The Mayo Stages 2004 - RallyNews LIVE

RALLY NEWS NO.4           Westport/Service/Sunday 3pm

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 4 Maum Pass
1st (5) Kevin Lynch/Francis Regan (Impreza WRC) 31.09
2nd (2) Niall Maguire/Paul McLoughlin (Impreza WRC) 31.12
3rd (6) Seamus Leonard/Gerry McVeigh (Impreza) 31.28
4th (10) Tommy Graham/Francis Kenny (Impreza WRC) 32.28
5th (22) John Cairns/James Cairns 9Impreza N) 32.39
6th (32) Dominic McLoughlin/Cyril Donellan (Peugeot rwd) 32.42
7th (20) Pat Donegan/Damien Garvey (Escort) 32.50
8th (15) Kieran Shaw/Crawford Henderson (Impreza WRC) 33.01
9th (8) David Armstrong/Herbie Blackburn (Escort WRC) 33.14
10th (31) Trevor Lancashire/Noel Hall (Escort) 33.17

Kevin Lynch turned in a stunning time over stage 4, Maum Pass, 11s quicker than Niall Maguire to move into the lead of this Mayo Stages Rally by 3s. Seamus Leonard is pedalling his basically gpN Impreza has hard as it will go, but there is no way Seamus can make any impression on the cars in front, and he is in a little time envelope of his own. Tommy Graham is a full minute behind. Tommy is flying, but two overshoots in that stage 4 saw his red Impreza WRC take a trip into a ditch. Kevin Lynch commented "We're getting the hang of this now". Maguire reported "All OK, intercoms worked that time". Seamus Leonard said "The brakes are there and then away again". David Armstrong has speeded up a bit, softened the suspension all round and said "It's a totally different yoke".

In Group N John Cairns continues to hold sway at the front. There was no sign of Aaron MacHale at the end of stage 4 - we don't know what has happened there. Adrian Quinn turned in a good group N through that 4th stage, as did Martin Doherty, and these two now tie for runner up in group N category. Danny McBride is 15s behind these 2 in his Impreza, but still hampered by a lack of 1st and 2nd gear, although he's going hard on the fast stuff. Derrick Jobb has confirmed that he did lose his Lancer sump guard over a stage 3 jump, he's having to run without it which is slowing him down, and is thinking of organising a treasure hunt to try to find the walkabout guard.

In the Modified section Dominic McLoughlin still leads despite that 30s penalty for hitting the water divider chicane. Pat Donegan is 2nd modified, and although he's flying Pat was still 10s slower through stage 4 than Dominic. Mac McKenna has made a few changes to his car and has speeded up, but he is still a long way off the pace. We have no times for Peter Rogers after that stage 4. Trevor Lancashire reported no real problems. Maurice Moffett was flying through that stage to hold a total of 33.22 in his new Starlet.

Finally for now just one of the many officials helping out on today's rally include Eoin Longworth who is clerk of the course of the Midland Stages Rally a couple of weeks ahead, based in Roscommon, and Eoin is still keen to get some entries. Mobile 086 8179297.
More news later. BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON     www.rallynews.net

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