RALLY NEWS NO.5 Baldoon/Service/Saturday 11am

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 5 DISDOW

1st (1) Jonny Milner/Nicky Beech (Impreza WRC) 31.29.2
2nd (2) David Higgins/Craig Thorley (Accent WRC) 31.44.5
3rd (4) Paul Bird/Andrew Bargery (Focus WRC) 32.05.4
4th (6) Matthew Wilson/Scott Martin (Focus WRC) 32.08.4
5th (8) Steve Perez/Daniel Barritt (Focus WRC) 32.23.4
6th (3) Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Focus WRC) 32.33.7
7th (7) Barry Johnson/Stewart Merry (Impreza WRC) 32.55.5
8th (30) Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Ignis) 32.58.5 9th (9) Sebastian Ling/James Phillips (Lancer N) 33.26.0
10th (10) Leon Pesticcio/Tim Sturla (Punto) 33.32.8
11th (18) Jonnie Wigmore/Robbie Durant (Puma) 33.59.5
12th (17) Simon Hughes/Craig Parry (Clio) 34.01.4

Following David Higgins' stage 4 puncture, and indeed a bit of a major moment in the process (the flat wheel occurred at a big crest jump into a tight right), and David admits he was going too quick, Jonny Milner was fastest through stage 5 by just under 3s from Higgins. Paul Bird was fastest on that opening Shaw Hill stage 4 where both Milner and Higgins had their punctures, but was 17s down on Milner through stage 5. Jonny commented here at service. "We're having a good run now, the stages are dusty and shaley on top". David Higgins said. "The thing is now do you push hard, try and get the time back and risk punctures? " Paul Bird said "The stages are a bit like a slalom course when I get there, stones everywhere, these boys in front take some cuts". Steve Perez stepped out of his Vodka Kick Focus WRC and remarked. "We're maybe taking it a bit too steady. I'm trying to decide whether to go for it and risk punctures". Matthew Wilson had a great run over this morning's 2 stages, the 17 year old bubbling with enthusiasm when he reached service, and saying. "We had a great run, fabulous stages. I did have a puncture though on stage 4 which knocked the tracking a bit, but everything is going great".

Austin MacHale's times have improved a lot this morning, the Dubliner reporting that his car is handling a lot better since the suspension was raised last night, and it is just a matter of him getting back into the groove. Always at the back of Austin's mind as well is keeping the car straight for next weekend's Donegal International. Barry Johnson is tucked in behind Austin. Barry's co-driver, Stewart Merry, recounted that they are lucky to be still in the rally following a major moment in stage 5, when Barry got a hairpin wrong just after the start, stalled the car, then really went for it and went down a ditch for 200 yards at the next junction.

Guy Wilks is 8th overall and leading the Super 1600, Guy on the crest of a wave since his Super 1600 win on last weekend's Acropolis WRC. He reported that his Ignis is handling better this morning, but his main topic of conversation was about rounding a corner in stage 5 and being confronted with a hawk, or some bird of prey, on the track which flapped majestically into the air as the Suzuki hurtled ever onwards. Its tail feathers brushed the windscreen.

Sebastian Ling in 9th now leads the Group N category by a country mile, despite a puncture at the end of stage 4, which admittedly cost very little time. Sebastian is now concentrating on holding position really. Stuart Jones is listed as 2nd in group N, although we were led to believe that the car is not actually group N. Stuart lost a few seconds when he stopped to make sure that the crew of a crashed car in front were OK. Lorna Smith is listed 3rd in gpN in the 22 Motorsport Impreza. Lorna did not have a great run on stage 4 this morning but a fabulous trip through stage 5. Her team mate Jennie-Lee Hermansson is just 6s behind.

Further stories include - Damian Cole losing time when his Impreza power steering broke in stage 5. Mark I'Anson was off the road for 20s in stage 5, Mark thought his rally was all over, but managed to get back on to the road with no damage.

In the Fiat Stilo Cup Chris Davies was just over a second faster than William Bonniwell through the Shaw Hill stage, to slightly reduce Bonniwell's lead. More news later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net