RALLY NEWS NO.2 Glenshane service/Saturday 11.45
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 1 GLENSHANE
1st (2) Kevin Lynch/Francis Regan (Impreza WRC) 4.24
2nd (1) Derek McGarrity/James McKee (Impreza WRC) 4.28
3rd (5) Glen Allen/John Gallagher (Escort WRC) 4.29
4th (8) Kevin O'Kane/Martin Hanna (Impreza WRC) 4.30
(18) John McGlaughlin/David McElroy (Lancer N) 4.30
6th (11) Raymond Mason/Peter Martin (Lancer N) 4.32
7th (3) Robin Philips/Mark Crowe (Corolla WRC) 4.33
(16) Jonny McKenna/Frank Conville (Lancer N) 4.33
(102) Brian Muldoon/David Burns (Lancer N) 4.33
10th (6) Denis Biggerstaff/Damien McCann (Metro 6R4) 4.34
(4) Kieran Shaw/Crawford Henderson (Impreza WRC) 4.34
(7) James Gillen/John McCafferty (Subaru) 4.34
(20) Seamus Donnelly/Billy McCullins (Lancer N) 4.34

BREAKING NEWS…Derek McGarrity reportedly in a Banagher ditch, revving his Impreza hard to get out but has been there perhaps 4 mins…more news when available (from Eugene Donnelly who is at the scene).

… Warm dry conditions greeted the top drivers when they tackled the first stage of this Sperrins Rally, with happily none of the leading drivers reporting any real problems. As can be seen above Kevin Lynch was fastest, but it wasn't easy for the Dungiven man who reported at stage finish. "Every time I go over a bump a shock wave goes my me back after splitting the bone last week. It must make me go harder!" Tarmac Champion Derek McGarrity commented "I'd forgotten how much the car moves about on these gravel stages, it was amusing, went alright". Third placed Glen Allen seemed to have a brilliant run, but he said "Not a good run, Glen must get better now". Fourth equal Kevin O'Kane just said "Alright". While John McGlaughlin, also 4th equal, but more importantly fastest of the hotly contested group N category, reported a good run.

Further stories from the leaderboard included Robin Philipps telling us he is just settling in after being out of a rally car for a while. Kieran Shaw, with new forest suspension fitted to his Impreza WRC felt that he was all over the place, a bit messy. Denis Biggerstaff said before the rally that he was a bit concerned about a new centre differential that he had fitted to the Metro, and sure enough he commented at the end of that Glenshane stage, "The car has a mind of its own". Normal front runner Gary White felt that he was being a bit too cautious, that his Escort suspension was too hard and it was a long time since he had driven a gravel stage. Gary's time was 4.44, Brian McCloskey running behind him in his Impreza was 4.43.

Former NI Champion Sean Haveron recorded a 4.40, Sean obviously a bit rusty as it has been years since he has done a rally. He is driving his old Sierra Cosworth, but there has been a lot of work done to re-vamp the car.

Some more Group N times - Sean Devin 4.38 as he gets into the way of his Impreza again. Stephen Moore was unfortunately down on 4.45, Stephen would normally be amongst the top times but his Impreza was suffering a broken drive shaft. Also in trouble was Scottish visitor Jimmy Christie, whose GpN Impreza was in gearbox trouble. Young Michael Curran had 4.36, his father Dickie was slow to get going and did 4.53. Terry McMonagle recorded 4.46 in the 2 wheel drive race. Greg McCormack did 4.39. Andy Magee, bedding in a new engine, 4.45, both in Mk2 Escorts.

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