UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 3

1^st (1) Colin McRae/Richard Dunwoody (Ford Focus WRc) 7.35.7

2^nd (2) Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Subaru WRC) 7.42.1

3^rd (3) Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Corolla WRC) 7.43.1

4^th (11) Maurice Gass/Geoffrey Orr (Subaru WRC) 7.52.7

5^th (4) Derek McGarrity/Willie McKee (Subaru WRc) 7.52.9

6^th (9) Michael Barrable/Linda Barrable (Subaru WRC) 7.53.9

7^th (10) David Greer/Rory Kennedy (Corolla WRC) 7.57.6

8^th (8) Robert Woodside/Graham McKee (Subaru WRC) 7.57.9

9^th (7) Peadar Hurson/Ian Porter (Celica) 7.59.3

10^th (14) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Nagle (Celica) 8.01.0

On stage 3 Colin McRae was again fastest, but this time it was Austin MacHale 2^nd fastest by just .1 of a second from Andrew Nesbitt. McRae is revelling in the fabulous atmosphere of this Punchestown event. The traffic still queued almost the whole way to Naas as the fans wait patiently for a glimpse of the World Rally Championship hero. Austin MacHale said of his own run "It was good that time I think we can go quicker". Andrew Nesbitt said "The noise in the transmission is still there, we checked the prop shaft and it’s not that. I’m jut ignoring it and that was a lovely run". Maurice Gass improved on his first 2 stages to just hold on to 4^th place overall, but the man closing in on that 4^th spot is Michael Barrable. It took Michael a while to settle and with his wife Linda on board he set 4^th fastest time overall. Eugene Donnelly had Paul Nagle co-driving on that stage 3 and his times immediately improved by 3s, with Paul on the pace notes. James Cullen’s Subaru continues to jump out of 1^st gear, James just outside the l/board on 8.03.9. Hugh Dunne is on 8.10.0. Liam McCarthy 8.12.2.

Drivers in trouble include Ollie O’Donovan, his Subaru cut out several

times on that 3^rd stage and the car had to be pushed over the finish line. Francis Corrigan crashed the front left corner of his red Lancer but made the finish OK. Natalie Barrett did indeed retire her Hyundai after stage 2 because of erratic handling, down to the transmission acting strange. Stage 3 incidents include – Peadar Hurson missing a gear but still had a good time. Robert Woodside clipped a bank with a front left wheel and he was slightly slower that time. Maurice Gass reported some big stones and tyres on the track that time. Gerry McVeigh had a massive moment at the finish, mowed down several tyres and happily just missed the timing equipment.

In Group N James Foley was leading after the first 2 stages, but he was slowed in stage 3 when his intercom plug lead fell out after a jump. Aaron MacHale was in 2^nd place, Garry Jennings in 3^rd despite clutch problems. Seamus Leonard 4^th. Seamus reckons his car does not seem sharp today.

In the Ford Ireland Focus Challenge – Oliver Stanley led after stage 1 by 4s from Brendan Kelly with Cahal O’Reilly 3^rd.

More news after stage 4: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net