RALLY NEWS NO.2 Sweet Lamb Service/Saturday 10.30
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 2 Hafren North

1st (1) Mark Perrott/Paul Morris (Escort WRC) 21.23.5
2nd (3) Steve Perez/Claire Mole (Focus WRC) 21.44.1
3rd (4) Marcus Dodd/Stephen McAuley (Accent WRC) 21.59.7
4th (2) Roger Duckworth/Mark Broomfield (Impreza WRC) 22.06.3
5th (12) Rory Galligan/Jonty Bolsover (Lancer N) 22.19.5
6th (9) Brendan Crealey/Steve Harris (Lancer N) 22.20.3
7th (14) Bob Ceen/Alistair Douglas (Impreza) 22.30.0
8th (10) Geoff Jones/Rydian Welson (Impreza A) 22.40.0
9th (11) Paul Wedgbury/Neil Dashfield (Lancer N) 22.46.7
10th (20) Philip Morrow/Simon Morrow (Lancer N) 22.48.6

Last year's Bulldog winner, and outgoing Champion, Mark Perrot, made the best of the tough conditions this morning to set fastest time on the first 2 stages. Many of the drivers reported that, yes, it was muddy and there was standing water, but there was still a surprising amount of grip. It looked worse than it was, but it was difficult to really go for it. An early retirement was one of the pre-event favourites, Andrew Burton, whose Peugeot Cosworth was parked up at a hairpin left hairpin right sequence with what looked like a mechanical malady. Craig Middleton dropped around 7 minutes on the 2nd stage, said there is something wrong with the electronics that control the turbo boost etc. He thinks it is very unlikely that he will continue in the rally.

Mark Perrot commented here at Sweet Lamb service. "Yes it was slippy in places. I am being careful, trying to drive around most of the standing water, hoping to avoid any msfires." Roger Duckworth who is driving the Phil Morgan Impreza WRC S7 said. "It's a steep learning curve in the new car in these conditions". Vodka Kick man Steve Perez, the new ANCRO Champion seemed very intent on the job in hand of driving his Focus WRC, and simply commented. "Everything is going fine". Steve Petch reported no problems, although he was slightly off the pace of the leaders. Marcus Dodd was another to echo the thought that although it was pretty wet and muddy, there was still a fair bit of grip.

Rory Galligan has been the fastest Group N car so far, although Rory told us. "We had a good run on the first stage, but I tried a slightly different tyre set up for the 2nd and it seemed to upset the balance of the car. Also I think we have a broken brake pipe." Normal front runner Brendan Crealey reckoned he wasn't totally in the groove as yet. Paul Wedgbury's Lancer had a puncture 2 miles in to the 2nd stage, and he was definitely backing off for the "rough" stuff.

Further stories include Phil Morgan having to slow dramatically through stage 2, his Impreza suffering turbo problems. This held up Jon Ingram slightly, Ingram's Impreza also having a small misfire. Gavin Cox was pretty well off form, his management service vehicle having been involved in a road accident, which is all a bit unfortunate. Philip Morrow set a cracking Group N pace despite his Lancer's rear differential not behaving itself, and also the turbo boost dropping on stage 2. Aaron MacHale made a cautious start, the young Dubliner not used to the slippy conditions through these Welsh forests.

Some further stage times - still unofficial - Brian Bell 24.33.0. Nik Elsmore 23.05.8. Gavin Cox 23.30.9. David Wright had a good runt o 22.51.8. Nigel Griffiths 23.18.5. Simon Hughes, still getting used to the gpN Impreza. 23.01.4. Adrian McElvaney, despite some differential problems with his Group A Impreza, 23.28.8. Rodney Wilton 23.33.1. Jimmy Giran 23.30.0. More news from Dolgellau. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net