gullion
stage, testimony to how hard he was trying in his Celica to stamp his authority
on this Mourne Rally. Expected front runner Derek McGarrity emerged from
the stage with a fair bit of smoke issuing from his Subaru WRC. Derek reporting
a power steering problem. No.1 seed Robin Philips switched on his new
Corolla WRC amazingly quickly - Robin hasn't done a rally for 18 months - so it
was quite a performance to be lying 3rd after the first couple of stages. David
Armstrong in 2nd place reckons his Escort Cosworth hasn't the same puff as the
cars in fron. While Denis Biggerstaff gave the thumbs down sign, saying
"The car's OK but I'm not".
Top drivers in trouble at the end of that first stage included James Gillen, who
reckoned that his centre diff was giving up the ghost. Trevor Moore was
definitely going no further as his Escort Cosworth had blown it's'head gasket.
Event sponsor Jim Feenan of Formula Karting was running very late, and we hear
had some mechanical problem with his Escort Cosworth. John Cairns in the gpN
Subaru running at 18 did not emerge from the first stage.
More times include - Norman Armstrong on 11.43 having been off the road briefly.
Trevor Lancashire reported little grip and his total was 11.19. Martin
Taggart was on 11.17, with Enda Keenan on 11.43 also reporting very little grip.
Derek Jobb in the gpN Lancer had a total of 11.02, despite having 2nd gear
problems. Rodney White was on 11.04. Terence Teggart 11.08. Brian Muldoon 11.23,
with some brake troubles. Alan Nesbitt reported some clutch slip. More news
after stage 4…BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON
ACROPOLIS - Colin McRae leads from Burns. Martin had puncture. Kankkunen out.
Gwyndaf and our Chris - out - crankshaft oil seal, same as Welsh…..
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