RALLY NEWS NO.5 Service - Sunday 3.30

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 6 Billa Bridge

1st (1) Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Impreza WRC) 51.10
2nd (3) Patrick Elliott/David Moynihan (Impreza WRC) 51.17
3rd (152) Sean Devine/Brendan Connor (Impreza WRC) 53.15
4th (8) Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Focus WRC) 54.05
5th (17) Gabriel Martin/Mark Kane (Lancer N) 54.38
6th (18) Noel McCarrick/Eugene O'Donnell (Impreza N) 54.45
7th (16) Kevin Barrett/Barry Goodman (Impreza WRC) 54.48
8th (23) Joe & Dermot McHugh (Escort Cos) 54.50
9th (24) David McNulty/Keefe Kilcoyne (Escort Cos) 54.56
10th (31) James O'Sullivan/Adrian Deasy (Lancer N) 54.57

Despite the high level of retirements in these pretty difficult wet conditions there is still a major battle being waged for the lead of this Sligo Stages Rally. Patrick Elliott is within striking distance of Niall Maguire, these 2 out on their own, Sean Devine fairly far back in 3rd place. Maguire commented here at service in following stage 6. "Tyre choice is difficult, real messy, we've had a couple of spins and slides". Patrick Elliott had a lucky escape when he damaged 2 rims earlier and he said. "I've really settled, and I'm enjoying it, although in stage 5, no one could rally in there, we tip toed through".

Earlier Kevin Lynch took the lead briefly but dropped back with gear change troubles and then slid off the road in that 5th stage. Cahal Arthurs retired his Accent at the end of the stage after mechanical troubles. David Armstrong's Subaru is parked a couple of miles from the end of stage 6 and George Tracey's Peugeot 206 WRC seems to have departed the fray, reason as yet unknown. George was complaining earlier of very wayward handling plus locking rear brakes. Mac McKenna has crashed his rear wheel drive Peugeot into a wall in stage 6. Pat Donegan was the leading 2 wheel drive car and he is parked very close by. It is possible that Pat caught a bank, pulled out some rocks and Mac McKenna has gone off the road avoiding them. Although this is speculation from a following driver. Reports are coming in that Gordon Rogers has rolled his Mk2 Escort.

Kevin Barrett is lying 7th but may be forced to retire, as his Subaru gearbox is giving a lot of problems and there is smoke coming into the car. Glen Allen is going well and said. "Its coming on, a bit more sensible, we've got a bit more confidence, this is a super car". George Robinson has also speeded up, although he was held up by David Armstrong when David had a spin. Sean Devine has had a good run over the last few stages and is looking fairly solid in 3rd place.

In Group N Willie Fannin had a puncture allowing Gabriel Martin into the lead of the category from Noel McCarrick. Gabriel relaxed a little in stage 6 and both McCarrick and Fannin took some time from him, so Gabriel is going to have to speed up again over the last 2 stages. Joe McHugh and David McNulty are having a major battle in their respective Escort Cosworths.
More later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net