RALLY NEWS NO.5 Lurgan Park/Saturday/3pm

1^st (6) Kevin Lynch/Francis Regan (Impreza WRC) 9.07.7

2^nd (2) Mark Higgins/Michael Gibson (Accent WRC) 9.12.3

3^rd (1) Jonny Milner/Shelley Rogerson (Octavia WRC) 9.15.2

4^th (10) Denis Biggerstaff/Robin McCandless (Metro 6R4) 9.21.8

5^th (14) Kevin Barrett/Rory Kennedy (Impreza WRC) 9.24.2

6^th (20) James Gillen/Rodney Johnston (Impreza WRC) 9.25.2

7^th (15) Daniel Doherty/Kevin McGowan (Impreza WRC) 9.28.7

8^th (8) Maurice Gass/Andrew Cullen (Impreza WRC) 9.35.2

9^th (22) Ollie O'Donovan/Ed Synan (Impreza WRC) 9.35.5

10^th (11) Glenn Allen/Kieran McCracken (Escort WRC) 9.37.8

Kevin Lynch extended his lead through the fifth stage with another fastest time. In Lurgan Park terms quite a bit faster in fact. Lynch got everything just right in the stage, finished with sweat pouring off his head underneath his crash helmet, always a sign that the Dungiven man is trying to the limit. Lynch’s actual time was 2.00.1, Jonny Milner did 2.03.9 and Mark Higgins 2.04.0. Although Denis Biggerstaff knocked down a series of big hoarding posts during his run he still set a time just over a second quicker than Kevin Barrett to reinforce his 4^th position. Mark Higgins commented "We didn’t go well at all, I didn’t get off the line very well then stalled at a 90 right coming off the tarmac." Jonny Milner reported "We ran away wide on one corner, didn’t have to reverse or anything but it cost some time". Denis Biggerstaff said "We went off down the back of the stage, that’s where we took a lot of boards out, but lost little time". Kevin Barrett reported no problems with his Triton Showers Subaru, and indeed had a good run, but really Kevin has little experience over gravel tracks.

Others not so happy included – Cahal Arthurs who had an overshoot and then took time to get reverse, losing quite a few seconds and is still down in 19^th place. Glenn Allen slid his Escort WRC off the track and stalled, losing perhaps 10s and slipping a couple of places on the leaderboard. Adrian McElvaney missed a few gears, didn’t have a fantastic time, and didn’t do his overall position much good. Daniel Doherty had a good run to hold on to 7^th. Warren Philliskirk turned in a really good time, good enough for a top 10 time, although he is still down in 18^th, the Englishman with his Welsh co driver Eurig Evans, both sporting broad grins, and saying "mega sideways". Neale Dougan reported "Don’t know how quick that was, but it was maximum fun". In fact Neale was on a really good time of 2.05.1, good enough for a top 6 placing but of course he has that earlier penalty. James Gillen had an overshoot at a junction, lost a few seconds, but hangs on to 6th ^overall.

In Group N young Michael Curran turned in a fabulous time of 2.07.6, Raymond Johnson was 2.08.8. Garry Jennings 2.11.3 and Dickie Curran 2.11.8. Michael Curran moves into the lead of the category now ahead of his father Dickie with Raymond Johnson 3^rd.

Keith White continues to lead class 2 and is 11^th overall. Mark Doyle 2^nd class 2 and 13^th o/a. Try as he might Camillus Bradley remains in 3^rd in his Mk2 Escort. Kenny McKinstry is 4^th in class and 20^th overall, Kenny really started to enjoy the Martin Downey replica Mikkola Escort.

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