1^st (11) Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Subaru WRC) 45.07.2

2^nd (14) Derek McGarrity/Dermot O'Gorman (Subaru WRC) 45.27.2

3^rd (16) Peadar Hurson/Ian Porter (Celica) 46.30.5

4^th (12) Jonny Milner/Nicky Beech (Corolla WRc) 46.31.5

5^th (20) Daniel & Michael Doherty (Subaru WRC) 46.42.8

6^th (1) Justin Dale/Andrew Bargery (Peugeot) 48.00.4

7^th (21) David Greer/Stephen McAuley (Corolla WRC) 48.02.1

8^th (17) Eamonn Boland/Francis Regan (Subaru WRC) 48.03.2

9^TH (24) Trevor Cathers/Dessie Wilson (Lancer N) 48.15.3

10^TH (25) Seamus Leonard/Kevin O'Brien (Impreza N) 48.19.0

Although shown as 2^nd overall above, Derek McGarrity has decided to call it a day here at Antrim service. The Glengormley man’s Subaru has had gear selection problems more or less from the start. Derek’s never sure what gear he is in coming into junctions and tight corners, now 2 gears have disappeared completely, and he has decided it is just too dangerous to continue, that he could very well have an accident, or blow engine and gearbox to pieces. Rally leader overnight Andrew Nesbitt commented at the end of the Tardree stage "The car is running really well, very happy, except that I can’t hear the pace notes because of this ear infection". In the Super 1600 category Gwyndaf Evans was fastest through stage 6 by 8s from Justin Dale, MG and Peugeot respectively. Simon Hughes in the Clio was just 1s slower than Dale which is pretty good going. Rory Galligan was hampered by his Peugeot’s badly cracked screen, making it very difficult in the dark.

Dramas in the Tardree stage included – Eamonn Boland having power steering problems in his Subaru WRC and then thumping a front guard in stage 3, dropping over a minute. Martin Rowe took it very easy through the stage, one of his Puma hubs collapsed and the wheel wobbling about. Martin was passed in the stage by Daniel Doherty, but it cost the Donegal man no time really. George Robinsons’ Escort Cosworth has stopped in that stage 6, we think with a mechanical problem. Seamus Heron's’Lancer appeared at stage end with a rear right wheel hanging off following a lurid spin and the rear corner of the Lancer thumping a bank. We hear now an unconfirmed report that Keith McIvor (No.47) has got his car sideways in the stage and is blocking the road.

A brief summary of the various one make championships include – Shaun Gallagher continues to lead the Peugeot 206 Super Cup by approximately 25s from Garry Jennings, although Garry was fastest through stage 6. In the Ford Ireland Focus series Colm Murphy has almost half a minute in hand over Cathal O’Reilly. In the Puma 1400 series Ian Forgan leads Ryan Champion by 5s with Darren Snape 3^rd. Champion has reverse gear troubles. In the Ford Ka series Rob Chalmers leads Shaun Woffinden by 3s. In the Historic part of the rally Philip Wylie leads in his MGB. Martin Boyle was in front but wrong slotted on the mototway and got 4m road penalty. Martin Freestone is the best Post Historic. Finally for now – congratulations to Lucy Ford-Hutchinson, leading the Micra battle by half a second earlier from Jeremy Taylor. Lucy has just got engaged this week to Stevie Whitford! Aisling Dooris crashed her Swift out in Tardree first time through. BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON