RALLY NEWS NO.3 Dolgellau - Saturday 1.30

UNOFFICIAL LEADEROARD AFTER STAGE 6 Dyfi Main

1st (1) Mark Perrott/Paul Morris (Escort WRC) 48.59.1
2nd (3) Steve Perez/Claire Mole (Focus WRC) 49.20.9
3rd (2) Roger Duckworth/Mark Broomfield (Impreza WRC) 49.56.8
4th (12) Rory Galligan/Jonty Bolsover (Lancer N) 50.36.0
5th (14) Bob Ceen/Alistair Douglas (Impreza) 50.45.9
6th (9) Brendan Crealey/Steve Harris (Lancer N) 50.48.5
7th (10) Geoff Jones/Rydian Welson (Impreza A) 51.01.2
8th (11) Paul Wedgbury/Neil Dashfield (Lancer N) 51.13.6
9th (7) Steve Petch/John Richardson (Accent WRC) 51.34.6
10th (20) Philip Morrow/Simon Morrow (Lancer N) 51.41.4

Mark Perrot was leading this Bulldog Rally by 29s after stage 5, Pantperthog, but dropped 7s to Perez through stage 6, Dyfi Main. Mark then rushed into service, just within his time, but in a bit of a panic. Perez reports no problems with the Vodka Kick Focus, but admitted that he feels he is not going just as well as he did on the Trackrod a couple of weeks ago. But then conditions are a whole lot different here in Wales today, so slippy and mucky. As one of the drivers commented. "There is a fine line today between staying on the road and going off!" Roger Duckworth in 3rd place is really starting to switch on to the Impreza S7. It always takes time to get used to a new car and Roger is doing a solid job so far.

Rory Galligan continues to lead Group N and if he keeps this pace up is in line for the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo Challenge top award. His closest pursuer in the challenge Paul Wedgbury sustained a puncture early on, and as he said himself. "Its hard to regain that time, but we haven't given up". Galligan commented. "We have got into a good rhythm since Sweet Lamb, the tyres are working really well, everything's good". Sandwiched in between the two in the Group N race is Brendan Crealey in the works Lancer. This is Brendan's last run in the car and as he says himself. "I haven't put a scratch on the car all year, don't want to take any risks today. The car is sold and goes to the new owner on Monday!"

Bob Ceen is holding a good 5th place in his Group B Subaru, Bob reporting no problems. Geoff Jones is improving by every stage as he gets more accustomed to his gpA Impreza. Geoff commented. "I'm really enjoying it, not throwing the car about so much, this has opened my eyes as to how good the group N cars are nowadays". Steve Petch in 9th says he is taking it "steady away". While Phillip Morrow has recovered from his earlier small differential problem to hold 10th and 4th in group N. In the Peugeot 206 Super cup Stuart Jones was leading by 21s from Mike Faulkner with Ieuan Rowlands 3rd a further 23s back. Rowlands changed a front strut before the Pantperthog stage and reports all well at the moment. Tom Boardman was 4th. Paul Jones 5th. Gareth MacHale dropped slightly out of the picture, his borrowed 206 suffering a bent front anti roll bar making the car almost impossible to drive, even in a straight line.
/> Further stories include - Phil Morgan slowed with a puncture on stage 4, It looked as if the rim had split rather than the tyre being punctured. Marcus Dodd was up to 3rd overall after stage 4, but stopped in stage 5, Pantperthog, his Accent WRC located just after a logging section, whether that had any bearing we don't know. Simon Hughes was slowed when his Impreza N developed a clanking and banging noise from the rear, possibly another drive shaft problem. Simon was up to 12th overall after stage 4. Aaron MacHale has knocked the rear bumper of his Lancer, still going OK. Adrian McElvaney was nearly off the road about 10 times in Pantperthog. Nigel Griffiths is now up to 11th. Nik Elsmore 12th. Group N Subaru and Lancer respectively. More news later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net