RALLY NEWS NO.7 Lurgan Park/Saturday/4.30

1^st (6) Kevin Lynch/Francis Regan (Impreza WRC) 12.56.3

2^nd (2) Mark Higgins/Michael Gibson (Accent WRC) 13.02.4

3^rd (1) Jonny Milner/Shelley Rogerson (Octavia WRC) 13.09.0

4^th (20) James Gillen/Rodney Johnston (Impreza WRC) 13.20.5

5^TH (14) Kevin Barrett/Rory Kennedy (Impreza WRC) 13.22.4

6^TH (15) Daniel Doherty/Kevin McGowan (Impreza WRC) 13.24.6

7^TH (8) Maurice Gass/Andrew Cullen (Impreza WRC) 13.33.1

8^TH (11) Glenn Allen/Kieran McCracken (Escort WRC) 13.35.6

9^TH (22) Ollie O'Donovan/Ed Synan (Impreza WRC) 13.37.6

10^TH (23) Keith White/David Lynas (Escort rwd) 13.41.6

A big disappointment for the local fans has been Denis Biggerstaff’s Metro 6R4 stopping for 5 minutes on this 7^th stage. The car broke its rotor arm. Denis was able to get out and replace it but in the tight environment of Lurgan Park Rally the 5 minutes lost puts him completely out of the picture. Denis had been up to 4th a^nd was charging hard to keep Kevin Barrett in the Triton Showers Subaru at bay.

Kevin Lynch was fastest through that stage 7 to extend his lead to 6s with just 1 stage remaining. Kevin said little at stage finish, but rolled his eyes heavenwards as if to say "please get me through this last stage OK". Mark Higgins tried really hard through the stage, had a good run but could make no impression. Interestingly, Mark has discovered that the anti lag system button has been turned the wrong way all day. However in practical terms, unless Lynch makes a mistake, there’s no way he can reduce the deficit over the final stage.

Jonny Milner reported running slightly wide on one corner on the loose section but otherwise had a good run. Kenny McKinstry is still running 3^rd on the road, but is down in 22^nd place, Kenny having a ball nonetheless.

The feeling with most of the drivers now is to get their cars to the end of what has been a highly competitive event. A few incidents on that 7^th stage include Warren Philliskirk having a half spin. His Metro 6R4 is in 17^th place. Neale Dougan found his Escort WRC sliding about a fair bit, the Scottish visitor saying that he has used the same tyres all day and they are sort of finished. Ollie O’Donovan felt he had another nice tidy run, but in his own words "the yoke is dead" (meaning his Subaru).

In Group N Michael Curran wasn’t fastest on that last stage, his father Dickie was, but Michael looks like he has enough in hand now that if he makes no mistakes on the final stage he should win the category…and Dickie will have to arrange a rally in a Skoda WRC for him! Raymond Johnson is still 3^rd gpN. John McGlaughlin is further back and provisionally lying 4^th.