News just coming in from the end of stage 6 is that McNulty’s Subaru has damage at the front and although he dropped some time he was still 34s faster than Donnelly. Eugene’s Mini WRC also had some damage at the front and possibly a puncture. Gareth MacHale was either very late or stopped……further reports are that Gareth stopped his Focus on the road section on the way to the stage. Some more times coming show that Darren Gass is now up into 2nd after SS6 behind McNulty with Donnelly 3rd in the Mini WRC, Garry Jennings 4th.
In stage 5 McNulty was fastest by 8s from Eugene Donnelly with MacHale 3rd fastest and Darren Gass 4th. In Group N Garry Jennings was almost 10s up on Sam Moffett so Garry still leads the category from Donagh Kelly in the Airtricity Lancer.
In the National Rally Tom Flaherty was 18s faster than Daniel McKenna to move into the lead after stage 5. Daniel’s Escort has reportedly had further contact with the scenery and he stopped on the road section to blank off the oil cooler. He now appears to be on full throttle again. Ernie Graham took the lead of the Historics from John Keatley but Ray Cunningham had fastest Historic time through stage 5 so there is still a good race there. Keatley had to stop where Phillip Wylie crashed his Mk1 Escort at a chicane. Phillip McKibbin has retired his Cortina after the bottom engine pulley sheared off in SS3.
Further stories include: Richard Burke retired his Subaru from 6th place in the national rally when his gearbox cried enough. Mark Nangle retired his Impreza from the International field when the gearbox dipstick tube worked loose and oil spread on to the exhaust causing lots of smoke and panic in the car. By the time Mark worked out exactly what the problem was he was OTL.
More news later: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net (Our thanks to Martin Brady)
