RALLY NEWS NO.1 SERVICE IN SAT 12.00PM GLEN GAA GROUNDS

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE ONE

1ST (4) Denis Biggerstaff/Damien McCann (6R4) 2.06

2ND (10) Richard Hogg/Mark Hanna (Evo 5 N) 2.07

3RD (3) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Celica) 2.08

= (8) Kevin O'Kane/Stephen Griffith (Subaru) 2.08

5TH (1) Trevor Moore/Philip McCrea (Escort Cos) 2.09

= (2) Derek McGarrity/James McKee (Impreza WRC) 2.09

= (5) James Gillen/Victor Carrothers (Escort) 2.09

8TH (9) Gary White/Barry Taggart (Escort WRC) 2.10

= (11) Richard Hall/Declan Campbell (Escort WRC) 2.10

= (21) James Cassidy/Damien Duffin (G4 Escort) 2.10

11TH (7) Stephen Whitford/Mark Crowe (Lancer E6 N) 2.11

= (16) Greg McCormack/John Magee (Escort) 2.11

Denis Biggerstaff defied the wet and slippy conditions in the opening stage Glenshane. Shrouded in low cloud and with a consistent drizzle, the conditions were pretty grim, though the Dromara man was surprised to be quickest. "We took it cautious" was how Denis described his run, going on to explain how slippy the stage was.

Next up was Richard Hogg in his GpN Lancer, the Limavady man also surprised at his pace "I thought I was just alright" said Richard. He already has a clear lead in the category, and Stephen Whitford's chances of challenging today have already taken a knock. Whitford putting the DGM Lancer off on the very first corner, damaging the right rear corner of the car but not losing to much time.

Pre rally favourites Trevor Moore and Derek McGarrity both found the opening test very slippy, Derek describing it as "slippy as hell - very cautious" both he and Moore just ever so slightly off the pace.

Gary White was off the road on the third corner of the stage, Gary saying he was lucky to get away with it, but still set a good time. Richard Hall is out in his new Escort WRC, and struggled to hear the pacenotes as it is so noisey inside the car.

In the 2wd battle James Cassidy looks like he could be the dark horse today, James running on new Kuhmo tyres, he felt they were floating a little in the stage. Greg McCormick was without notes for most of the stage, but still set a very competitive 2.11. Keith White reported no problems in his Escort, and is just off the leaderboard on a total of 2.13.

Late times just in from stage two are Eugene Donnelly fastest on 8.15, Moore 8.16, McGarrity 8.23, Whitford 8.23, Biggerstaff 8.24 and Richard Hogg 8.25.