RALLY NEWS NO.2                            End of Parkmore stage/Saturday 11.30

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 2 PARKMORE
1st (3) Kevin Lynch/Francis Regan (Impreza WRC) 5.16
2nd (2) Derek McGarrity/James McKee (Impreza WRC) 5.17
3rd (1) Robbie McGurk/David Moynihan (Lancer N) 5.24
     (6) Glenn Allen/Damien McCann (Escort WRC) 5.24
5th (5) Denis Biggerstaff/Damien McCann (Impreza WRC) 5.26
6th (14) Raymond Johnson/Richard Bell (Lancer N) 5.29
7th (11) Seamus Donnelly/Billy McCullins (Lancer N) 5.31
8th (8) Pat Norris/Martin Brady (Impreza WRC) 5.32
     (22) Sean Devine/Killian Duffy (Impreza N) 5.32     
10th (15) Raymond Mason/Peter Martin (Lancer N) 5.34

Please note the above times are from the first 25 cars only, with still some quick drivers to come.  Early shock news is that Kieran Shaw, points leader of the NI Championship starting this final round, is in transmission trouble with his Impreza WRC.  Kieran was in the top 6 fastest on the first stage, but in stage 2 the car started to act up and he lost over 30s to the fastest cars. KBB Doors man Kieran never seems to have any luck on this event and just at the moment things once again are not looking good, Kieran feeling that he will be very lucky if he gets through the next stage at all.  Kevin Lynch looked very solid when he came through this Parkmore test.  The KPL man was in a bit of a dilemma before the start about whether to try and win the rally or just go for a steady driver and collect points. At the moment it looks like he could well do both, but he still has to finish even if Kieran Shaw retires.  Derek McGarrity in 2nd place reported a gear rev limiter cut out problem with his 2 door Impreza WRC, the dash read out saying "set up failure". 

Robbie McGurk in the GpN Lancer reported a lack of rear brakes, locking up the fronts, but in typical Robbie fashion he was completely unfazed, last year's Toshiba winner saying. "Apart from that, no problem and we are here".  Glenn Allen said he didn't like that Parkmore stage, but then he has never liked it, cannot seem to set a time in it. Denis Biggerstaff had a bit of damage in his Subaru, and did report hat he had been off the road briefly. Kevin O'Kane's total time after that stage was 5.38, and there was also damage to the front right corner of his Subaru. 

Dublin visitor Pat Norris reflected the feelings of most of the drivers when he said. "Very slippy in there, the slightest slip and you are on the grass".  Maurice Gass said at stage finish. "No power in the car, dead as a doornail".  Maurice's time 5.41.  Adrian McElvaney is just off the leaderboard on 5.38, which wasn't too bad considering the young Monaghan man has never been here before and didn't get a recce done because he was too busy in his Scania garage.

In Group N, apart from Robbie McGurk who is in a league of his own, next up is Raymond Johnson, then Seamus Donnelly, then Sean Devine followed by Raymond Mason. Michael Curran, who is fighting for Donnelly for the gpN championship title, was a wee bit disappointed to be back on 5.41, with no real problems, apart from the slippy roads.

Further stories include - Cork man James Murphy losing time in stage 2 when his Escort WRC just cut out. George Robinson's time was 5.41, George getting used to his Escort WRC, his first run on gravel with it. Eugene Donnelly was way down the list on 5.53, the suspension of his brother Charlie's Celica a nightmare.  But having said that, Eugene and co driver John Conway were laughing their heads off at stage finish, such were the antics of the car. Craig Bennett had a decent run in his Focus WRC to record 5.38.  John McKeown was not hanging about either on 5.40, and that was despite being held up behind James Murphy for a few seconds.  Looking across the water at the Tempest Rally, Mark Higgins is leading from his brother David, with Austin MacHale 3rd, Matthew Wilson 4th (after 9 stages).  If Austin can hang in there he wins the Pirelli British Championship.

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