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RALLY
NEWS NO.6
Killarney/Saturday 6.15
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 11 Lough Guittane
1st (2) Derek McGarrity/Dermot O'Gorman (Impreza WRC) 1.20.55
2nd (5) Donie O'Sullivan/Paul Nagle (Focus WRC) 1.22.03
3rd (3) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Corolla WRC) 1.22.36
4th (6) Eamonn Boland/Damien Morrissey (LancerWRC) 1.23.04
5th (4) Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Focus WRC) 1.23.17***
6th (15) JJ Fleming/Robbie Ward (Impreza WRC) 1.25.26
7th (14) Denis Cronin/Helen O'Sullivan (Celica) 1.25.54
8th (18) Johnny O'Sullivan/Pat Cashman (Escort WRC) 1.26.12
9th (10) Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Corolla WRC) 1.27.16***
10th (11) Pete Doughty/Allan Whittaker (Escort WRC) 1.27.24
11th (7) George Treacy/Jakes Kelly (206 WRC) 1.27.40
12th (46) Alan Ring/Greg Shinnors (Impreza N) 1.27.56
***We had Austin MacHale in 3rd place coming into parc ferme,
but a 1 minute penalty has been applied by the official
results for an alleged jump start on stage 3. Austin is
denying this and it is possible it may change.
*** We had Liam McCarthy in 6th place after stage 11 but a 2
minute penalty has been applied for an alleged early arrival
at a control, this is also subject to appeal.
No doubt about McGarrity's superiority at the front, the
Tarmac Champion has controlled the rally from the word go, and
although he hasn't set fastest time on every stage he has done
more than enough to consolidate his lead throughout the day.
Derek reported his only moment of drama over the last few
stages was when Colin McRae's helicopter suddenly appeared
over a Lough Allua crest and scared the daylights out of
Derek. He went on to say "To be honest we haven't
been going slow, on Lough Allua for example we pushed hard,
but on some stages I was not on maximum". Second
placed Donie O'Sullivan stiffened his Focus suspension up over
the afternoon stages and he is happy with his performance.
Eugene Donnelly really screwed the last ounce out of his
Corolla through stages 9, 10 and 11. Eugene admits to
throwing the brains out the window, fitting all new tyres and
doing everything he could to make up the time lost with the
broken drive shaft. He even caught Eamonn Boland on Lough
Allua, although the official results do not fully reflect
this. Eamonn Boland has asked the Dom Buckley engineers to
change his gearbox for tomorrow, feels the car is a bit low
geared, but otherwise said "It never missed a
beat".
Group N leader Alan Ring was looking remarkably composed after
a great run today, and said "We had routine brake pad
changes but all went well". Unofficially we have Alan in
12th overall in his Impreza. Colm Murphy 13th and 2nd gpN.
Eoin Doyle 14th and 3rd gpN to make it an Impreza top 3 in gpN.
Aaron MacHale in his Lancer is just 10s behind Doyle. James
Foley just a second behind Doyle. Garry Jennings has made a
charge for the front after his earlier brake and wheel bearing
troubles, he is making progress on the leaders but is worried
now about alleged penalties.
In the National part of the rally Phil Collins is out in a
league of his own, his times good enough for a top 10 place.
Phil's only troubles during the day being catching cars on
stages. Glen Wilson was leading the F2 section of the
rally but he had a minor problem in stage 9 which has allowed
Guy Woodcock to move in front by about 20s. More news in
the morning. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON
www.rallynews.net
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