1^st (11) Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Subaru WRC) 1.11.56.2

2^nd (12) Jonny Milner/Nicky Beech (Corolla WRc) 1.13.35.9

3^rd (20) Daniel & Michael Doherty (Subaru WRC) 1.14.10.2

4^th (17) Eamonn Boland/Francis Regan (Subaru WRC) 1.16.12.1

5^th (1) Justin Dale/Andrew Bargery (Peugeot) 1.16.20.0

6^th (25) Seamus Leonard/Kevin O'Brien (Impreza N) 1.16.42.7

7^th (24) Trevor Cathers/Dessie Wilson (Lancer N) 1.16.43.1

8^th (15) Gwyndaf Evans/Chris Patterson (MG ZR) 1.16.46.6

9^th (22) Maurice Gass/Geoffrey Orr (Subaru WRC) 1.16.56.9

10^th (21) David Greer/Stephen McAuley (Corolla WRC) 1.17.17.3

Just outside the leaderboard – Leon Pesticcio 1.17.45.2: Roy White 1.17.59.8:

"Just like driving on ice" was Andrew Nesbitt’s comment when he came in from the Barnes Gap stage, the Tarmac Champion continuing "We have eased back a little now that McGarrity has retired." The slippy conditions have caught out several of the top drivers this morning. Peadar Hurson was in a ditch in the ever slippy Davagh, only lost a few seconds, but then went off the road again on stage 8, Doraville, and couldn’t get going. Simon Hughes was 3^rd in the Super 1600 category but unfortunately he has parked his Clio in a stage 8 bog and can’t get out.

Justin Dale continues to lead the Super 1600 category but Gwyndaf Evans is on a charge, 2^nd fastest overall through stage 7, Davagh, and right on the pace through stages 8 and 9. Gwyndaf commented ""f course we are taking chances, not big ones, not 100 per cent, but I wouldn't like to be going much quicker. The car is fine now". Justin Dale commented "It’s slippy and wet, we had a bit of a go on the last 2 stages, no problems". Martin Rowe is making no impression on the top Super 1600 times, Martin struggling with niggly problems with the car, to leave Guy Wilks next Super 1600 in his Puma, behind Gwyndaf.

In the Peugeot 206 Super Cup Garry Jennings in the Fisher Engineering supported car has moved ahead of overnight leader Shaun Gallagher. Jennings as ever brilliant in the slippy conditions.

Other stories this morning included – David Greer telling us he is just being a bit too cautious. As was Trevor Cathers initially, although Trevor went on to say "You can’t fight if you’re not there". It was Seamus Leonard who set the early gpN pace through Davagh, but then Cathers responded, while Leonard had a front puncture 2 miles from the end of stage 9 but lost little time. Eamonn Boland is still struggling with gear selector troubles.

Overnight class leaders included – Ollie Marshall in cl.A7 in his Golf. Alan McMahon Cl.N3 in his Integra. Vicente Frontinan led cl.N2 in his Civic. The newly engaged Lucy Ford-Hutchinson led cl.1 in her Micra by just a few seconds from Jeremy Taylor. More later. BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON