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| Lakeland Stages |
| RALLY NEWS No.3 - Belcoo Service - Saturday @ 12:30:17 |
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RALLY NEWS NO.3 Belcoo Service/Saturday
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 3 Big Dog
1st (2) Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Lancer N) 13.44
2nd (1) Kenny McKinstry/Kenny Hull (Impreza WRC 13.46
3rd (5) Stuart Biggerstaff/Anthony Nestor (Impreza WRC) 13.50
4th (6) Ian Cochrane/Thomas Nugent (Lancer N) 13.52
5th (17) Pat O'Connell/Mark Wiley (Lancer N) 13.56
6th (20) Enda McNulty/Paul Sheridan (Impreza) 14.00
7th (14) Vivian & Paul Hamill (Corolla WRC) 14.02
8th (3) Neil McCance/Jonny Hart (Lancer N) 14.05
9th (9) Frank Kelly/Sean Ferris (Escort) 14.06
(10) Stephen & Suzanne Wright (Lancer) 14.06
Donagh Kelly and his co driver Kevin Flanagan have certainly taken this Lakeland Stages Rally by the scruff of its neck, their Lancer surging into the lead on stage 3. On stages 1 and 2 Kelly and Kenny McKinstry were equal on time. On stage 3 Kelly was 2s faster than McKinstry. Donagh said here at Belcoo service. “It is tight going, the stages are very loose on the top with very little grip”. Following the first stage we reported that McKinstry had brake troubles with his Subaru. Kenny reckons now it was simply down to the brake pads not being bedded in and once he got through the first few stage 2 corners he felt the brake pedal firm again and he was able to go flat out. Stuart Biggerstaff in 3rd place feels that he has damaged a steering arm at the front of his Subaru and also the gearbox temperature has risen to over 90 degrees, and it should really be just under 70. Also feeling the heat is Martin Cairns, His Subaru went on fire towards the end of stage 3. He managed to get the blaze out and has lost little time.
Fisher Engineering man Ian Cochrane has gone really well this morning despite bending a steering arm against a chicane bale. This should be sorted at service. On the other hand Neil McCance admitted that it is just not flowing for him as is reflected in his 8th o/a position. Pat O’Connell is finding these Fermanagh Lakeland stages with all the crests and jumps a totally different ball game from his Tipperary home territory. Still, current National Forest Rally Champion Pat is doing a sterling job to hold 5th o/a.
Frank Kelly continues to lead the 2 wheel drive category. Frank did get the feeling that the nature of the stages seems to be sapping the power from his Escort. Shane McGirr in his 2wd Starlet is chasing Kelly’s blue Escort hard but McGirr admitted here at service. “That man Frank is real hard work. He seems to get 2 or 3 seconds on every stage!” James Gillen was seeded at 8 in his Subaru but due to a mechanical problem did not make the start of the first stage. Vivian Hamill said of his Corolla WRC. “It’s some bit of kit”. Vivian lost a second or two at the end of stage 2 with a puncture to the rear of the Toyota but still holds 7th o/a. Liam Regan slid his 4wd Peugeot into the trees at the stage 3 chicane. He lost a few seconds and also broke the windscreen of the car. Ray Brammer was having anti lag trouble with his Subaru and his total now is 14.33. Trevor Ferguson is struggling to get to grips with these stages. He is braking just a little early and the second or two lost here and there has dropped him down to 21st.
More news later: BRIAN & LIZ & MICHAEL PATTERSON www.rallynews.net
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