RALLY NEWS NO.2 End of Stage 1/Saturday 11.30

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 1 ROSSMORE
1st (3) Donie O'Sullivan/Paul Nagle (Impreza WRC) 7.17.5
2nd (4) Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Corolla WRC) 7.24.8
3rd (7) Colm Murphy/Ger Loughrey (Lancer N) 7.31.8
4th (6) Phil Collins/Derek Brannigan (Escort) 7.34.0
5th (2) Stephen Murphy/MJ Morrissey (Impreza WRC) 7.41.0
6th (11) JJ Fleming/Robbie Ward (Focus WRC) 7.41.6

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 2 BALLINASCARTHY
1st (3) Donie O'Sullivan/Paul Nagle (Impreza WRC) 14.58.4
2nd (4) Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Corolla WRC) 15.15.7
3rd (7) Colm Murphy/Ger Loughrey (Lancer N) 15.25.0
4th (21) Adrian Hetherington/Gary Nolan (Escort) 15.30.0
5th (6) Phil Collins/Derek Brannigan (Escort) 15.31.8
6th (11) JJ Fleming/Robbie Ward (Focus WRC) 15.44.9

Streaming wet roads caused most of the drivers a bit of difficulty on the opening stage. As can be seen above Donie O’Sullivan was leading after that first stage and reinforced his advantage on stage 2. Donie felt that he could have had more cuts in the tyres for the streaming wet roads on the first stage but settled down well in stage 2. Stephen Murphy spun and stalled at the tight hairpin on that Rossmore stage and we believe had a moment in stage 2 and is parked at the end of the test. His Subaru has not arrived here at service yet.

Liam McCarthy had a very good run in his new Corolla over the first 2 stages. John Dalton on the other hand felt he had a poor run, his very powerful Darrian a big handful on these wet roads.

Phil Collins reported the stages very slippy but otherwise OK. Colm Murphy was fastest group N and best of the Evo drivers so far. Colm trying to be easy on the car off the start line and as a consequence stalled it. Owen Murphy is struggling with his new suspension, Owen quite a few seconds down on Colm over the first 2 stages. JJ Fleming reckons he is still settling down in his Focus WRC. Alan Ring found his Lancer aquaplaning, he reckoned he was on the wrong tyres. Alan outside the top 6 on a total of 16.02.9.

Kevin O’Donoghue reported his Escort “all over the shop” following a rebuild. 023 Tiles Southern 4 Champion Kevin on a total of 16.32.3. Wesley Patterson set good times despite a spin at the hairpin in stage 1. Pat Donegal was another to report a spin. Gwyndaf Evans reckoned he was a bit rusty to start with but his times are pretty good. Conor Curley was also going well in his new Escort. Guy Woodcock in the ex McKinstry Escort Super 2000 had a spin and a stall in stage 1, Guy looking super fit having lost 5 stone!

Early news from the C2R2s is that Jason Pritchard and his co driver George Gwynn crashed heavily on stage 1, both OK. The car is damaged but hoping to be repaired for the second leg of the Citroens tomorrow.

More news later: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net

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