UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 12

1^st (3) Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Impreza WRC) 1.26.20.1

2^nd (4) Denis Cronin/Helen O'Sullivan (Impreza WRC) 1.26.44.6

3^rd (8) Steve Fleck/Mark Aspinall (Impreza WRC) 1.28.14.3

4^th (11) John Dalton/Gwynfor Jones (Darrian) 1.28.51.4

5^th (7) Bob Fowden/Jerry Hynes (Impreza WRC) 1.29.29.9

6^th (9) Nigel Hicklin/Sam McMullan (Octavia WRC) 1.30.26.1

7^th (6) JJ Fleming/Robbie Ward (Focus WRC) 1.30.44.9

8^th (15) James O'Sullivan/Kieran O'Callaghan (Lancer N) 1.31.06.0

9^th (23) Willie Power/Adrian Deasy (Darrian) 1.32.34.1

10^th (31) George Thaw/Tony Ettunger (Impreza WRC) 1.32.39.5

Liam McCarthy survived all sorts of dramas on the way out to stage 11 following service when he encountered several delays including his Subaru boiling up.  However, he got over that, the car seemed to run well and he set fastest time through both stages 11 and 12.  Denis Cronin reported no real problems, although he did admit to forgetting to switch on the water injection system earlier.  The race between Tony Davies and Steve Fleck for 3^rd place evaporated when Davies put his Subaru off the road on what he calls a fast 6 left.  In the process of going through the hedge he damaged a front wheel, and lost 6 minutes getting that changed, and the car back on the road. Unofficially, we have Tony back in 13^th position. 

Steve Fleck set good times through stages 11 and 12 to reinforce his position, and Steve says he is learning the car all the time.  Ashley Field was 5^th overnight with his Darrian, slipped to 6^th after stage 10, and has now put the car into a hedge and out of the rally.  Ashley and co driver Janice Hooley are reported to be both OK.  This leaves John Dalton in a very strong 4^th place and setting nice times.  Bob Fowden was a lot happier through 11 and 12 than he had been earlier, he has had a chat with McKinstry, changed the rear ride height and tyres on the car, and his times have improved dramatically. JJ Fleming has also speeded up following his earlier intercom troubles. Nigel Hicklin has softened the suspension of the Skoda WRC, feels he is getting the hang of the car, and again that is reflected in his stage times.  Willie Power had a good run in the Darrian to move into the top 10.

James O’Sullivan continues to lead group N, the car is still using water, but it doesn’t seem to be getting any worse. Mark Morgan is 2^nd gpN and Kevin Kelleher 3^rd.  Local man Kelleher has changed the front brakes on his new lancer, and also the tyres, and he was 3s faster than Morgan through stage 12. There is just 12s between those 2, so all to play for.  (Kevin cutting his pony tail off must have helped as well!!) George Thaw is really getting into the swing of things now, loving the stages, and has moved into the top 10. Gwyndaf Evans is just outside the leading bunch, and continues to lead class 12. We reported on the last Rally News that Tim O’Donovan got his Corolla Twin Cam into the top 20 and was leading his class by a good margin, intent on getting to the finish, and wouldn’t you know, he hasn’t arrived in here to service after stage 12……

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