RALLY NEWS NO.4 Saturday – Kirkistown – 3pm

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 4
1st (6) Charlie Donnelly/Pat O'Kane (Corolla WRC) 11.08.8
2nd (9) Denis Biggerstaff/Barry Fox (Impreza WRC) 11.10.8
3rd (5) Kenny McKinstry/Camillus O'Neill (Impreza WRC) 11.11.0
4th (7) Kevin Lynch/Raymond Hill (Impreza WRC) 11.14.0
5th (12) Derek McGeehan/Charlie Donaghy (Corolla WRC) 11.20.6
6th (10) Kevin Barrett/Johnny McGonigle (Impreza WRC) 11.22.7
7th (8) Glenn Allen/Leon McCrystal (Corolla WRC) 11.23.8
8th (18) Stephen & Pamela Moore (Focus WRC) 11.24.6
9th (3) Gwyndaf Evans/Paul Kiely (Lancer N) 11.27.3
10th (17) Emma McKinstry/Ryan Rogers (Impreza WRC) 11.31.6
11th (30) Michael Curran/Michael Haddock (Lancer N) 11.31.7
12th (20) Brendan O'Hagan/John Rowland (Focus WRC) 11.32.9

There was a huge battle for fastest time honours on that 4th stage and Kenny McKinstry came out on top, just .1 of a second faster than Kevin Lynch. Kenny’s actual time was 2.25.6, exactly the same as his stage 3 time. Kevin Lynch’s Subaru stopped the clock on 2.25.7. Charlie Donnelly recorded 2.26.0 and Denis Biggerstaff 2.26.9. McKinstry commented at stage finish “It felt fast, real good, but on the mucky gravelly stuff it was even slippier than before. I’ll tell you though, this new car is some yoke”. Kevin Lynch said. “A good clean run”. His co driver Raymond Hill adding “We were going pretty deep into the corners that time”. Charlie Donnelly said he had no problems. Charlie is driving the same Corolla WRC that brother Eugene is using to OO in. Eugene had Laura O’Neill co driving this time, Kieran McAnallen’s grand daughter, and Eugene stopped the clock on 2.25.4 which would have been the fastest time of the day so far. Robert Dunlop/Pamela Ballantine in the OO Escort took time during stage 4 to do “doughnuts” (the spinning sort not the eating sort!)

When complimented on his stage time Denis Biggerstaff laughed and pointed at his Subaru’s rear window and said “Just read that”…..what it said was “not bad for two oul farts in a fast car”!!!

In Group N Gwyndaf Evans/Paul Kiely got their hand brake troubles from stage 3 sorted and Gwyndaf set a good time, slightly up on his closest group N rival Michael Curran, although Michael was held up slightly by a Mk2 Escort. Interestingly young Connor McCloskey had the fastest gpN time of all although Connor is further back in the order following his first stage spin.

Further stories include…..Derek McGeehan commented. “could have been better”. (Derek was still 1s faster than Glenn Allen). Emma McKinstry said “That’s some crack!” Brian O’Mahony reckons the overheating problem in his Metro 6R4 is sorted and he’s going well again. Monaghan man Niall Maguire, 3 times National Champion, is driving a G3 Escort today instead of his usual Impreza WRC and he said “It’s a long time since I’ve said I’m mad for tar. Today that’s the way I feel, this is great”. Fellow Monaghan man Dessie Keenan said “At least we’re consistent today, spinning on every stage!” Camillus Bradley also had a spin and was disappointed with his time of 2.40.7, but in an amazing coincidence his rival for 2 wheel drive honours, Trevor Moore, punctured a front right tyre on a loose section, and his time was also 2.40.7. Rodney White in the Sunbeam nipped in with a 2.39.3. Brendan Crealey in the ex Rory Galligan Lancer said “For me trying to go fast today is a lost cause, it’s a good yahoo I’m having, time for the gravel tyres now!” Killarney man Dave Slattery has retired his Mk2 Escort following gearbox troubles but still said he’s never had such an enjoyable day. Dave intends now to sell this Escort and build a new 2.4 for West Cork Rally in March. Derrick Jobb is still going nicely in his Celica while his co driver Peter Canavan is just having a ball – really enjoying the rally.

More to follow….BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net