UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 17 Fanad
1st (8) Sam Moffett/James O`Reilly (Impreza WRC) 1.56.46.4
2nd (3) Derek McGarrity/James McKee (Focus WRC) 1.57.25.3
3rd (7) Seamus Leonard/Paul McLaughlin (Impreza WRC) 1.58.40.0
4th (6) Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Focus WRC) 1.58.43.1
5th (1) Garry Jennings/Neil Doherty (Impreza WRC) 1.59.21.8
6th (4) Darragh O`Riordan/Tony McDaid (Fiesta WRC) 1.59.49.3
7th John O`Donnell 8th Stephen Wright 9th Joe McGonigle 10th Seamus Heron
UNOFFICIAL NATIONAL L/BOARD AFTER STAGE 17 Fanad
1st (16) Manus Kelly/Donal Barrett (Escort) 2.00.58.7
2nd (17) Gary McPhillips/Paul Sheridan (Escort) 2.00.59.7
3rd (19) Frank Kelly/Stephen Quinn (Escort) 2.02.13.6
4th (34) Adrian Hetherington/Gary Nolan (Escort) 2.02.33.1
5th (21) Damien Gallagher/Mac Walsh (Escort) 2.02.39.8
6th (42) Daniel Conaghan/Terence Magee (Escort) 2.03.39.3
7th Paul Reid 8th Martin McGee 9th Paddy Kiernan 10th Camillus Bradley
With conditions rapidly drying many of the top drivers found their wet weather tyres starting to lose grip through the Fanad Head stage. Derek McGarrity was fastest in his Focus WRC from Sam Moffett over Fanad and Derek was also fastest on Atlantic Drive.
Sam Moffett who is doing a fantastic job to lead this rally commented after Fanad Head. `In fairness I am trying very hard to keep my concentration. The tyres went off on Fanad but it is probably the same for everybody`. Derek McGarrity said. `This car is fantastic, if I could only get the b……...g gear change to work right. I am driving my nuts off but there is no launch control and half way through most stages I have to switch to a manual gear change. Then I am carrying too much speed in places trying not to change gear.` Seamus Leonard has gone really hard over the last few stages to move into 3rd ahead of Donagh Kelly. Donagh did not get into the rhythm on Atlantic Drive but then the tyres went off in Fanad.
Garry Jennings is certainly not gaining any ground this morning, possibly losing it a little. Garry`s head would appear to be down following that crippling penalty this morning. Darragh O`Riordan has managed to squeeze into 6th place, more because John O`Donnell is in trouble than anything else. Darragh`s co driver Tony McDaid said they had a bit of a go on Fanad, but the suspension on the little Fiesta WRC is so stiff they found bumps they did not know existed. John O`Donnell`s problem is down to the throttle jamming open on his Subaru. The car has been in the hedge a couple of times and John said. `We are lucky to get away as light as we did`.
The lead of Group N has now passed to Stephen Wright who is up to 8th o/a following Martin Doherty`s retirement when his Lancer engine cried enough on Fanad. In the National Rally Manus Kelly has squeezed ahead of Gary McPhillips. Manus` Escort seems to be running very hot but that has not slowed him one jot. Gary McPhillips` Escort is suffering a cracked manifold but Gary said `In no way is that an excuse, Manus is going very well`. Frank Kelly has turned in some cracking times to move up to 3rd in the National Rally.
Reminder: The Topaz Donegal Rally sponsorship is coming to and end and the official merchandise agents C&M Embroidery are having a big sale today at the finish of all the Topaz Donegal gear.
More news later: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net (with thanks to
Michael & Zoe Patterson) *Follow RallyNews on Twitter @Pacenotes or @Real_RallyNews
