RALLY NEWS NO.4                  Service - Friday 4.30

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 4 ARDNADITIAN
1st (5) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Corolla WRC) 22.22
2nd (1) Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Impreza WRC) 22.38
3rd (4) Derek McGarrity/Dermot O'Gorman (Impreza WRC) 22.56
4th (11) Kevin Lynch/Francis Regan (Impreza WRC) 22.59
5th (2) Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Focus WRC) 23.22
6th (9) Paul Harris/John McCafferty (Impreza WRC) 23.32
7th (39) Matthew Wilson/Scott Martin (Focus WRC) 23.38
8th (14) Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Impreza WRC) 23.40
9th (21) Brendan Kelly/Derek Brannigan (Corolla WRC) 23.43
10th (26) Maurice Gass/James McKee (Impreza WRC) 24.09

Andrew Nesbitt set his first fastest time of the rally through stage 4, 1s up on Eugene Donnelly, these 2 well clear of anyone else. Derek McGarrity had his Subaru in and out of a ditch at one point in the stage, happily without any damage, but he was 9s slower than Eugene.  Interestingly, Derek's stage 2 time seems to be the subject of some confusion, on amended times he had moved from 2nd to 3rd anyway following stage 3.  It has to be remembered that Derek made a wrong tyre choice for the first 3 stages, so he's not really getting off on the right foot on this Shell Donegal International.  Andrew Nesbitt commented at stage finish that the car felt really good and he was getting into the groove.  Eugene Donnelly also reported no problems.  Eamonn Boland was running very late through the stage and we didn't get his time.  Eamonn had been stopped on the road section out of Letterkenny and was working at his Lancer.  We reckon he must have road penalties. 

Matthew Wilson was again beaming from ear to ear when he finished the stage.  He reported all well, but was 4s down on Paul Harris in front, so making no huge impression there, but for a 17 year old on his first visit to Donegal Rally, and his first real asphalt rally Matthew is doing a superb job. It is great as well to see father Malcolm and mother Elaine working away in the service area!  Just a bit different from the world championship scene!

In Group N Seamus Leonard was counting his lucky stars at the end of that 4th stage, reporting a 6th gear spin and managed to avoid most of the scenery!  It was felt that Seamus was leading gpN after stage 3,  but as the times for the later cars have come in Seamus Heron is listed as leading the category by 4s from Leonard, with Aaron MacHale 3rd, Cahal Rogers 4th, Colm Murphy 5th and Dessie Keenan 6th, following his turbo charger problem.  Leonard's stage 4 spin cost him a little time and has allowed MacHale in front by 5s. No times as yet for Seamus Heron.

The official results are being split into International and Modified.  Phil Collins is leading the Modifieds after stage 3 from John Dalton with James Cullen 3rd in the Porsche. Paul Gallagher 4th. Damian Gallagher 5th and Mark Barnett 6th.  Seamus Hegarty is also being shown in the hunt, but his stage 2 time is a bit suspect.  James Cullen was not happy with the handling of the Porsche and it is believed that he has since pulled out. 

Just outside the above International leaderboard, following stage 3 George Cullen was listed as 11th, Maurice Gass 12th.  Then it was Seamus Heron in the gpN Lancer. Sean Devine was shown as 20th, Martin Doherty in the ex Bertie Fisher Impreza 555 was 16th. Tony Davies in his ex Paddy White Impreza WRC was 21st. Guy Woodcock 22nd in his F2 RS2000. Guy has nobody to race against as young Glen Wilson didn't start the event. When he tested his re-built RS2000 F2 there was a problem with the steering rack and he wasn't prepared to risk it.   Shaun Gallagher is 26th in his Saxo, Shaun working night and day at the car since it arrived in Letterkenny earlier this week, to try to get the suspension to work on our Irish asphalt. When he arrived into service after stage 3 Shaun was immediately measuring the ride height with a tape!  On the subject of Shaun, our thanks to his mentor Tommy for very welcome tea and sandwiches!!
More news later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON   www.rallynews.net