The news that Alastair Fisher/Gordon Noble have crashed their Fiesta R5 out of the lead of the rally and possibly out of contention on the Clonakilty Blackpudding Tarmac Championship has changed the dynamics of this event. Keith Cronin commented when he reached service ‘It is a different rally now. I will have to work out the points and see what we have to do’. Alastair was leading by 0.3 of a second when he started that 4th stage, the second run over Glentane, but he got caught out on a very muddy section when the rear of his Fiesta stepped out, caught the bank and rolled over. The main thing is of course is that Alastair and Gordon are uninjured.
There is some conjecture as to whether they can rejoin the rally, but at the moment that looks unlikely. Josh and Sam Moffett are just a few points behind Keith in the Tarmac series so Keith cannot afford to relax. There are many permutations – for example if Sam Moffett was to win this rally Keith must finish in the top 3 to take the Title. Another angle is that Alastair Fisher has 70 points on the board, 62 when dropped scores are taken into account, so if Keith Cronin, Sam Moffett, Josh Moffett or Stephen Wright all do not finish, Alastair takes the Title!! It would give you a sore head trying to work out the possibilities! No doubt though the sorest head of all is Alastair Fisher’s having retired from the rally after putting so much into it.
The top International competitors did not get times for stage 4 and the top Nationals also got interrupted times so Eugene Meegan is still shown as the National leader by 4s from Tommy Doyle. Brian Brogan is 3rd National a further 16s back. However the compressed air guns were red hot in the Brogan camp here at service as the mechanics toiled manfully to replace the crown wheel and pinion of the Donegal man’s Escort. There were teeth missing from the crown wheel and it was rattling badly on the road section into Fermoy service.
On the WRC Tour de Corse Ogier still leads from Neuville. Craig Breen is 5th. Elfyn Evans is driving a brilliant rally and is 9th in his R5 Fiesta. Kris Meeke has retired, his Citroen having collided with a tree.
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