RALLY NEWS NO.2
Millstreet Service/Saturday 10.00am
UNOFFICIAL
LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 1 MOLLS GAP
1st (1)
Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Impreza WRC) 8.08
2nd (2)
Derek McGarrity/Dermot O'Gorman (Impreza WRC) 8.11
3rd (3)
Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Corolla WRC) 8.12
4th (4)
Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Focus WRC) 8.14
5th (6)
Eamonn Boland/Francis Regan (Impreza WRC) 8.17
6th (9)
Kevin Lynch/Gordon Noble (Impreza WRC) 8.23
7th (10)
JJ Fleming/Robbie Ward (Focus WRC) 8.35
8th (7)
Tim McNulty/Eugene O'Donnell (Impreza WRC) 8.36
9th (8)
Denis Cronin/Helen O'Sullivan (Impreza WRC) 8.37
10th (14)
Tony Davies/Jakes Kelly (Impreza WRC) 8.40
(18) George
Tracey/Killian Duffy (206 WRC) 8.40
Damp mizzly
conditions greeted the drivers when they started the first stae of this 2005
Rally of the Lakes. The opening stage, Molls Gap, has had to be shortened
because of road works, the distances now 15.6 kilometres, the stage finishing
just at the Gap. Andrew Nesbitt powered his Pirelli shod Subaru through in
fastest time of 8.08 Andrew reporting conditions to be slippery but not too
bad. In close order behind, Derek McGarrity, Eugene Donnelly and Austin
MacHale reported no big problems. Peadar Hurson was next up, the Warrenpoint
man not happy with his Subaru which was misfiring, and his time was 8.51.
Eamonn Boland had a good run, and then it was Tim McNulty, Tim saying he was
too cautious. Denis Cronin in the next car also said he was too cautious.
Drivers in trouble in
the stage included Denis Biggerstaff, the Kinallen man’s Subaru sporting a
front left flat tyre at stage finish. At least he got there, Nigel Hicklin
didn’t, his Skoda stopped with what seemed like a mechanical problem in the
stage. Also stopped was Killarney Mazda dealer Johnny O’Sullivan, his Escort
WRC reportedly ceased at Galways Bridge.
In the battle for
Group N Colm Murphy was fastest in his Impreza with a time of 8.44. Then it
was Fermanagh man Garry Jennings with 8.47 in his Lancer. Followed by Alan
Ring in the Munster Joinery Impreza on 8.48.
Some other Group N
times, not in particular order, were Willie Fannin on 8.56. Seamus Leonard
8.58. Local man Kevin O’Donoghue 8.59. 023 Tiles boss James O’Sullivan 9.00,
James thinks he was on the wrong tyres. Aaron MacHale did a 9.07. Roy White,
bedding in with new co driver Stephen McAuley had a 9.16. Alan Nesbitt 9.19.
In the battle for 2
wheel drive honours Phil Collins was simply stunning, as always, setting a
time of 8.46 in his Mk2 Escort. John Dalton struggled in the damp conditions
in his Darrian and recorded 9.11. Interestingly Colin McRae set a time of
8.49, 3s slower than Collins. Colin was a couple of minutes late at the
start, slightly unsettled by all the fuss. Still, this looks like being a bit
of a battle between himself and Phil Collins. Hopefully it won’t end in
tears!
Some further times
from Molls Gap include – George Cullen in his Skoda 8.53. John Cope 9.26.
Tommy Graham 8.49. Tom Randles with a new water injection system and turbo in
his Celica 9.04.
We reported on our
first RallyNews that Eddie Garry had switched to an Impreza WRC, unfortunately
he did not make the start after all. He was called back home unexpectedly.
Another non starter was Mark Courtney.
More news after stage
2. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON (with thanks to Padraig Reddington)
www.rallynews.net
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