From the very wet Glens of Antrim….

1^st (11) Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Subaru WRC) 22.41.8

2^nd (14) Derek McGarrity/Dermot O'Gorman (Subaru WRC) 22.46.2

3^rd (20) Daniel & Michael Doherty (Subaru WRC) 23.21.5

4^th (16) Peadar Hurson/Ian Porter (Celica) 23.22.5

5^th (17) Eamonn Boland/Francis Regan (Subaru WRC) 23.22.7

6^th (12) Jonny Milner/Nicky Beech (Corolla WRc) 23.25.8

7^th (1) Justin Dale/Andrew Bargery (Peugeot) 23.54.7

8^th (21) David Greer/Stephen McAuley (Corolla WRC) 24.08.4

9^th (22) Maurice Gass/Geoffrey Orr (Subaru WRC) 24.09.9

10^th (24) Trevor Cathers/Dessie Wilson (Lancer N) 24.13.5

Andrew Nesbitt was fastest through stage 1 Tardree, and then fastest again through stage 2 Orra Lodge, but by just over a second from Derek McGarrity. Then on stage 3 McGarrity was 3s up on Tarmac Champion Nesbitt. It’s very tight stuff indeed. Nesbitt reckons that he picked the wrong tyres to start off with, and of course he had to do all 3 stages on the same intermediate rubber. McGarrity has a slight problem with his Subaru’s clutch/gear change mechanism, and Derek is hoping to geet the transmission computer re-mapped here at service. Daniel & Michael Doherty in 3^rd place have a slight looseness in a hub bearing but otherwise going well. Peadar Hurson in 4^th had an overshoot on the first stage and then couldn’t find reverse to get back on course. This knocked the Co. Down man off his tracks a little, but he had a really good time in stage 3, Torr Head, just 1s slower than Nesbitt. Eamonn Boland in 5^th is hoping that the Dom Buckley mechanics will change his gearbox here at service. While Pirelli British Championship leader Jonny Milner admits that he is a second a mile off the pace, following a confidence knocking understeer moment on the first stage, Jonny saying "It’s not so bad on the fast stuff more on the slow corners".

Justin Dale continues to lead the Super 1600 category, Justin happy with his performance over the last couple of stages, and commented on the new suspension. "When we get 2 jumps together I have to take it a bit steady, but it handles so well on the rest that it outweighs the caution". Guy Wilks is now on a total of 25.08.0, just over a minute down on Justin. Guy admitting to wrong slotting on a left 5 junction on Torr Head, and had to reverse. Martin Rowe’s total is 24.22.3, Martin hoping to get the suspension revised here at service. Rory Galligan dropped 3 mins on his first stage accident and has been dropped a little more time on stages 2 and 3, his 206’s suspension bent after the accident. Gwyndaf Evans changed the plugs on his MG himself, but the engine still seems to be on 3 cylinders. Gwyndaf is well over a minute down on Dale. Simon Hughes is now 3^rd in Super 1600 behind Martin Rowe.

As can be seen above Trevor Cathers leads gpN with Seamus Leonard 2^nd, Seamus Heron 3^rd and Leon Pesticcio in the Promax prepared Lancer 4^th. Leonard survived a hair raising 5 left 5 right wall of death on Orra Lodge. Further snippets – Davy Greer’s Corolla WRC in brake troubles. Garry Jennings still in major clutch problems in the Peuget Super Cup car. More news later. BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON