RALLY NEWS No.3 - Service Gort - Saturday @ 12:50:15
RALLYNEWS NO.3 Service/Gort/Saturday
UNOFFICIAL INT. L/BOARD AFTER SS2 CAPPACASHEEN
1st (1) Declan & Brian Boyle (Impreza WRC() 12.21.6
2nd (4) Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Focus WRC) 12.27.2
3rd (2) Garry Jennings/Rory Kennedy (Impreza WRC) 12.40.6
4th (3) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (BMW Mini WRC) 12.47.8
5th (5) Sam Moffett/Karl Atkinson (Fiesta WRC) 12.48.7
6th (7) Josh Moffett/John Rowan (Fiesta WRC) 12.58.6
UNOFFICIAL NATIONAL L/BOARD AFTER SS2
1st (8) Declan Gallagher/Ryan Moore (Starlet rwd) 13.07.1
2nd (18) Brian Brogan/Damien McGettigan (Escort) 13.35.8
3rd (21) Liam Howlett/John McGrath (Escort) 13.50.8
The times for the National category are still coming in and on the opening stage 2 later runners, John Lynch in the Escort at 82 and Ross Marshall in the Escort at 50 came into the top 6.
Meanwhile out at the front of the rally Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan were fastest through stage 2, their Focus WRC stopping the clocks 1s up on overall leader Declan Boyle. Boyle reported no problems on this fast second stage, indeed he said he had a good run. Donagh Kelly told us that he did go really well and enjoyed it. Garry Jennings was again disappointed and said. `I just do not know where I am losing the time`. Eugene Donnelly said he had almost the perfect run, but the 1600 Mini WRC does not have the legs of the 2 litre cars on this sort of territory. Sam Moffett and Josh Moffett echoed Eugene`s thoughts about the 1600 against the 2 litre. Indeed, Sam reckoned he drove the stage really well, but there he is 18s down on Donagh Kelly.
In the National category Declan Gallagher reported a major moment in the stage when his Starlet`s throttle seemed to jam wide open. Neil Pierce was the fastest class 11F car through the stage but his Civic was hampered by a lack of absolute top speed.
In the Historic category after SS1 Ernie Graham had a 4s lead over Gareth Lloyd with Joe Connolly 3rd. John Spiers his Porsche was 3rd and Luke McCarthy 5th in a similar 911. Adrian Kermode/Maurice Beckett did finish the stage but have retired the Porsche at service because of oil pump trouble. Ironically Adrian did decide to overhaul the engine at Christmas, even thought it did not really need it despite 5 seasons of rallying. John Coyle was unable to start as his Lotus Sunbeam had some mechanical problems.
Further stories – Pat O`Connell has retired his Lancer here at service because of a noise in the engine. Callum Devine retired on SS1 when his Fiesta dropped a valve on a very fast section. Dean Raftery set a time of 6.41.8 on stage 2, just 7s down on his Mini WRC team mate Eugene Donnelly. Unfortunately Dean has some road penalties following his SS1 problems when the Mini went into safe mode, possibly when an engine pipe came adrift. Dean`s total is now 14.56.9 after SS2.
In GpN Class 4 Brendan Cumiskey leads on 13.47.2 in his Subaru. Pauric Duffy is the fastest class 5 through stage 2 on 6.59.9. Jonny Greer did 7.03.8 in his new and Joe McGonigle was 7.17.1.
More news later: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON & MICHAEL www.rallynews.net *Follow RallyNews on Twitter & Facebook @Pacenotes or @Real_RallyNews
