Conditions were dry and bright for the opening stage, Topped Mountain, which runs from just outside Enniskillen towards Tempo skirting Cloghtogle Mountain. The stage is made up mostly of medium to fast corners with a few jumps then gets narrow towards the end. Last year`s Rally winner Garry Jennings was fastest and he said at stage finish. `We were on the right tyres but the car was moving around all over the place`. Second fastest was Eugene Donnelly and he reported that his McKinstry Subaru felt good. Clonakilty Black Pudding Tarmac Championship leader, Declan Boyle, reported some time loss with an overshoot and a half spin. The Donegal man went on to say that the load capacitor on the gearbox paddle shift was low on hydraulic pressure that was causing a hesitation between gear changes.
Daniel McKenna was fastest of the BRC contenders. His closest pursuer, Osian Pryce, was worried before the start that his Citroen engine was cutting out on low revs. Fortunately it went well for the young Welshman and he said at the stage finish near Tempo. `Good to get that out of the way`.
Other stories included Josh Moffett having some brake problems in the stage with his Lancer. Stephen McCann had a couple of moments with partial overshoots. Galway man Dean Raftery was getting some interference through his intercom. Jon Armstrong, who was so sensational here on the Ulster last year, but has hardly driven in anger since, was well pleased with his run, fastest of the R2 cars. Richard Tannahill`s Peugeot was suffering a flashing oil light and he was taking it cautiously, clocking a time of 9.03.7. Stephen Wright had a good run in his Killyhevlin Hotel backed Peugeot and was 12th o/a at stage finish. Calvin Beatty had a few slides early in the stage that sapped his confidence a little and his time was 8.46.7. Rory Byrne in the Modern Tyres Lancer had a decent run and recorded 8.44, Rory being a little careful as young James Byrne, the co-driver, is still learning the co-driving ropes!
Eugene Meegan was a non-starter because of a technical hitch. He was to be No.11 in his Lancer.
More news later: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON & MICHAEL www.rallynews.net *Follow RallyNews on Twitter @Pacenotes or @Real_RallyNews
