Main news from stage 4 is that Declan Boyle was not only fastest but he also beat the bogey time for the stage by almost 5s. A twist to the situation is that Declan`s Subaru refused to fire up at stage start and he went into the stage several minutes beyond schedule.
UNOFFICIAL NAT. L/BOARD AFTER STAGE 4
1st (8) Declan Gallagher/Ryan Moore (Starlet rwd) 26.12.7
2nd (18) Brian Brogan/Damien McGettigan (Escort) 26.51.0
3rd (82) John Lynch/Thomas Lynch (Escort) 27.18.9
4th Liam Howlett 5th Mickey Conlon 6th Stephen Greaney
UNOFFICIAL INT. L/BOARD AFTER STAGE 5
1st (1) Declan & Brian Boyle (Impreza WRC() 30.29.1
2nd (4) Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Focus WRC) 30.39.3
3rd (3) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (BMW Mini WRC) 31.14.9
4th (5) Sam Moffett/Karl Atkinson (Fiesta WRC) 31.21.5
5th (7) Josh Moffett/John Rowan (Fiesta WRC) 31.31.8
6th (33) Pauric Duffy/Kevin Glynn (Fiesta R5+\\) 33.14.0 (tbc)
News from stage 5 is that Garry Jennings/Rory Kennedy have gone off the road on a gravelly square right near the end of the stage. Their Subaru sustained a puncture and a little damage. It would appear that they have lost too much time to make it worth continuing. Declan Boyle beat the bogey on stage 5 as did Donagh Kelly. Otherwise no dramas amongst the top runners. Declan Gallagher continues to set fastest times in the National section. Brian Brogan was 2nd in the Nationals but may have lost a few seconds due to a transmission vibration in his Escort. No times as yet for John & Thomas Lynch who were 3rd in their Escort.
Ernie Graham, co driven by his son Will in his Escort, leads the Historic Rally by 20s from Gareth Lloyd/Gwynfor Jones, also in an Escort. Joe Connolly and his son John are 3rd in their Escort ahead of John Spiers (Porsche). Luke McCarthy/David Hogan also in a Porsche are 5th.
Some further stories – Dean Raftery is up to 7th o/a in the Mini WRC and is swapping times with Eugene Donnelly. Jonny Greer/Kirsty Riddick in the new Citroen DS3R5 are improving by the stage, up to 8th o/a and Jonny says there is much more to come in this new car. Brendan Cumiskey/Ronan O`Kane continue to lead GpN Class 4 in their Impreza.
More news later: BRIAN & LIZ & MICHAEL PATTERSON (with thanks to Phillis & Lauria Sheil for the lovely lunch!) www.rallynews.net *Follow RallyNews on Twitter & Facebook @Pacenotes or @Real_RallyNews