1^st (11) Mark Higgins/Mike Gibson (Focus) 1.22.07.1

2^nd (17) Tapio Laukkanen/Ilka Riipinen (Impreza N) 1.22.16.2

3^rd (15) Jonny Milner/Nicky Beech (Corolla WRC) 1.22.44.0

4^th (18) Steve Petch/John Richardson (Hyundai WRC) 1.24.42.2

5^th (14) David Higgins/Daniel Barritt (Impreza N) 1.24.43.0

6^th (25) Johan Kressner/Cato Menkerud (Impreza WRC) 1.24.45.6

7^th (23) Glyn Jones/Craig Parry (Impreza WRC) 1.25.57.9

8^th (1) Gwyndaf Evans/Chris Patterson (MG ZR) 1.26.21.5

9^th (31) Nik Elsmore/Huw Lewis (Lancer N) 1.26.22.6

10^th (28) Leon Pesticcio/Howard Davies (Lancer N) 1.26.30.0

Just 35 cars started this second day of the Pirelli International Rally and already that is being reduced – the news from the first of today’s stages, Falstone, is that Austin McHale has crashed his Corolla out of the rally. Robert Woodside has crashed the McKinstry Subaru, and although David Higgins is listed as 5^th overall above and has completed the stage, we believe that the Barretts Subaru has an engine problem and has retired. James Thompson has lost 10m with an accident.

Mark Higgins avoided the pitfalls of the tough Falstone stage and set fastest time of 14.44.2 to move ahead of Laukkanen by 9s having started the day 7s behind. Jonny Milner was 5s slower than Higgins and the only other driver to break the 15 minute barrier. Laukkanen was 3^rd fastest on 15.04.9 and that was despite minor niggles with the water injection not working properly, and also a soft tyre at stage finish. Mark Higgins did report a small brake problem with the Focus. Jonny Milner seemed to be trouble free and Steve Petch crossed the finish line on another car’s rear bumper, which cost a few seconds and also caused a little confusion for the time keepers.

We have little news on McHale’s accident – but apparently it wasn’t a small one, driver and co driver are OK, there was a small fire in the car which was put out. Robert Woodside has reportedly rolled the Subaru, but again no hard and fast story…as yet.

In the Super 1600 category, Gwyndaf Evans was fastest, on 15.49.7, Kris Meeke went well and recorded 15.57.7 to close the gap on Guy Wilks. Rory Galligan had all sorts of problems and recorded 16.16.1 and Justin Dale 16.14.6. Gwyndaf apparently spent quite a bit of time after the stage finish trying to sort out something in the front suspension. While Galligan reported a problem with the rear brakes, the gear shift light being permanently on 3^rd and a front right shock absorber incurred some damage. Guy Wilks told of his flat gear change micro switch being broken. Meeke reported that he was driving well within himself. Martin Sansom reported his car’s handling gone off. Further stories from this morning included – Bob Ceen incurring a 40s penalty when his Subaru was 4 minutes late out of parc ferme. Andreas Eriksson’s Puma was moved from S1600 to gpA overnight. More news later….BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON (with thanks to Michael Patterson & Zoe Todd)