RALLY NEWS NO.3
Dolgellau/Saturday/7.30
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 5
Gartheiniog
1st (2) Austin
MacHale/Brian Murphy (Focus WRC) 1.05.50.1
2nd (4) David
Higgins/Daniel Barritt (Lancer N) 1.06.49.1
3rd (6) Jon
Ingram/Shaun O'Gorman (Focus WRC) 1.06.53.0
4th (5) Sebastian
Ling/Ian Allsop (Accent WRC) 1.07.22.5
5th (8) Rory
Galligan/Greg Shinnors (Lancer N) 1.07.30.2
6th (7) Gareth
MacHale/Paul Nagle (Corolla WRC) 1.07.49.1
7th (15) Richard
Gower/Aled Davies (Accent WRC) 1.07.49.3
8th (14) Stuart
Jones/Ross Butler (Lancer N) 1.08.14.5
9th (11) Paul
Wedgbury/Gemma Price (Impreza N) 1.08.16.1
10th (16) John
Lloyd/Pauline Gullick (Imnpreza W"RC) 1.08.44.3
This International Rally of Wales
turned on its head in stage 5, Gartheiniog, when Mark Higgins’
Focus WRC ground to a halt with reported transmission trouble.
Mark had led from the word go and had built up a 2 minute lead
over young Matthew Wilson in a similar Focus. Unfortunately
Matthew then crashed out a short distance from where Higgins had
stopped. This was a very fast section of track and Matthew’s
Focus went into the trees. The medical services were quickly in
attendance and both crew members are being taken to hospital.
Austin MacHale was running
ahead of Matthew Wilson and he was the only driver to complete the
stage without a stoppage. Austin did report a slow time, his
Focus wipers packing up when the main shaft from the motor
snapped. However, Austin’s main concern was for the welfare of
Matthew Wilson and co driver Scott Martin. The fact that he is now
leading the rally is very secondary.
David Higgins is up to 2nd
in his Group N Lancer, David reporting some problem with the front
brakes locking up but otherwise OK. David’s team mate Rory
Galligan was faster through stage 3, but dropped a second on stage
4 when he had a soft tyre for the last few miles of the test. Rory
told us that his Lance rhas had no 6th gear all day and
the engineers are hoping to change the gearbox this evening. He
has also been making a few adjustments to the car this afternoon
and feels it will be good for the Sunday leg. Sebastian Ling had
a good time through stage 3, but then had a spin in stage 4 in his
Accent WRC.
Gareth MacHale seemed to be
really getting to grips with his Corolla and is quite pleased to
be into the top 6 overnight. Jon Ingram in 3rd place
feels there is a problem with the centre diff in the car and also
the back brakes keep locking up, the little brake balance knob on
the dash seems to be a bit wonky. Jon joked that it is like
driving his old Sunbeam. Paul Wedgebury is driving a Prodrive
Impreza N11 for the first time. Prodrive have actually loaned him
the car while a new car is being built for him. This is Paul’s
first time with Gemma Price co driving and his first time in left
hand drive, so he’s more than happy to be on the pace.
Stuart Jones has had a good
run through the last couple of stages to hold 3rd Group
N. Robert Swann has had further brake problems and is lying just
inside the top 20. Lorna Smith is now up to 11th
overall just ahead of Iwan Rees, with Aaron MacHale next up, then
Barry Clark. Conrad Rautenbach is into the top 20 with his new
Citroen C2, no problems reported. Robbie Dale \and Glenn
Patterson in the Clio are leading the F2 category from Andrew
Leece. Anders Fredricsson has retired his Clio Ragnotti with a
broken radiator. Stephen Petch has retired his Lancer, off the
road in stage 3.
On Somerset Stages Andy Burton was
leading after 11 stages from Peter Elkins with Steve Winter 3rd.
More news in the morning. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSONU
www.rallynews.net
