First on the road through stage 9, Carnhill, Gareth MacHale managed most of the stage in the dry but when he arrived at stage finish, the skies opened once again. Gareth did encounter some rain in the middle of the stage but still set fastest time, just over one second up on Eugene Donnelly with Tim McNulty 3rd fastest and Eamon Boland 4th, although only 4 seconds down on the rally leader. Main incidents amongst the top crews were that Alastair Fisher’s Lancer stopped in the stage with a mechanical problem. Daniel Doherty lost around 50 seconds when his Subaru spun into a ditch. There was no real damage. Daniel’s incident did hold up PJ McDermott for a few seconds.
When the cars reached stage finish, some comments form the drivers included – Gareth MacHale “We chose to go the same route as everyone else this time, a medium compound cut slick so we shouldn’t be at any disadvantage.” Alastair Fisher is reported stopped after the farm yard although no signs of damage were visible and co-driver Barry McNulty has just been in touch to say that they think the centre of the clutch has blown. Shaun Gallagher recorded another fastest GpN time, 3s faster than Seamus Leonard. Damien Tourish has now come into 3rd in GpN despite the anti-lag not working properly on his Lancer. Glenn Allen now has his Corolla WRC in full fettle and he is making a real charge. He was 15th overnight and is not up into 10th.
Wesley Patterson was fastest of the Escorts through SS9 but Rodney Wilton still leads overall with Wesley now up into 2nd, Gary McPhillip’s into 3rd. Maurice Moffett 4th in his Starlet.
Snippets from earlier – Garry Jennings got going after a big time loss when a spectating mechanic bolted the suspension back into the car – it transpired that Garry didn’t crash, a wishbone came loose and a driveshaft popped out. Paddy O’Reilly retired his Escort because of mechanical problems. Daniel Gallagher took over the lead of class 13, when John O’Donnell stopped with a broken driveshaft. Frank Kelly had a miserable stage, with two overshoots and a flashing alternator light. Paul Barrett’s Focus developed clutch slip, going to fit a new unit at service. Seamus O’Connell went out on the road section after Carnhill when his new engine popped. Paul was 9th in the National. Conor Harvey extended his class lead, says his new Civic Type R is better by the mile. Toni Kelly 2nd in class in her Civic, and going well. The Bustard brothers were looking for clean underwear following Carnhill when the throttle stuck wide open on their Lancer. Young Daniel McKenna continues to lead class 12, and his co-driver Andrew Grennan celebrates his 21st birthday today – happy man. Early National leader Manus Kelly had a big spin on shiny tar in Carnhill – Manus now 7th in National. Craig Breen, with Kirsty Riddick co-driving, led the Fiestas after their first stage Carnhill, with Robert Barrable 2nd.
A big thank you to the rally doctor who got out of his bed early this morning to help our Liz – struck down with some sickness virus (hence the crap typing!!!) Get well soon Liz – we need you here!!
More news later – Brian and Michael Patterson and Ciara Conlan (the stand in typist!)
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