| WEE
MANX TALES NO.5
Grandstand Service/Saturday 2pm
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 12 Bettridges
1st (1) Kenny McKinstry/Noel Orr (Impreza WRC) 1.05.54.4
2nd (2) Roger Duckworth/Mark Broomfield (Impreza WRC) 1.06.32.5
3rd (5) Marcus Dodd/Andrew Bargery (Accent WRC) 1.06.50.5
4TH (7) Steve Perez/Claire Mole (Focus WRC) 1.08.23.0
5TH (11) Colin McRae/Campbell Roy (Escort) 1.09.19.9
6TH (10) Phil Collins/Damien Crawford (Escort) 1.09.32.6
7th (16) David Kynaston/Andy Russell (Audi A3) 1.09.53.6
8th (14) Steve Hendy/Aled Davies (Focus WRC) 1.10.07.0
9th (35) Neil McCance/Ian Windress (Lancer N) 1.10.19.6
10th (20) Sebastian Ling/Aled Rees (Lancer N) 1.10.22.9
Kenny McKinstry was fastest through stage 10, Marine Drive, and also stage
11, Parville, and then on stage 12 through Foxdale and St Marks, Marcus
Dodd just pipped Roger Duckworth and Kenny McKinstry for fastest.
Following all the dramas and horrendous weather of Friday night the rally
has now settled down somewhat and the drivers have dry roads. Kenny
commented. “Its lovely to get the car on slick tyres, it is a nice
feel, like having nice shoes. James Cullen is doing our gravel notes,
he’s doing a nice job, gives me confidence. These cars are great
when its going right,” Kenny then kissed the steering wheel of his
Subaru and said. “It’s the nicest thing to drive. I still
have the suspension a bit soft, its like a nice girl!”
There are 3 stages to go now on this RBSI Manx Rally and McKinstry’s
lead over Duckworth is 38s while Marcus Dodd is 18s behind Duckworth.
The latter’s co driver Mark Broomfield said. “We had a small
overshoot and a spin and stall on the Round Table on the previous stage,
otherwise a good run and we will try and keep it all together but not
let Marcus get any closer. If we finish as we are we will have had a hat
trick of 2nd places here on the Island!” Marcus Dodd said
of his fastest time through stage 12. “I though we had backed off,
that there was no point in pushing too hard. I felt that there are too
many risks involved in trying to get that 20s back on Roger, so I was
quite surprised to set the fastest time”. Steve Perez in 4th
place seems a little disappointed not to be in a podium place but the
Vodka Kick man did report a soft brake pedal through the last few stages.
Colin McRae in 5th is now thrilling the spectators with his all sideways
but very quick driving style. Colin said. “Its so much better now
that we’re getting grip”. His great rival in the battle
of the Escorts, Phil Collins, said “I’ve got to give best
to Colin. One thing that’s putting me off today is the big black
brake marks, some of the big cars must be braking very early and I keep
thinking I have misheard a pace note”.
There have been all sorts of changes in the Group N situation. Neil
McCance has now moved into the group N lead from Sebastian Ling with Wyn
Humphreys in 3rd. Phillip Morrow lost a lot of time in stage 11 and he’s
well back down the order now. The story is as yet unclear but there was
a tree knocked over, Julian Reynolds’ Lancer was stopped just around
the corner from the tree. Phillip Morrow kept going but with a smashed
front wheel and Connor McCloskey retired his Lancer with damaged front
suspension. We don’t know as yet if the 3 incidents are connected.
Neil McCance reported. “It’s a surprise for me to be leading.
I’ve just been trying to keep it on the road. Keep it in the comfort
zone!” Sebastian Ling was slowed over the last 2 stages when
his Lancer intercooler developed a leak. Sebastian also put a front wheel
into a ditch in stage 12 and lost a few seconds. He does hope to have
the intercooler fixed for the last loop of stages. Jock Armstrong
is still going but 6th in group N now and is having some oil pressure
troubles in his Subaru.
Further stories include: David Kynaston making a great charge over the
last few stages to move into a top point scoring position on the MSA Asphalt
Championship. Stephen Quine would appear to be the top Manx crew
at the moment. Paul Curphey seems to have dropped back following a bad
time on stage 12. Quine, who has Richard Skinner co driving has been trying
new suspension on his Vauxhall and it has taken a while to get the car
handling to his liking as the conditions last night gave him no chance
to do any adjustments. Tom Walster has moved into the lead of the Fiesta
Sporting Trophy but by just 0.1 of a second from Jonathan Greet with Elfyn
Evans 58s back in 3rd and then Alastair Fisher a further 4s in arrears.
Graham Hollis/Ashley Trimble in car 61 have had a good run over the Mount
Rule and Tholt-y-Will stages in their 2 litre Gp4 Mk2 Escort and they
are one of the top points scorers in the BTRDA Tarmac series. More news
later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON |
