1^st (5) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Corolla WRC) 35.42

2^nd (1) Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Impreza WRC) 35.59

3^rd (4) Derek McGarrity/Dermot O'Gorman (Impreza WRC) 36.35

4^th (11) Kevin Lynch/Francis Regan (Impreza WRC) 36.41

5^th (2) Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Focus WRC) 37.15

6^th (14) Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Impreza WRC) 37.33

7^th (9) Paul Harris/John McCafferty (Impreza WRC) 37.36

8^th (39) Matthew Wilson/Scott Martin (Focus WRC) 37.41

9^th (21) Brendan Kelly/Derek Brannigan (Corolla WRC) 37.51

10^th (26) Maurice Gass/James McKee (Impreza WRC) 38.45

11^th (48) Seamus Heron/Fabian McShane (Lancer N) 39.00

12^th (19) Aaron MacHale/Ger McMonagle (Lancer N) 39.10

Andrew Nesbitt was fastest through the opening stage Carnhill of this 2^nd day on the Shell Donegal International. Andrew’s time was 3.12. Eugene Donnelly was 3.15. Kevin Lynch really going well with 3^rd quickest on 3.18. Brendan Kelly 3.23. Derek McGarrity 3.24. Matthew Wilson 3.26, 2s ahead of Paul Harris. Austin MacHale was also on 3.28, his Focus WRC suffering a lack of intercoms, which meant no pace notes for Austin.

The main story on that Carnhill test revolved around tyre choice. Nesbitt picked a Pirelli RE which obviously worked a treat. It seems almost impossible to read the weather conditions ahead, the rain is on and off like a disco flashing light. Eugene Donnelly seemed very nervous this morning, he was on a cut slick. Derek McGarrity admitted he picked the wrong tyres, but feels they could be right for stage 8, as the rain had started once again. Kevin Lynch was an intermediate and he felt they were spot on. Matthew Wilson reported no problems and again had a good run.

George Cullen was 10^th overnight, but he put his Subaru into a Carnhill ditch. Reportedly there is little damage but he can’t get the car out.

In Group n Aaron MacHale was joint fastest this morning with Cahal Rogers, Seamus Heron was 1s back, surprisingly Seamus Leonard was 4s off the fastest gpn time. Colm Murphy was lying 4^th in GrpN overnight. Cahal Rogers has now got ahead of him, Colm finished the stage with a slash in a front tyre and was very lucky it didn't deflate.

John Dalton is running up amongst the leading cars, 12^th on the road, and he leads the National Modified part of the event, his time a very respectable 3.38, his Darrian seemingly running like a Swiss watch so far. Damien Gallagher was 2^nd Modified overnight, Robbie Peoples 3^rd, Paul Gallagher 4^th…still waiting for their times…more later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net