RALLY NEWS NO.5 Millstreet Service/Saturday 1.30

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 5 Knocknagree
1st (4) Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Impreza WRC) 37.26.6
2nd (6) Donie O'Sullivan/Sean Mullally (Impreza WRC) 37.35.9
3rd (14) Gareth Jones/David Moynihan (Impreza WRC) 37.42.2
4th (1) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Corolla WRC) 37.51.6
5th (2) Derek McGarrity/Dermot O'Gorman (Impreza WRC) 37.56.2
6th (16) Stephen Murphy/M Morrissey (Impreza WRC) 38.39.0
7th (8) Denis Cronin/Helen O'Sullivan (Impreza WRC) 39.09.5
8th (27) Seamus Leonard/John McCafferty (Lancer N) 39.35.5
9th (3) Eamonn Boland/Francis Regan (Focus WRC) 39.48.8
10th (12) Aaron MacHale/Craig Parry (Focus WRC) 39.53.1
11th (9) Nigel Hicklin/Dairmuid Falvey (Impreza WRC) 40.05.6
12th (25) Alan Ring/Brian Duggan (Impreza N) 40.05.9

Gareth Jones squeezed in a fastest time through stage 4 and then Tim McNulty was fastest by just a split second from Donie O’Sullivan through stage 5. It is very tight between the top drivers, but having said that, stages 3, 4 and 5 are exceptionally fast and its really a matter of keeping the cars flat out in places. McNulty reported all well with his Pierse backed Impreza when he appeared here at service. Donie O’Sullivan freely admitted that he cooked the clutch in his Subaru at the start of stage 5, switched the anti lag off and tried to nurse the car for the first few miles of the stage, so it was quite remarkable then that he was so close to the fastest at stage finish. Gareth Jones, Eugene Donnelly and Derek McGarrity, 3rd, 4th and 5th, all report no problems. Stephen Murphy is increasing the pace as he settles in to his first run in an Impreza S11. Denis Cronin made a cautious start and is now committing himself through the corners.

Seamus Leonard continues to dominate the group N category, Seamus’ new Lancer flying through these very fast stages.

Eamonn Boland has got well on the pace following his problems through the first 2 stages when his Focus lost its gearbox hydraulic pressure.

Not so happy include JJ Fleming whose Focus had all sorts of transmission troubles, stuck in 3rd gear, and had problems getting into service. George Cullen’s Impreza developed a misfire in stage 4 and as George checked all the dials he arrived into a bridge too fast and damaged the front of the Subaru against the parapet. Tadgh Linehan has crashed his Impreza and so far there is no sign of him at service.

Kevin Kelleher is a bit happier now but still has some brake troubles with his hired Lancer. Alan Ring had a huge overshoot at a junction in stage 5, same place as he crashed last year. Paddy White’s Impreza WRC has a slipping clutch. Tom Holton changed the intercooler on his Celica and he’s back on the pace. Tom is now hot in pursuit of Phil Collins who leads the modified section in his Escort. James Foley has clipped the right front corner of his Lancer, James lying 14th overall and 3rd group N, and said. “The car is fantastic, I’m crap and can’t catch up with the car. The mechanics are going to service me and not the car to see if will do any good!” Roy White is 4th group N, Kevin O’Donoghue 5th and James O’Sullivan 6th. James lost a few seconds in stage 5 when he caught up with the struggling Tony Davies in the Metro 6R4. Denis Biggerstaff was very rusty over the first few stages but has now speeded up and from being 30th on the opening test is 13th overall after stage 5.
More news later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net
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