RALLY NEWS NO.4 Glenariff Service/Saturday 12.30

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 3 BALLYPATRICK
1st (75) Sean Devine/Damien Duffin (Impreza WRC) 13.10
2nd (2) Glenn Allen/Damien Connolly (Corolla WRC) 13.13
(3) Raymond & David Johnston (Impreza WRC) 13.13
4th (12) Richard Cathcart/Aidan Friel (Impreza N) 13.32
5th (34) David Crossan/Andrew Bushe (Lancer N) 13.35
6th (9) John McGlaughlin/David McIlroy (Lancer N) 13.48
(16) Gareth Logan/Alan Purdy (Lancer N) 13.48
8th (7) John & Mandy McKeown (Escort WRC) 13.49
9th (10) Peter McCullagh/Alan Dolan (Lancer N) 13.53
10th (80) Brian McGillen/David Doherty (Impreza WRC) 13.53
11th (14) Errol Clarke/Martin McGarrity (Lancer N) 13.55
12th (5) James Murphy/John Brennan (Escort WRC) 14.05

The stunning news in from stage 3, Ballypatrick, is that Kenny McKinstry has crashed his Impreza into a ditch and is out of the rally. The accident happened after a 3 left over crest and the Subaru seems to have spun round some way and went into a ditch. Following drivers reported that there seemed to be a fair bit of damage and possibly a wheel knocked off, but it is too soon to tell.

Once the first few cars had gone through the new section of the stage the drivers reported that there were big rocks coming to the surface and it was really difficult with stones and rocks flying everywhere. Sean Devine however had no problems although he did find it slippy. Glenn Allen had some gearbox troubles and had to switch to manual. Raymond Johnston had a huge moment at the jumps just after the start of the stage and it knocked him out of his stride. He felt he had lost a lot of time but it wasn’t so bad.

John McGlaughlin in the gpN Lancer said he really struggled over the rough stuff. Petter McCullagh telling the same story at stage finish. David Crossan lost his group N lead to Richard Cathcart, Crossan having some small delay at a chicane. Richard Cathcart was well pleased with his run and is going to chase after the WRC machines over Slieveanorra!!

Just a few 2 wheel drive times coming in ….Andy Magee seemed to be fastest again through Parkmore with a time of 3.48. James Kennedy and Mark Barnett both on 3.53. Adrian Heatherington 3.54.

Some more totals after stage 3 – Maurice Gass 14.56. James Murphy 14.05. George Robinson, still trying to settle in to his hired Lancer 14.51. Stanley Ballantine 14.18. Jody McGrath in the Legacy 14.40.

More news later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net (with thanks to Michael Patterson & Martin McGrath)