UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 8

1ST (1) Trevor Moore/Philip McCrea (Escort) 35.18

2ND (3) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Celica) 35.23

3RD (7) Stephen Whitford/Mark Crowe (Lancer N) 35.26

4TH (4) Denis Biggerstaff/Damien McCann (Metro) 35.59

5TH (5) James Gillen/Victor Carrothers (Escort) 36.21

6TH (9) Gary White/Barry Taggart (Escort WRC) 36.47

7TH (16) Greg McCormack/John Magee (Escort) 36.58

8TH (17) Raymond Mason/Peter Martin (Subaru N) 37.00

9TH (21) James Cassidy/Damien Duffin (G4 Escort) 37.10

10TH (25) Mark Barnett/Martin McNicholl (Escort) 37.21

Number one seed and number one again for Trevor Moore and Philip McCrea in their Moores Autowash Escort. Trevor never put a foot wrong all day in extremely difficult conditions "It was more a question of staying on the road today" was how the Glengormley man described things, "I am just really pleased, and it was a great battle with Eugene and Stephen Whitford at the end there". Indeed it was a battle over the final two stages. Eugene Donnelly admitted to backing off over the final Moydamlaght stage, while Stephen Whitford had a real try to set fastest time in the DGM Lancer to not only take third overall but a superb GpN victory.

Unfortunately the overall leaderboard above is very provisional. Stage eight has been stopped due to an accident involving Brian McCluskey and co-driver Francis Regan. Francis asked for medical assistance for Brian who has jarred his back in what is reported to be a fairly minor incident. As a result we have no times for SS8 , and have given some of the drivers affected by the stoppage a nominal time.

Denis Biggerstaff could do nothing about catching Whitford, the former Northern Ireland Champion saying "we tried hard but couldn't match the boys in front. I have got to win one soon". James Gillen was problem free over the final two stages, though Gary White and Barry Taggart had a spin on the final stage.

Greg McCormack did a marvellous job to win class 7 and top 2wd finisher, while James Cassidy was similarly impressive in winning class 5 and taking 9th overall in his G3 Escort. Frank Kelly is reportedly stopped on the final stage.

Well done to Magherafelt and District MC on another well run event today, run under difficult conditions. Congratulations to COC Paddy McKinney and event Co-Ordinator Alan Bolton. Many thanks to all those who supported us today and a special thank you to Ian Beasant. Michael Patterson and Zoe Todd