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RALLY NEWS NO.3
Glenshane Service/Saturday 1.15
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 5 GOLES
1ST (2) Kevin Lynch/Francis Regan (Impreza WRC) 19.40
2nd (5) Glen Allen/Damien Connolly (Escort WRC) 19.50
3rd (7) James Gillen/John McCafferty (Subaru) 19.56
4th (16) Jonny McKenna/Frank Conville (Lancer N) 19.59
5th (8) Kevin O'Kane/Martin Hanna (Impreza WRC) 20.09
6th (11) Raymond Mason/Peter Martin (Lancer N) 20.11
7th (20) Seamus Donnelly/Billy McCullins (Lancer N) 20.13
8th (102) Brian Muldoon/David Burns (Lancer N) 20.14
9th (6) Denis Biggerstaff/Damien McCann (Metro 6R4) 20.22
10th (22) Michael Curran/Fabian McShane (Lancer N) 20.27
On our last RallyNews we reported Derek McGarrity to be stuck in a
Banagher ditch. He eventually got his Subaru out but with a
time loss approaching 3 minutes when the stage maximum was taken
into account, although he was actually stuck for much longer. It
was on a reasonably fast 3 left Derek felt the car sliding from
under him, whisked on the handbrake and the Subaru slid in
sideways. There was no real damage, and he was able to
continue through the next 2 stages, but although he was on the
pace he certainly wasn't quickest, and has since discovered there
was no hydraulic pressure to the rear differential, and it was
burning the left rear tyre as well. If he doesn't get
the problem sorted he will probably not continue in the event.
This left a bit of fresh air between Kevin Lynch and 2nd placed
Glen Allen, with Lynch reporting "We pushed hard on the first
few stages. The car's OK, but the back isn't". Second
placed Glen Allen commented "There's a bit left yet for the
2nd loop of stages". James Gillen in 3rd reported no
real problems. Jonny McKenna is a pretty stunning 4th
overall in his gpN Lancer, Jonny actually setting fastest time of
the whole rally in the tricky, jumpy Moydamlaght stage, one of his
favourites. John McGlaughlin was the early group N leader,
but his Lancer got stuck in a Moydamlaght ditch. Also gone on that
stage was Terry McGonagle and Stephen Moore in their respective
group N machines. Brian Muldoon has 102 on his gpN Lancer,
was brought in from the reserves and is driving a superb rally on
his first run on gravel with the car.
Further stories include - Robin Philips arriving in here in agony
after wrenching his back when he lifted his leg over the Corolla's
side crash bar. Other happenings for Robin included a puncture in
the 2nd stage and a spin in the 3rd. Brendan Connor retired
his gpA Impreza on stage 2 with a broken gearbox. Kieran Shaw is
still on a learning exercise with his Subaru, trying to get the
differential set on his first gravel run. Denis Biggerstaff
is still having some dramas with his Metro 6R4 centre
differential, although he said "We're getting a bit more
comfortable with it, but it can be a bit nasty on the straights,
I've missed a couple of heartbeats". Gary White drove
his Escort Cosworth up to the start of stage 4, but then reversed
back and out of the rally, reason as yet unknown. Sean
Haveron hasn't done a rally for over 4 years, is still using the
tyres from that last Toshiba event, and is sitting just outside
the top 10 on 20.33. Sean Devine is also on 20.33. Kieran Shaw is
on 20.31. Robin Philips 20.46. Brian McCloskey 20.54.
In the 2 wheel drive race Greg McCormack, complete with bashed
front on his Escort after a Moydamlaght jump, is on 20.40.
Camillus Bradley 20.57. Andy Magee 21.07.
LATE NEWS; McGarrity apparently not continuing. More news
later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net
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