National Category 1st McKenna 21.59.3: 2nd McPhillips 22.17.9: 3rd Wilton 22.20.5: 4th Bogie 22.21.5: 5th Kelly 22.22.7; 6th Collins 22.32.5
Everything seemed fine in the Tim McNulty camp, with the engineers proceeding with a routine service here in Carndonagh, but when Tim prepared to leave the car wouldn’t start. Suddenly there was panic, the clock ticked and normal service was resumed, Tim and co-driver Paul Kiely were 4 minutes late, equating to 60 secs stage time. In stage 3 Gareth was 9 secs faster than Tim anyway, as Tim’s Subaru suffered a spin, and all of a sudden from being a close 2nd, Tim is back 7th, with a lot of work over the next three days. Gareth MacHale pronounced himself much happier with his Focus, saying that the car was a lot more stable at high speed after his engineers stiffened the rear suspension by 1.5 clicks. Gareth was dubious about going harder, but praised his engineer for the good work. Aaron MacHale had a problem at the start of the stage when he stalled his Focus. Seamus Leonard is running considerably out of position after the gearbox jammed at the start of stage 3. He also survived a stage 2 puncture with little time loss. Seamus was able to reboot the gearbox software. PJ McDermott feels he is getting back in the swing of things following a long rally lay-off, as does Damien Tourish who is picking up the pace. Another making a come-back is young Toni Kelly in her Right Price Cars backed Civic, and Toni is also picking up the pace. Robert Barrable/Damien Connelly are still a solid 11th o/all in their C2R2 max and leading the Citroen Racing Trophy from Shane Buckly.
Keith Cronin’s Lancer has had a turbo change, but seemed far from ok through stage 3. Keith told us at stage finish, “ No boost, I’m having to drive far too hardjust to get the car to go”. Danny MacBride had a broken back-plate on his Lancer’s differential and was lucky to make service. Jonny Greer felt he had a better run that time.
In the National section – Wesley patterson had some pipes come adrift on his Escort’s manifold, while Manus kelly reckons his Escort back axle has about had it – doesn’t think he will make Malin. Daniel McKenna was again fast Escort through stage 3, good enough for 5th o/a fastest, almost 6 secs faster than Gary McPhillips. Gary’s Escort was fitted with a new gearbox at service.
More News Later…. Brian and Michael Patterson.
