UNOFFICIAL NAT. L/BOARD AFTER SS4
1st (18) Eugene Meegan/Sarah Whelan (BMW) 43.03.8
2nd (19) Jack Newman/Donal Lennon (Escort) 43.33.3
3rd (20) Ed Murphy/John McCarthy (Escort) 43.53.2
4th (21) John Bonner/Leon Jordan (Escort) 44.41.7
5th (24) Charlie Hickey/Johnny Hickey (Escort) 44.55.3
6th (31) Jason Ryan/Peter Falvey (Starlet) 45.10.0
PLEASE NOTE: CoC Anthony O’Connor felt he had no alternative but to stop stage 4 on safety grounds as spectators were straying on to the road and not obeying the official’s instructions. Anthony will not hesitate to do the same again if spectators do not co-operate with the officials.
Rally leader Garry Jennings was fastest through stage 4 but by just 1s from Donagh Kelly with Sam Moffett 3rd a further 2s back. Alastair Fisher was 4th fastest, a small spin not helping his cause. Donagh Kelly commented. ‘We are trying hard, pushing, and on that last stage we had the back of the car in the ditch at one point’ As the mechanics fitted new brake pads to his Focus WRC Donagh continued. ‘This afternoon’s stages are more flowing with some uphill sections which should suit our car better. I am super impressed with the speed of the likes of Sam Moffett and Alastair Fisher in their R5 cars.’ Sam Moffett commented. ‘We are pushing hard, trying to keep up with Alastair.’ Latest news on Josh Moffett is that his team is trying to get the car out of the stage and will try to carry out repairs so that Josh can rejoin under Rally 2 for Sunday.
Alan Ring lost quite a few seconds in stage 4 when his previously immaculate Fiesta R5 crashed through a fence at a house and landed in a garden. The lady of the house was extremely agitated and was adamant that they should leave immediately! Alan engaged reverse…and left. He is now wondering would someone like to go back and ask the lady if she would return his spoiler! He went on to say that otherwise the car is fine but he is still having to adjust his thinking for the braking.
David Fleming put his Civic off the road on stage 1 and bent the steering but is going well again. Marty Gallagher is lying 2nd in R2 in his Fiesta R2 and along with may drivers found the wet and dry conditions this morning a bit of a problem. Joe Connolly commented about the number of beautiful cars he has seen stuck in ditches this morning, testimony to the difficult conditions. Barry Meeke crunched the front corner of his Fiesta on a stage 3 square left when he got on the power too early, he then had a spin in stage 4. Barry said he has a bit of work to do getting used to the car but he is enjoying the rally. David Guest continues to lead Group N with brothers Pat and Gus Kearney 2nd and 3rd in their Lancers. The Clonmel brothers have the slogan ‘Inspire Healthy Ireland’ on the side of both their cars. Their father Gus told us that the family is raising 3 million dollars to help the iniative of Professor Donald O’Shea of University College, Dublin, to help the healthy of young people North and South. Early news from the BRC Pirelli Rally is that the top drivers Evans, Bogie, Wilson and Ahlin have all beaten the stage 1 bogey time.
More news later: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON & MICHAEL & ZOE PATTERSON www.rallynews.net *Follow Rally News on Twitter and Facebook @Pacenotes or @Real_RallyNews
