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RALLY NEWS NO.5
Clonakilty-Saturday
5.30
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 8 (Quarry Cross)
1st (3) Melvyn Evans/Alun Davies (Escort WRC) 1.00.11
2nd (18) Steve Fleck/Mark Aspinall (Subaru Impreza) 1.00.44
3rd (4) Pete Doughty/Tim Sturla (Subaru Impreza) 1.01.03
4th (6) Jim Harrison/Harvey Bell (Subaru Imp.WRC) 1.01.15
5th (1) John Price/Caroline Price (6R4) 1.01.42
6th (8) Tommy Graham/Sean Mullally (Subaru Imp.WRC)1.02.02
7th (12) Ollie O'Donovan/David Moynihan (Subaru Legacy)
1.02.15
8th (14) JJ Fleming/Robbie Ward (Subaru Imp.WRC) 1.02.53
9th (7) Tony Davies/Brian Hardie (6R4) 1.03.10
10th
(20) Phil Collins/Howard Davies (Escort) 1.03.13
Melvyn Evans has put up a superb performance today to lead
the rally by over 30s from Steve Fleck going into the
overnight halt. Evans was fastest through stages 5 and 6
and then on stage 7 his time was equalled by Fleck. In
stage 8 Fleck really turned the tables and was 9s faster
than the rally leader. Judging by that, we could yet
have a real race through Sunday's 8 special stages. Evans
commented at the end of the Saturday leg "We went
alright, I wanted to keep a bit ahead, quite happy".
Fleck said "We've settled down from earlier, the
Subaru is going really well now". John Price commented
here "Technology is overtaking us, we're going well,
the car's good, but the transmission and traction of the
world rally cars is too much for us".
Another major retirement is that of Bob Fowden whose Lancer
stopped in stage 6, we believe with mechanical troubles.
Mark Morgan was 2nd in gpN from Andrew Hadden at the
end of stage 6 so they could now be first and second in the
category - both in Lancers.
Drivers having problems towards the end of the day included
Jim Harrison, whose Subaru needed a clutch change, a fairly
major job. Ollie O'Donovan's Legacy suffered a tyre coming
off a rim a couple of stages ago and the suspension was
damage - some work required there. Gareth
Griffiths/Mike Panes have retired their Peugeot 306 but if
they could get a power steering pump they could do the
Sunday Run - can anybody help? Tel. Mike on 0044 7980
620121. Tim O'Riordan is having some small problems with
his Escort Cosworth which is on loan from Dominic McNeill.
Peter Lloyd was forced to do the last couple of
stages with a broken seat, couldn't reach the pedals. JJ
Fleming has had to have the pedals adjusted in his Impreza
WRC, much better now. Sean Keenan - blown turbo -
still going.
Max McKillen is going really well in his Denis & Mary
Ryan backed Citroen, leading the class by miles, Max
commenting "The car's never gone better, the handling
is great". After 4 stages 023 Tiles man James
O'Sullivan, who now sponsors the Southern 4 series was
leading his class. Quote from Kieran O'Neill in the
Kit-Kat backed Kadett "I'm just taking a
break!"…..Kieran's total is 1.05.01: Derek Smith
1.05.43: Phil Collins streaking ahead in the Escort race on
1.03.13. Willie McCarthy 1.04.10. (Bishopscourt - McGarrity
ahead from Gass, Whitford 3rd. Eugene Donnelly rolled SS1).
BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON
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