UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 1 Cashelnagor

1^st (2) Eugene Donnelly/Carl Moore (Corolla WRC) 9.27

    (18) James Cullen/Reba Graham (Lancer N) 9.27

3^rd (5) Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Impreza WRC) 9.29

4^th (9) Martin Doherty/Andrew Cullen (Impreza WRC) 9.30

5^th (6) James Gillen/John McCafferty (Impreza) 9.35

   (12) Damien Gallagher/Mac Walsh (Escort) 9.35

   (19) Eugene Ferry/John Gallagher (Escort) 9.35

8^th (16) Robbie Peoples/Keith Stewart (Escort) 9.41

9^th (11) Brendan Kelly/Ger Callaghan (Lancer N) 9.43

    (25) Stuart Darcy/Brian Boyle (Lancer N) 9.43

Eugene Donnelly has guest co-driver Carl Moore today, and what a trip the new Tarmac Champion gave Ramelton man Carl over that first stage.  It was actually Carl’s daughter Rachel who won the raffle in aid of the local residents group to sit beside Eugene, but Rachel, at 12 years old, didn’t qualify for the insurance, so dad Carl got his first run in the co-driver’s seat.  Eugene is down in the entry list to drive a Skoda WRC, but is in fact in his Corolla WRC.  As can be seen above James Cullen is credited with equal fastest time for that opening stage. James and co driver Reba Graham did have a great run through the stage, but their time of 9.27 still needs to be ratified.

Paul Harris was supposed to be first on the road, but he non-started.  Patrick Elliott was 2^nd on the road behind Eugene Donnelly, but Patrick appears to have pulled out after the first stage. He set a time of 9.40, but was having power steering problems.  Hugh Martin Doherty was 3^rd on the road but he has put his Subaru in a ditch on a notorious square left tightens.  We don’t think there is any damage but the Subaru seems to be stuck. 

Niall Maguire had a good run to 3^rd fastest while Martin Doherty in 4^th had some intercom problems but otherwise a good run.

James Cullen was the fastest group N car, although as we said above his time still needs ratified. While both Brendan Kelly and Stuart Darchy had good clean runs in their respective Lancers.  

Damien Gallagher was the pace setter for the 2 wheel drive cars, a few more times include – Paul Gallagher in his Corolla on 9.53. Maurice Moffett, trying to bed in to a new engine in his Starlet recorded 10.11.  Gordon Rogers did 9.57 in his Escort. Drew Hunter 9.42 and Brian Brogan 10.12. 

Frank Wray’s Lancer suffered a puncture and we did not get his time. 

More news later.