RALLY NEWS NO.3 Lurgan Park/Saturday/1pm

1^st (2) Mark Higgins/Michael Gibson (Accent WRC) 5.04.2

2^nd (6) Kevin Lynch/Francis Regan (Impreza WRC) 5.05.2

3^rd (1) Jonny Milner/Shelley Rogerson (Octavia WRC) 5.07.3

4^th (14) Kevin Barrett/Rory Kennedy (Impreza WRC) 5.11.7

5^th (10) Denis Biggerstaff/Robin McCandless (Metro 6R4) 5.12.0

6^th (20) James Gillen/Rodney Johnston (Impreza WRC) 5.12.1

7^th (15) Daniel Doherty/Kevin McGowan (Impreza WRC) 5.12.8

8^th (11) Glenn Allen/Kieran McCracken (Escort WRC) 5.15.7

9^th (8) Maurice Gass/Andrew Cullen (Impreza WRC) 5.16.5

10^th (22) Ollie O'Donovan/Ed Synan (Impreza WRC) 5.17.1

Kevin Lynch was fastest through stage 3, the first test with a gravel section. Obviously with doing so many forestry rallies (Kevin has just won the Dogleap and prior to that the Cork Forestry), the Dungiven man holds no fear for the loose stuff. Mark Higgins still leads, and he said. "It was tricky on the gravel, the car stalled under braking, I was on slick tyres which wasn’t easy". Jonny Milner reported. "The car felt horrible on the gravel. But then I was first on the road, I think there will be a line develop after a while". Kevin Barrett held on to 4^th although he is not renowned as a gravel driver, but he kept it all together. Kenny McKinstry had a real ball in the Mk2 Escort, but still was not fastest of the 2 wheel drive contingent. That honour going to Keith White. Keith had reported a brake problem earlier. His team discovered a leaking brake pipe at the back. That has been replaced and Keith is a lot happier. Kenny McKinstry said after his 3^rd run. "I’d forgotten how sideways you can go in a Mk2 Escort".

Niall Maguire, who has Enda Sherry co driving today and not Paul McLaughlin as expected, was slightly flabbergasted when he saw the times of the other cars over the gravel section. Maurice Gass felt that he was being cautious, the memory of severely shortening his Subaru last year flooding back when he guided the car through the trees and over the gravel. Cahal Arthurs has been making up for time lost on the first stage when his Hyundai differentials were not switched on, but he lost a few more seconds when he stalled at a hairpin right on to the tarmac section on that 3^rd stage. Cahal is currently 20^th overall. Denis Biggerstaff had a good run but felt he was slightly off line on the gravel. Adrian McElvaney attacked a lot of gate posts with the rear left corner of his Subaru, little damage and no time loss. Daniel Doherty was kicking himself after the stage, felt he was in far too low a gear over the gravel and admits he has no experience of the loose stuff.

Warren Philliskirk is thoroughly enjoying his first run here in Lurgan Park, his Metro 6R4 just outside the top 20, co driver Eurig Evans commenting. "You people certainly know how to put on an event!" Camillus Bradley felt he had made 2 or 3 wee mistakes in the stage, and said "Just fidgeting". Martin Elliott has had further throttle troubles with his 4 wheel drive Corsa and lost a fair bit of time. Raymond Johnson has got the power steering fixed on his Lancer, but Dickie Curran was fastest in the stage with a brilliant time. Dickie recording 2.11.5. Raymond Johnson was 2.11.9. Michael Curran 2.13.4. Garry Jennings 2.15.4.

Just outside the leaderboard – Keith White 11^th: Mark Doyle in the Peugeot 12^th and 2^nd in class 2 to White: Dickie Curran 13^th and leading Group N: Michael Curran 14^th and 2^nd GpN: Sean McArdle 15^th in the Celica: Camillus Bradley 16^th: Adrian McElvaney 17^th: Rodney White 18^th: Dessie Keenan in the Mk2 Escort 19^th: Cahal Arthurs 20^th: More news later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net