RALLY NEWS NO.2               Service/Letterkenny/Friday 2.30

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 3 Gortree

1^st (3) Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Impreza WRC) 16.19.3

2^nd (1) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Corolla WRC) 16.21.0

3^rd (5) Kevin Lynch/Gordon Noble (Impreza WRC) 16.24.6

4^th (2) Derek McGarrity/Dermot O'Gorman (Impreza WRC) 16.26.7

5^th (6) Eamonn Boland/Francis Regan (Impreza WRC) 16.42.9

6^th (7) Tim McNulty/Eugene O'Donnell (Impreza WRC) 16.49.6

7^th (10) Paul Harris/John McCafferty (Impreza WRC) 17.10.1

8^th (4) Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Focus WRC) 17.22.8

9^th (59) Shaun Gallagher/Charlie McGinty (Lancer N) 17.37.0

10^th (12) Gareth Jones/Paul Goodman (Impreza WRC) 17.44.5

Andrew Nesbitt was fastest on the opening stage, Eugene Donnelly was fastest on the 2^nd stage and Derek McGarrity quickest on the 3^rd.  Only seconds separating the top drivers and we really have a massive race on our hands at the head of this Shell Donegal International Rally. Last year’s winner Eugene Donnelly commented when he arrived into service in Letterkenny. “I’m just loving this, big slides, it is very slippy under the trees although lots of the roads are drying out. It’s a real good old pace, we’re using every inch of the road.  I’m having a small problem with the car, with the gear cut on 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd, but overall its OK.”  Derek McGarrity said “We had a bit of a spin on the 2^nd stage, otherwise its good, the car is dead on, and I’m not going stupid just yet”.  Andrew Nesbitt said. “Tyre choice is a bit of a lottery, its very slippy in places, good in others.  We’re just keeping it nice and steady for the moment”.  Kevin Lynch also reported no problems and he is just poised ready to make a move for the front. Such is the pace however that will not be easy. 

Austin MacHale has had a problem with his Focus centre differential from the word go. He had a spin at the farmyard on the first stage and then had a quick trip into a field. He has been really fighting to keep the car on the road and on the pace. Eamonn Boland and Tim McNulty both had good runs so far. Steve Perez in the Vodka Kick Focus is trying to find his feet on these Irish tarmac roads, just the braking distance and the grip level.  Paul Harris has a small problem with his Impreza WRC, jumping out of 4^th gear, otherwise settling down to the task in hand.  Cathal Arthurs is just off the leaderboard, no major problems with his Accent.

Young Gareth Jones has been a bit tentative so far, the Welshman devoid of time in a rally car this year so it will take a while to find his feet.  Kevin Barrett was delayed on the first stage behind Sean Devine’s accident. Stepped up the pace through stages 2 and 3.  Maurice Gass is content to clock up a few miles in his Skoda, Maurice on a total of 18.31.3. Denis Biggerstaff on 18.17.3. 

In Group N Shaun Gallagher is showing everyone the way home. Roy White is pleased to be back on the pace in his new Lancer.  Garry Jennings got held up slightly earlier on, but now on the pace.  White’s total 17.53.9.  Seamus Leonard going nicely with 17.56.1.  Garry Jennings 18.03.2.  Colm Murphy made a slow start and is on 18.13.9. Andrew Stewart has a slight misfire or hesitation in his new Impreza, his total 18.07.8. Aaron MacHale 18.14.0. Willie Fannin says the back of his Impreza seems very wayward, his total 18.16.7. 

Phil Collins would appear to be leading the 2 wheel drive/National part of the rally on 18.19.9 in his Mk.2 Escort.

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

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