1st (20) Wesley Patterson/Johnny Baird (Escort Mk2) 1.32.59.8
2nd (25) Tom Flaherty/Patrick Curley (Escort Mk2) 1.34.08.6
3rd (37) Jason McSweeney/Stephen Quinn (Lancer) 1.34.29.8
4th (26) Patrick McHugh/Pauric O`Donnell (Escort Mk2) 1.34.54.6
5th (39) Ross Marshall/Dave Robson (Escort Mk2) 1.36.14.0
In stage 12 Garry Jennings was fastest, 7s up on Keith Cronin, with Alastair Fisher a further 13s back. Desi Henry should have been next through but he crashed his Skoda near the end of the stage and blocked the road. This meant that the following cars had to take Fisher`s time meaning that Sam Moffett and remainder of the top 10 were denied the chance of improving their positions. There was a change in the National Rally as well with Eugene Meegan`s BMW reportedly parked behind the tapes at a junction and minus some bodywork at the front. For the time being this leaves Wesley Patterson leading the National Rally by 1m17s from local man Tom Flaherty.
On the 2nd run over Lough Cutra torrential rain descended and made the going difficult for the drivers, particularly rally leader Garry Jennings who had wiper problems in his Subaru. Garry was still fastest from Keith Cronin with Alastair Fisher and Sam Moffett each 10s behind Cronin. Keith told us. `I am getting into my stride now, into the groove. In the beginning I was not comfortable but I am now`. Alastair Fisher in the Modern Tyres supported Fiesta R5 found the ever-increasing deluge made it very difficult, a half spin not helping his cause. He did have a good enough run though but thinks it is a matter of getting the car to the finish of the rally now. Sam Moffett said something similar. It was Sam who was first on Desi Henry`s accident and that was a bit of a wake up call and he also feels it is time to think about getting to the end of the rally. Roy White had a good run through SS13, he is a lot happier with the car now the new suspension has made a big difference. Josh Moffett reported no problems through stage 13. Joe McGonigle had another very good time but remains 8th. Aaron MacHale dropped approximately 40s to Brendan Cumiskey which takes the pressure off the Dundalk man.
Following his suspension woes yesterday with his R5 Welshman Tomas Davies has rejoined today under Rally 2 and reports the Fiesta handling much better, although he is catching cars, and it would be a good test for his next rally. Paul Rowley who made the trip from the USA to compete here in Galway and is running in Rally 2 had a lucky escape in stage 11 when his Skoda clipped a boulder at a jump near the end of the stage. John O`Sullivan in his Civic (No.88) had to stop behind an Escort accident this morning, otherwise going well. Ross Forde spun twice this morning on the opening stage but going OK now. Tom Flaherty continues to set good times and remarked. `Much better today, real auto-cross stuff yesterday`. Ed Twomey & Sean Hassett had a spin or an overshoot on each of the first 3 stages yesterday, Clonakilty Blackpudding man Twomey then settled down and finished the day unscathed. He also had a clean run this morning with no excursions. Ed also said. `Fair play to Galway MC for keeping the rally running yesterday in very difficult conditions``.
Finally many thanks to Tom Gahan`s family – Rosie, Aoife & Ciara for the delicious lunch.
More news later: BRIAN & LIZ & MICHAEL & ZOE PATTERSON www.rallynews.net *Follow RallyNews on Twitter & Facebook @Pacenotes or @Real_RallyNews
