On the fast sweeping roads of Lough Henney Craig Breen clocked up his first fastest stage time of the day, albeit by only 0.1 of a second from Esapekka Lappi. Breen`s Peugeot is looking a bit second hand following another rear screen smashing on Hamilton`s Folly plus some accident damage, but he certainly seems to be going at unabated speed. Craig did remark that he is compromising on his tyre choice and it is taking quite a long time to heat them up on the stages. Esapekka Lappi from Finland said at stage finish. `We had a good stage. We have good rhythm and it is easy to drive fast`.
Robert Barrable dropped a few seconds on Hamilton`s Folly to Sam Moffett but then pulled 3s back through stage 8. Robert said. `I don`t understand why I am giving time away on Hamilton`s Folly`. Sam Moffett reported a big moment over gravel on that stage 8. Neil Simpson said that stage 8 just did not click for him but he is still lying just outside the top 6 ahead of Josh Moffett. Josh is starting to feel tired and does not want to push too hard this evening. He wants to be fresh for the Saturday leg. Robert Woodside is settling in well to his new Lancer following his long break from the sport.
In the National Rally in stage 8 Garry Jennings was upset about a start countdown mix up but still set fastest time by 4s from Declan Boyle with Donagh Kelly a couple of seconds in arrears. Boyle still feels his Subaru is down on power. Donagh Kelly lost a few seconds with an overshoot. Eugene Donnelly reported a lot of gravel on the stage and Kenny McKinstry had a huge moment on gravel as well. Declan Gallagher is still fastest of the two wheel drive category and is just outside the top 6 and battling with Peter Taylor in his new 2.4 Fiesta. Frank Kelly is in back axle trouble and struggling to get the car through the last few Friday stages and into service. Fintan McGrady crashed his Escort into a very stout tree in stage 5 and retired. Desi Henry is now well into the top 10 in his recently acquired Impreza WRC, but lost a few seconds when the glare from the setting sun obscured his vision. Rory Byrne in the Modern Tyres Lancer is going well and was 26th o/a after stage 7. Highest placed Historic runner was Cork man Denis Moynihan in his Mk1 Escort then it was Ernie Graham, Stanley Orr and Drew Wylie, all in Escorts.
More news to follow: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON with thanks to Michael & Zoe Patterson www.rallynews.net *Follow RallyNews on Twitter @Pacenotes or @Real_RallyNews
