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RALLY NEWS
NO.5
Clonakilty/Saturday/4.45
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 6
1st (3) Donie O'Sullivan/Paul Nagle (Focus WRC) 56.25.9
2nd (5) Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Corolla WRC) 57.37.2
3rd (9) Denis Cronin/Helen O'Sullivan (Celica) 57.54.0
4th (11) Phil Collins/Howard Davies (Escort) 58.42.8
5th (1) Melvyn Evans/Marc Jones (Impreza WRC) 58.43.4
6th (24) Kieran O'Callaghan/Denis O'Donovan (Lancer N) 58.45.1
7th (17) JJ Fleming/Robbie Ward (Impreza WRC) 59.15.6
8th (26) Willie Fannin/Michael Coleman (Impreza N) 59.22.4
9th (14) Johnny O'Sullivan/Pat Cashman (Escort WRC) 59.35.7
10th (7) Steve Fleck/Patrick Walsh (Impreza) 59.50.3
The Ring stage is one of the smoother tests on the rally which suited Melvyn
Evans and he scored a fastest time through it of 7.53.6, Donie O'Sullivan was
7.53.7. JJ Fleming was a surprise package on 7.54.8 and Liam McCarthy had a
7.55.9. Stage 6 Lislevane, was a different story, bumpier and plenty of
gravel and mud. Donie O'Sullivan was far and away fastest, 38s quicker than Liam
McCarthy who was slowed when his Corolla went into a ditch, 27s quicker than
Melvyn Evans, 17 faster than Denis Cronin. A huge advantage for the Bio-Clear
Focus driver. In the process Donie damaged a rear wheel, and told us
"I made a bit of a mistake on tyres, went out on the rubber we had been
using this morning and the roads had dried. But the car is going
beautifully". Melvyn Evans commented "The Ring stage was
OK, its smooth, but on the bumpy stuff we are just holding on, the struts need
re-valved". Denis Cronin reported his Celica jumping out of 3rd and
4th gear through stage 5. Phil Collins reported the roads very slippy.
Steve Fleck seems to have lost 4th gear on his Subaru but he is still going
nicely. Nigel Hicklin lost time when he stalled his Subaru at the start of stage
6. Johnny O'Sullivan had earlier charger problems with his Escort WRC, that has
been sorted and Johnny is going well, and said "I'm determined to finish
today, its Pat's birthday and I want to treat him right!" ..Johnny
referring of course to his co-driver Pat Cashman.
In Group N Kieran O'Callaghan re-exerted his authority through stages 5 and 6.
The Kildare based Garda 7s faster than Willie Fannin through stage 5 and just
under 7 faster through stage 6. James O'Sullivan's fairly miserable
day continued, his intercom broke onstage 5 and the clutch went on stage 6. Alan
Ring is nicely on the pace in his new Subaru, as is Eddie Garry, although Eddie
spun his new Impreza and scuffed the paintwork. Gabriel Martin's GpN Lancer has
lost some turbo boost and he has lost a few seconds.
Gwyndaf Evans dropped off the leaderboard following stage 6, his Escort has
developed a chronic misfire and his thumb is giving him a certain amount of gyp
as well. Paddy White clattered his Impreza WRC into the sea wall at Ring
village, the car just went into a big under-steering slide. Jer O'Donovan
hit the right hand rear corner of his green Escort Cosworth earlier, now he has
hit the left hand side. Trevor O'Callaghan retired his green Corolla with a
broken clutch cable after stage 3.
Looking outside this West Cork Rally to World Rally Championship in Mexico, Loeb
leads from Martin, Sainz 3rd Duval 4th. Gronholm dropping time. Alister McRae
retired. Solberg setting fastest times and fighting back from road penalties
following a flat batter on his Subaru. More news later. BRIAN AND LIZ
PATTERSON
www.rallynews.net
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