1^st (1) Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Impreza WRC) 1.55.18

2^nd (5) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Corolla WRC) 1.56.27

3^rd (4) Derek McGarrity/Dermot O'Gorman (Impreza WRC) 1.57.54

4^th (11) Kevin Lynch/Francis Regan (Impreza WRC) 1.59.08

5^th (2) Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Focus WRC) 1.59.43

6^th (14) Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Impreza WRC) 2.00.15

7^th (26) Maurice Gass/James McKee (Impreza WRC) 2.05.52

8^th (17) Seamus Leonard/Gerry McVeigh (Impreza N) 2.06.42

9^th (59) Cahal Rogers/Paul McLaughlin (Lancer N) 2.06.55

10^th (19) Aaron MacHale/Ger McMonagle (Lancer N) 2.07.23

STOP PRESS: Unofficial confirmation of the Andrew Nebsitt incident would appear that the stewards  will apply stage maximum, which is about 24 minutes and will drop the Armagh man down to the mid forties.

Through stages 18 and 19, High Glen and Port Lake, Andrew Nesbitt was again fastest, with 2^nd placed Eugene Donnelly and 3^rd placed Derek McGarrity content to hold station, and think about points in the Pirelli Tarmac Championship. There is still no definitive decision of stage 16 where the top 3 cars were involved in an accident.

Kevin Lynch is doing a sterling job on his first visit to Donegal Rally to hold 4^th. Austin MacHale is settled in 5^th, Tim McNulty still 6^th despite his tyres going off the boil through the Port Lake stage.

In Group N Aaron MacHale also had over heating tyre problems and dropped back, allowing Seamus Leonard in the Subaru to surge ahead. Cahal Rogers was matching Leonard every inch of the way but had to give best through the Port Lake stage, where Leonard was pretty fantastic.

Sean Devine is just outside the leaderboard, behind Dessie Keenan. Sean was slowed through Port Lake when his intercom gave problems, but didn’t lose too much time. Shaun Gallagher, who has his chief engineer, Charlie McGinty co driving this weekend, is in further clutch troubles with his Saxo and doubts if he will get the car through the final stage, but he is going to give it a go. Guy Woodcock dropped 2m on Atlantic Dr. with a puncture on his RS2000 Maxi, but should hold on to his class lead. John Dalton continues to lead the National rally, but Damien Gallagher is now up into 2^nd, Paul Gallagher dropped a little time when his Corolla ran out of brakes.

More news later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net