UNOFFICIAL CLASSIC LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 4
1st (91) Dessie Keenan/Enda Sherry (Escort) 37.00
2nd (90) Pat Donegan/Damian Garvey (Escort) 38.27
3rd (95) Dave Slattery/Ger Somers (Escort) 38.50
4th (88) James Coleman/Owen O'Neill (Escort) 38.58
5th (93) Mike Moloney/Marie Casey (Escort) 39.06**
6th (94) Gareth Lloyd/Ryland James (Escort) 39.23
7th (89) Kieran O'Neill/David Moynihan (Kadett) 39.37
8th (98) Wesley Patterson/Bob Kelly (Escort) 39.42
9th (162) Liam Wall/Denis O'Mahony (Escort) 39.48
10th (97) Mike Quinn/Sean Enright (Escort) 39.50

**Although shown 5th after stage 4 Moloney hasn't managed to get his Escort from the end of the stage here to service at Castletownbere. A clutch problem having stopped the car in its tracks. He could still make it, but he is very late now.

Out at the front of the Classic section of the Rally, Dessie Keenan seems to be in a world of his own, the former Billy Coleman Award winner, and this year's Group N Tarmac Champion in a Lancer, commented. "I'm really enjoying it, it is going really well, a lot more enjoyable than a Group N Lancer. I floated the Escort through every corner in Kilmakilloge, it was brilliant, but then I had to fight her hard through Ardgroom, the Escort could really do with power steering!"  Pat Donegan in 2nd wasn't so happy at the end of Molls Gap, but commented here. "The car is handling a lot better now I was able to get it set up a bit. We are going at a comfortable pace, there is a bit left".  Dave Slattery had a query on his Molls Gap time, but otherwise a good run to hold 3rd. James Coleman in 4th is really worried about the handling of his car, not getting much grip.  Mike Moloney, as mentioned above is having some clutch problems, no developments on that yet. 
Gareth Lloyd in 6th in the Welsh Area Rally Spares Escort is still struggling to find grip. He changed off the slick tyres he had on earlier, but his times are still a little hesitant.  Kieran O'Neill was higher up the leaderboard than 7th when he finished stage 3, but his Kadett slowed dramatically through stage 4 when the clutch started to slip, and indeed there is a fair possibility Kieran might not be able to continue. 
Further stories include….Martin Freestone having retired when he damaged the front of his Escort at the tight square left through the farm, where the bales are, in Ardgroom. Wesley Patterson put his Escort off the road briefly on a square left junction, no damage.  Kevin O'Donoghue lost time through stages 3 and 4 when his Escort gear lever came off in his hand.  Ceiros James had to slow down when his co driver became very sick. Lloyd Hutchinson in the Mini has been slowed with massive bump steer problems.  John Tully's Escort melted its throttle cable on the way up to Molls Gap, lost some time. Mick Smith is another to have been slowed when his co driver Ian Fisher took ill. Mick's Imp is showing a flashing oil light, but he thinks it is just an electrical problem. Interestingly, Mick who now lives in England, grew up in what is now Foleys Restaurant in Killarney…more useless information!!!
More later…BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net