RALLY NEWS NO.4                   Clonakilty-Saturday 3.30

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 5 (Ring 2)
1st (3) Melvyn Evans/Alun Davies (Escort WRC) 38.26
2nd (6) Jim Harrison/Harvey Bell (Subaru Imp.WRC) 38.53
3rd (18) Steve Fleck/Mark Aspinall (Subaru Impreza) 39.03
4th (4) Pete Doughty/Tim Sturla (Subaru Impreza) 39.04
5th (1) John Price/Caroline Price (6R4) 39.14
6th (9) Bob Fowden/Jerry Hynes (Lancer) 39.27
7th (12) Ollie O'Donovan/David Moynihan (Subaru Legacy) 39.34
8th (8) Tommy Graham/Sean Mullally (Subaru Imp.WRC) 39.49
9th (7) Tony Davies/Brian Hardie (6R4) 39.52
10th (32) Sean Keenan/Michael O'Riordan (Celica) 40.00
      (10) Johnny O'Sullivan/Pat Cashman (Escort WRC) 40.00
12th (14) JJ Fleming/Robbie Ward (Subaru Imp.WRC) 40.11

Through the fifth special stage, the second run through the fabulous Ring test, Melvyn Evans was fastest by quite a good margin from Jim Harrison with Pete Doughty 1s back.  Steve Fleck and John Price were equal 4th fastest, 14s slower than Evans.  Slowly but surely, Evans is building up a fairly formidable buffer which, if nothing untoward happens the drivers behind are going to find very hard to close.  Evans found the 2nd run through the Ring very enjoyable, no problems, very quick. Obviously the warm side of the stone has turned up this St Patrick's weekend, and the speeds are building up significantly.  Jim Harrison also had a good run through that 5th stage, Jim was a bit unhappy with the handling of his car through stage 4 but said it was definitely better in there.  Steve Fleck reported no problems.  Pete Doughty said "We're getting there", referring to the fact that the Subaru is a whole new ball game for him.

Other stories from the end of stage 5 included…Jon Mercer spinning his Metro and dropping a few seconds.  Jon's total now 40.39, with Peter Lloyd in another 6R4 40.38.  In the battle of the Mk2 Escorts, Phil Collins was again fastest from Derek Smith, Collins' total now 40.25, Smith 40.41.  Willie McCarthy caught Martin Daly in the stage, but lost no time, Willie's total now 40.56. Martin Daly 43.16, his Escort engine well down on power.  Kieran O'Neill in the Kit-Kat Kadett had a massive spin in that stage 5, dropped perhaps 20s and is on a total now of 41.20. Kieran's co driver Diarmuid Falvey joked "The spin was at Ring village, and it was like Russ Swift doing a demonstration autotest".  Cahal Arthurs has a total of 40.37 in his newly acquired Celica 205. Sean Keenan in the PitLane rented Celica reports no problems, and getting better with every stage.  Tim Wilson in the white Subaru Impreza WRC at No.56 has wrenched his shoulder and is struggling to set the times. News of a further retirement - Car No.109 the Mk2 Escort of Sammy O'Driscoll/Conor Hanlon has crashed out.
Finally for now, Skibbereen MC is holding a Charity Day Motorshow at Clonakilty Showgrounds on Sunday 24th August where there will be a vast array of special cars on show, all proceeds going to charity. More news later..BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON



 

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