RALLY NEWS NO.12 Downings – Service – Sunday 11am

1^st (1) Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Impreza WRC) 1.24.38

2^nd (5) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Corolla WRC) 1.25.13

3^rd (4) Derek McGarrity/Dermot O'Gorman (Impreza WRC) 1.26.41

4^th (11) Kevin Lynch/Francis Regan (Impreza WRC) 1.27.31

5^th (2) Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Focus WRC) 1.28.23

6^th (14) Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Impreza WRC) 1.28.42

7^th (9) Paul Harris/John McCafferty (Impreza WRC) 1.29.13

8^th (26) Maurice Gass/James McKee (Impreza WRC) 1.32.30

9^th (17) Seamus Leonard/Gerry McVeigh (Impreza N) 1.33.17

10^th (59) Cahal Rogers/Paul McLaughlin (Lancer N) 1.33.18

11^th (27) Dessie Keenan/Enda Sherry (Lancer N) 1.34.08

12^th (40) Sean Devine/Robert McDaid (Impreza WRC) 1.34.38

At the start of Day 3 of this Shell Donegal International Rally the weather, the sudden rain showers, is the main topic of conversation amongst the drivers, making tyre choice a nightmare. Andrew Nesbitt has an advantage of 35s on Eugene Donnelly, while Eugene is 1m28s ahead of Derek McGarrity. Eugene certainly hasn’t given up trying to win the rally, but following Andrew Nesbitt’s performance yesterday on Knockalla he has a titanic task in hand.

In Group N it is certainly all to play for with Seamus Leonard just 1s ahead of Cahal Rogers. This time last year Leonard turned in a stunning performance over these Sunday stages, High Glen, Port Lake and Atlantic Drive. It will be interesting to see how he goes this year. Certainly Cahal having come from a seed number of 59, and very much an occasional rally driver these days, won’t rest on his laurels. Third in GpN Dessie Keenan reckons he would wiser today to concentrate on Pirelli Tarmac Championship points, and not go mad trying to win the category. Colm Murphy is 4^th in gpN. Willie Fannin 5^th and Aaron MacHale 6^th, having lost 3 minutes yesterday when his Lancer slid into a ditch.

Class leaders starting this final day included: Paddy Walker in class 1 from Patrick McDaid, both driving Swifts. John Hegarty leads cl.2 from Frank Wray, both in Civics. Tony Kelly’s service chief, Christopher Boyce, leads cl.3 in his Honda Civic R from Wexford man Thomas O’Rourke in his Astra. In Class 5 Andrew Hegarty is having a great run in his Puma to lead the class by 5 minutes from John McElhinney in a Swift. Shaun Gallagher, despite all sorts of suspension woes, leads cl.6 in his Belgian Saxo. Shaun up to 17^th overall and highest placed 2 wheel drive car. 2^nd in that class is Aidan Caddye in his Honda Civic, with the late Eamonn Harvey’s brother

Noel 3^rd in his Peugeot. Guy Woodcock leads cl.7 in his Escort Maxi, and following a smooth run so far is up to 18^th overall. Fred Henry is 2^nd in that class in his Astra.

In the National part of the rally Welsh visitor John Dalton leads overall on a time of 1.33.48 which, for comparison, equates to 11^th overall in the International. Paul Gallagher is driving his socks off to hold 2^nd in the National and lead his class from Damien Gallagher with Robbie Peoples 4^th. Frank Cunningham leads the Historic part of the rally in his Mini Cooper S. Frank led initially but then lost time when the Mini electrics "broke down" over Knockalla. He changed everything electrical and is back to full speed. Adrian Kermode is 2^nd in his Porsche 911. Martin Ward 3^rd overall and leading the Post Historics. Prodrive World Rally Team boss, Paul Howarth, is over competing in the Historics and he is 8^th in his Porsche, co-driven by Gordon Noble.

Finally for now – it’s big birthday greetings this weekend…to Shaun Gallagher’s PR lady, the lovely Claire Walsh celebrating her 21^st yesterday.

More news after stage 15 High Glen. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net