RALLY NEWS NO.2 End of stage 1 – Sunday - Noon

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 1 Knocknagashel
1st (4) Mike Quinn/Sean Enright (Escort) 10.32
2nd (6) Tadgh Lenihan/Mark Kane (Impreza N) 10.44
3rd (2) Alan Ring/Derek Brannigan (Impreza N) 10.47
(12) John Kearney/Denis O'Connell (Escort) 10.47
5th (19) Kevin O'Donoghue/Joe O'Leary (Escort) 10.49
6th (3) Kevin & Martin Kelleher (Lancer N) 10.52

The above times are provisional and from the first few cars only.

Bright blue skies greeted the drivers on the opening stage of this Bio-Tech backed Kerry Winter Rally, but the conditions flattered to deceive as there were frosty patches in the shadows. Many drivers got caught out. First on the road, Noel Redmond put his hired McElvaney Subaru in a ditch towards the finish of the stage, lost about 10 or 15 seconds.

Alan Ring had a good run, was trying out new tyres, and said he still had a few “major moments”. Kevin Kelleher put his Lancer up a bank on a square right, no real damage but a few seconds lost.

Rally leader Mike Quinn had a fantastic run in his Mk2 Escort. Eamonn Daly, set a time of 10.54, but seemed to damage the 2 near side wheels and there was some vibration problem towards stage finish.

Tadgh Lenehan set a marvellous time but side swiped his GpN Impreza just before the stage finish and damaged the rear suspension. Pat Donegan had a time of 11.30. Well down the time sheets but the Kells man reported a spin at a junction. His co driver, Birthday Boy Jakes Kelly, looked disappointed.

James Coleman’s Escort stopped in the stage. We believe now retired.

Aidan Walsh was slowed when his sunglasses fogged up – first time we’ve heard of that in a rally car!

John Hickey had a huge sideways moment in his red group N Impreza and has damaged the suspension in some way, the car now “crabbing”.

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