RALLY NEWS NO.2     Service - Ballinakill - Sunday - Noon

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 2 Marble Hill
1st (4) Kevin Lynch/Francis Regan (Impreza WRC) 11.32
2nd (2) Jim Harrison/Harvey Bell (Impreza WRC) 11.36
3rd (3) Patrick Elliott/David Moynihan (Impreza WRC) 11.47
4th (6) Cathal Arthurs/Jakes Kelly (Accent WRC) 11.49
5th (5) Daniel & Michael Doherty (Impreza WRC) 11.52
6th (1) Niall Maguire/Paul McLoughlin (Impreza WRC) 12.00
7th (11) George Cullen/Dominic Downey (Impreza WRC) 12.02
8th (12) Denis Cronin/Helen O'Sulllivan (Celica) 12.08
9th (9) Sean Gallagher/Peter Egan (Impreza WRC) 12.09
10th (10) John Spain/Keith Sheppard (Celica) 12.10

Following his fastest time on the opening test Kevin Lynch was 2s slower than Jim Harrison through stage 2 Marble Hill.  Lynch still leads, but by just 4s and remarked here at service "In" that tyre choice was very difficult.  He picked a slick tyre for dry conditions. The roads however are very slippery, although it is not actually raining at the moment.  Jim Harrison was kicking himself when he realised that he forgot to switch on his Impreza WRC centre differential thingymajig at the start of stage 1. He said this was just simply his own fault in the middle of all the fuss and bother of getting going.  He realised the error of his ways going into stage 2 and it went a lot better. 

Niall Maguire was slightly happier at the end of that 2nd stage but told us. "The car is very taily, its not the car's fault, its me not knowing exactly how to set up all the buttons and switches that control the centre differential and transmission on this new car."  Patrick Elliott was also in slight bother with transmission.  Cavan man Patrick endured a first stage spin, although set equal fastest time on stage 2 with Harrison, but feels for sure that there is some small problem in the car, the back brakes are locking and the paddle gear shift doesn't seem to be working properly.  Cathal Arthurs in 4th was finding the going really slippy, his intercom problems not helping.   Daniel Doherty in 5th said he misread the stages when he was doing his reconnaissance and feels he has the car set up too soft, both in the suspension department and also the differentials.  The Donegal man is hoping to sort that problem at service.  John Spain said his Celica is all over the place.  Denis Cronin in a similar Toyota said his car is fine, but his own driving is only flowing in spurts. Ivan Stewart has some unknown gremlin in his Escort Cosworth engine, it seems way down on power, his total now 12.54. Martin Howley dropped a minute when he crashed his GpA Lancer off the road in stage 2, sustaining some suspension damage.  No sign of Anthony O'Halloran here at service, possibly running late, was having brake problems.

In Group N Alan Ring continues to lead in his Impreza on 12.19, Willie Fannin 2nd on 12.26, James O'Sullivan on 12.28 having set a good time through stage 2.  Gabriel Martin on 12.34.
Understandably Linda Conroy was pretty stiff when she climbed out of the co driver's seat of Martin Ward's BMW M3 here at service. Linda walked from Ward's Service Station in Loughrea, leaving at 05.30 this morning, to the start of the rally in Portumna.  She is raising funds for the Croi charity, and is planning to walk the New York Marathon. Croi is associated with the West of Ireland Cardiology Foundation and this present fund raising effort is to provide further defibrillaters.  Martin & Linda's stage times to here, total 13.03 which puts them well up in class 14. John Danagher is on 13.04 in his Escort. Mike Quinn, also in an Escort, 13.00.  Some times just outside the leaderboard include - Kevin Barrett on 12.17 and Denis Biggerstaff 12.40. 

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