1^st Kenny McKinstry/Noel Orr (Subaru) 16.11.0

2^nd Mark Perrott/Garry Mansell (Escort WRC) 16.14.9

3^rd Roger Duckworth/Mark Broomfield (Subaru) 16.27.6

David Mann/Alun Cook (Subaru) 16.27.6

5^th Steve Hill/Andrew Bargery (Lancer) 16.33.3

6^th Warren Philliskirk/Eurig Evans (6R4) 16.39.5

No times in as yet for Ollie O’Donovan or Richard Moore who were lying 7^th and 8^th respectively after stage 3.

Some more totals from the early cars include Steve Hendy/Mark Milton in their Escort Cosworth on 16.41.3: Steve Petch/John Richardson (Hyundai) 16.43.6: Steve Fleck/George Thaw (Subaru) 16.44.9: Charlie Payne/Craig Thorley (Lancer) 16.57.8.

Out at the front of the rally Mark Perrott has been setting some stunning times through stages 4 and 5, Stapehill and Ebblake. The emphasis of the rally has changed somewhat now that the front cars have moved into the gravel stages. Steve Fleck for example was in the top 3 on the tarmac, but has dropped back significantly in the forest. Steve Petch is showing the opposite trent – struggling on the tarmac but flying the forest. Young Mark Perrott is however the talking point at the moment and is putting McKinstry under real pressure, although Kenny lost a fair bit of time in stage 5 when his Subaru WRC suffered a major spin.

In Group N Kevin Stephens in his new Lancer Evo7 was leading after stage 3 from Mark I’Anson, less than 5s between the two, third was Andrew Hadden and 4^th Jeremy Easson, all in Mitsubishi Lancers, and battling for Mitsubishi Challenge points.

Looking back a little further – after stage 3 – young Craig Middleton was leading class 7. Andy Gwynne was leading class 6. Eric Weaver was leading class 11 and Martin Evans class 5.

News of further retirements include….Guy Woodcock’s RS2000 being withdrawn after stage 3 because of a damaged engine.

More news to follow after stage 7…BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON

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