RALLY NEWS NO.3       Near Newtown Cunningham/Friday 3.50pm

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 4 Ardnaditian

1st (3) Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Impreza WRC) 22.03.2

2^nd (1) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Corolla WRC) 22.06.5

3^rd (2) Derek McGarrity/Dermot O'Gorman (Impreza WRC) 22.12.7

4^th (5) Kevin Lynch/Gordon Noble (Impreza WRC) 22.36.2

5^th (6) Eamonn Boland/Francis Regan (Impreza WRC) 22.37.7

6^th (7) Tim McNulty/Eugene O'Donnell (Impreza WRC) 22.41.4

7^th (10) Paul Harris/John McCafferty (Impreza WRC) 23.11.7

8^th (4) Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Focus WRC) 23.23.4

9^th (59) Shaun Gallagher/Charlie McGinty (Lancer N) 23.44.6

10^th (9) Steve Perez/Neil Dashfield (Focus WRC) 23.55.8

Andrew Nesbitt was fastest through stage 4, by 1.5s from Eugene Donnelly with Derek McGarrity a further 0.5 of a second back.  A small select group of press people at stage finish waited expectantly for Kevin Lynch, thinking perhaps he would break the domination of the 3 in front, but in fact the seconds ticked on and it wasn’t to be. Kevin was 27s down on Nesbitt, and said “Stalled at the start line just wouldn’t fire up”.  Nesbitt said. “Perfect run”. McGarrity said. “Good”. Eugene Donnelly observed. “Good but at the same time cautious. Gears still not fixed”. Eamonn Boland had a really good run to maintain 5^th place and Tim McNulty in the Pierse Impreza was just a few seconds off the fastest times, Tim going as well as he has all year. 

Austin MacHale seems to have got his centre diff problem with the Focus WRC fixed, and he set a good time, 6^th quickest. Steve Perez also went well, Steve starting to get to grips with the Irish roads. Paul Harris was slightly disappointed, still having 4^th gear problems and hopes to get the gearbox in the McKinstry car changed at service tonight. Also hoping to get some work done at service is young Gareth Jones. His Impreza WRC has a problem with the turbo speed sensor and the car is shifting into “safe mode” meaning no power.  The whole turbo unit will need to be changed tonight. Pretty frustrating for the Welshman, firstly because he can’t set the times this afternoon, and also because it was a new turbo for the rally and they cost a fortune! 

Kevin Barrett in the Triton Showers Subaru was 40s faster that time than his first run through the stage which gives some indication of how much time he lost stopping at Sean Devine’s accident first time through. Maurice Gass, Denis Biggerstaff, Neil McKinnon and Hugh Martin Doherty are having their own battle for the places just outside the top 10. All going well so far.

In Group N Shaun Gallagher was again fastest, but this time by just 0.1 of a second from Seamus Leonard.  While Roy White and Garry Jennings tied, just over 4s back on the leading pair. Colm Murphy had a good time, just a second slower than Jennings, and a whole lot better than his first run through the stage, Colm very cautious following his Limerick accident. Other Group N drivers there or thereabouts include Willie Fannin and Cathal Rogers and Andrew Steewart.  Local man Andrew still has that hesitation/misfire in his Impreza.

Group N drivers struggling to set the times this afternoon include Aaron MacHale, Alan Nesbitt and James Cullen.  All just a little back from the leading bunch.

Phil Collins continues to set the pace in the 2 wheel drive/National category. Phil was 7s quicker than John Dalton in the Darrian through that 4^th stage. Collins also told us at stage finish that his horn stuck on during the stage. Probably he thinks the only time it will happen over the course of the weekend…..

More news later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON (AND MICHAEL) www.rallynews.net

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