RALLY NEWS NO.4 Mallow/Service/Saturday 7pm

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 6 Mount Hilary

1st (1) Kevin Lynch/Francis Regan (Impreza WRC) 34.18.0
2nd (5) Robbie McGurk/David Moynihan (Impreza) 35.34.3
3rd (8) Dominic McNeill/Francis Kenny (Escort WRC) 36.11.0
4th (11) John Shanahan/Liam McLoughlin (Impreza N) 36.19.8
5th (4) Dermot Kelly/Greg Shinnors (Escort WRC) 36.40.8
6th (3) Pat Norris/Declan Tumilty (Impreza) 36.43.0
7th (2) Kevin O'Kane/Martin Hanna (Impreza WRC) 36.56.0
8th (17) Pete Willoughby/Paul Nagle (Impreza N) 37.30.2
9th (18) Brian Lawlor/Peter Kavanagh (Escort) 37.34.2
10th (10) Adrian McElvaney/Paul Goodman (Impreza) 37.41.2

Kevin Lynch, co driven by Francies Regan, in his Subaru Impreza WRC S9 has dominated today's proceedings, and was fastest again through the final stage of the afternoon, Mount Hilary. When Kevin arrived into service he commented. "We had a good run although we had a small spin as well at the last hairpin of the stage. The Stan Harper boys will give the car a good check over now for tomorrow, but you know its all still to play for yet." 2nd placed Robbie McGurk said. "I'm going as hard as I can, can't get near yer man (Lynch)". Robbie went on to say that the car is fine, but he's whacked, with a sore back and a sore head, but still having a ball! Dominic McNeill came up into 3rd place during the afternoon and he reported a really good run, notes spot on, everything fine.

Interestingly, Glenn Allen is way down the results sheet on a total of 41.50.9 after the stage 2 problems with his Escort WRC, but he was 2nd fastest to Lynch in stage 6, faster than Robbie McGurk or Dominic McNeill, which is an indication of what might have been. But then that's rallying.

John Shanahan in 4th overall and leading Group N had a great run today over his home stages. Dermot Kelly in 5th is going a whole lot better since his Escort WRC power steering was sorted, and also building up some rapport with co-driver Greg Shinnors on the notes. Dermot moves into home territory tomorrow, but reckons it will make no big difference. Pat Norris rounds off the top 6, Pat conscious of a rattle in the back of his Subaru, possibly a loose rose joint. Kevin O'Kane in 7th has had a smooth run and is really enjoying this Cork Forestry Rally. Pete Willoughby in 8th place is treating his Group N Lancer gearbox with tender loving care, co-driver Paul Nagle commenting. "He's a great driver, so smooth, right up there with Eugene Donnelly". Brian Lawlor in 9th has had a great run today to be the best of the 2 wheel drive category. Adrian McElvaney seems to have cracked how to hold his Impreza in gear and in fact was nearly 5s a mile faster on the 2nd time through Mt. Hilary.

There are some very tight tussles just immediately outside the top 10 - Stephen Moore is on 37.52.6, despite his Impreza having a broken gearbox and also the handbrake not working properly, which means he can't disconnect the centre diff on the hairpins. Kieran Shaw has pulled himself up to 37.52.7, despite no anti lag system on his Impreza WRC. Young local lad Brendan Murphy has turned in some scintillating times over the later stages to move into the GpN picture on 37.54.4. Patrick Elliott is on 37.57.1 after a smooth run. James Cribben in his GpN Lancer is on 38.04.6, although this may change over a disputed time. John McGlaughlin in the Lancer at No.25 is also right up there with the GpN brigade on 38.04.1. All in all a lot still to play for on this Cork Forestry Rally through the Sunday stages, that is of course if everyone survives the playing about on Saturday night in Mallow!!

More news in the morning. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net