RALLY NEWS NO.2                              Lurgan Park/Saturday/12.45

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 2

1^st (1) Kevin Lynch/Francis Regan (Impreza WRC 4.33.5

2^nd (3) Kenny McKinstry/Fintan McGrady (Impreza WRC) 4.36.4

3^rd (5) David Higgins/Ieuan Thomas (Impreza WRC) 4.40.9

4^th (6) Glenn Allen/Kieran McCracken (Corolla WRC) 4.41.8

5^th (11) Raymond Johnston/Richard Bell (Impreza WRC) 4.43.2

6^th (7) Denis Biggerstaff/John Lewis (Impreza WRC) 4.43.7

7^th (20) Garry Jennings/Dara Mullan (Lancer N) 4.43.8

8^th (14) Nigel Worswick/Clive Molyneaux (Escort WRC) 4.44.6

9^th (19) Michael Curran/Fabian McShane 9Lancer N) 4.45.5

10^th (9) Peadar Hurson/Damien Connolly (Impreza WRC) 4.50.5

Kevin Lynch was sweating hard when he reached the end of the 2^nd stage.  He had just set a stunningly fast time and said. “We found it fairly slippy on the first stage and ran intermediates, that time we were on slick tyres and went really well. “  When Kenny McKinstry came in behind him and saw his time, 10 times Lurgan Park winner Kenny just shook his head.  His jaw also dropped open he was so stunned at Lynch’s speed.  Kenny commented. “He must have found a short cut because we went well”. 

Niall McShea is 3^rd on the road, Niall was very disappointed to have lost time when he stalled the engine not once but twice, Niall saying. “I thought I had it right but obviously I hadn’t”.  David Higgins has moved up to 3^rd overall having been 5^th on the first run. David said. “We had a big moment at a chicane when we were up on 2 wheels after hitting a tyre, otherwise OK”.  Glenn Allen had a good time despite having no 6^th gear, Glenn told us. “We think it’s the dog ring damaged in 6^th gear but we think as well the gearbox should last the day and the other gears will alright”.  Denis Biggerstaff had a good run, but he seemed a little disappointed and said. “I’d like to have an excuse but don’t!”  Peadar Hurson is speeding up and said. “Its getting used to being in a rally car again after 5 months lay off”.  Maurice Gass got to grips with the timing lights that run and went OK. Raymond Johnston set a good time and said. “We had a slight overshoot at the end of the trees and selected 4^th gear instead of 2^nd in front of the paddock but otherwise OK”. 

Nigel Worswick is going brilliantly considering his Escort WRC is now a fairly old car, albeit a very nice one, and is of course equipped with the normal manual box.  Derek McGeehan nearly had his Corolla on its side but got away with it. While Derrick Jobb couldn’t get his big Celica around the tight hairpins.

In Group N Garry Jennings was again fastest, Garry worried about a screeching noise coming from his Lancer’s centre differential.  Michael Curran took a couple of corners to get used to his change on to slick tyres and dropped well over a second to Jennings. Richard Hogg seems to have got his Lancer throttle problems solved but was 3s down on Curran.  John McGlaughlin’s Lancer has only 1.4 bar boost and he thinks the engine computer may need re-mapped.  Gareth Logan is driving James Cullen’s Evo8 for the first time and he is just a few seconds off the pace. Martin Elliott is turning in a solid performance to lie 3^rd group N.  Emma McKinstry seems to be struggling just a little and is down the time list at the moment.

In the race for the Mark 2 Escort category Trevor Moore was fastest on that 2^nd stage from Wesley Patterson with Alister McRae 3^rd, just seconds separating them, although Trevor Moore was stunningly quick.  Trevor had to make a quick trip to England this week to get his Mountune engine rebuilt and said. “We had a bit of a cut on that one”.  His co driver, UTV’s Pamela Ballantine, told us. “It was all down to me!”  If you want to know the reason why you will have to ask her yourself!!  Wesley Patterson reckons his 2^nd gear is on the way out, it has got very noisy. More news later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net (with thanks to Micha4el Patteson & John McIlroy)