Today’s opening stage, High Glen, changed from fairly wet to very wet when the top cars arrived. Manus Kelly opened a few eyes by setting the fastest time 7.58.0 with Keith Cronin 2nd fastest on 8.07.3. Sam Moffett was the overnight leader and first on the road, and he said. ‘I took it handy, no risks’ Seamus Leonard finished the stage with grass sticking out of a front corner of his Subaru, and he admitted to hitting a bank in the stage and the steering might be slightly damaged. Keith Cronin is the man expected to dominate in the R5 category and he said ‘I took it cautiously, no chances. There is plenty left’. Further stories include: Josh Moffett had a repeat of his engine problem and dropped a few seconds. Eugene Donnelly said that he has gone back to square one. He lost his confidence in the rain and does not know the limits of the Mini WRC in these conditions. Alastair Fisher in 10th now seemed fairly subdued at the end of High Glen and he cannot really catch the cars in front, so it is a matter of keeping it altogether and seeing what Clonakilty Blackpudding Tarmac C/ship points he can achieve.
In the National Rally Frank Kelly led overnight but just did not go well on High Glen and dropped 19s to David Bogie allowing the Dumfries man into the lead. Damien Gallagher had an issue with his Escort’s rear brakes yesterday afternoon. He has managed to get new pads fitted and took it cautiously over High Glen. Declan Gallagher had a few problems with his Starlet yesterday and was off the road briefly in stage 14, so he was also cautious this morning.
Callum Devine continues to go like a train in his Opel Adam to lead his class by a long way. Callum is flying out first thing in the morning to start his recce for Ypres Rally. He did come under a bit of pressure yesterday from William Creighton but William unfortunately crashed his Peugeot out of the rally. Stephen McCann was 5th in the Nationals yesterday but damaged his Subaru radiator in S14 and he had to retire. Brian Brogan decided not to restart this morning because he had lost much time yesterday with his Escort gearbox problem.
Stages 17 and 20 today are the Fanad stages and Clerk of the Course Eamonn McGee has requested that spectators steer clear of Junction 5 as there is as Wake taking place on the approach road.
More News later: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON & MICHAEL & ZOE PATTERSON www.rallynews.net *Follow Rally News on Twitter and Facebook @Pacenotes or @Real_RallyNews Our thanks again to Patricia & team from Clonakilty Blackpudding for the great sausages!
