UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 7 Boheragh

1^st (1) Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Impreza WRC) 56.16.8

2^nd (4) Tapio Laukkanen/Ilka Riipinen (Impreza WRC) 57.47.5

3^rd (6) Jari-Matti Latvala/Miika Antila (Focus WRC) 58.43.2

4^th (3) Derek McGarrity/Dermot O'Gorman (Impreza WRC) 59.08.6

5^th (5) Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Impreza WRC) 59.24.3

6^th (2) Jonny Milner/Nicky Beech (Corolla WRC) 59.56.1

7^th (10) Gwyndaf Evans/Claire Mole (MG ZR) 1.00.29.6

8^th (11) Kris Meeke/Dave Senior (Corsa) 1.00.50.8

9^th (12) Maurice Gass/Andrew Cullen (Impreza WRC) 1.00.54.9

10^th (22) Leon Pesticcio/Tim Sturla (Punto) 1.00.59.0

11^th (17) Dougi Hall/Steve Egglestone (Lancer) 1.01.11.6

12^th (15) Roy White/Greg Shinnors 9Lancer N) 1.01.43.0

Familiarity breeds……….overnight Group N leader Seamus Leonard has disappeared on this, his home stage Boheragh, on the outskirts of Omagh. Cause as yet unknown, but there was a hole in the hedge not long after the start of the stage, and then Seamus’ Lancer was spotted pulled in at a gateway near his own house.

The situation at the front of this Ulster Rally remained more or less unchanged from the overnight positions – Andrew Nesbitt was fastest through the 7.5 mile stage with a time of 6.27.3. Tapio Laukkanen was 2^nd fastest with 6.30.1. Jonny Milner 3^rd fastest with 6.33.9. Pirelli British Champion and current points leader Jonny Milner admitted he was far too conservative through the Friday stages and said this morning "I have to get my finger out, the stage was spot on, feels good". Rally leader and first on the road Andrew Nesbitt said "It was very slippy in places with the early morning deew, there were pockets of mist and we did a bit work over the jumps".

As the sun continued to rise over the beautiful Co. Tyrone countryside Tapio Laukkanen was next up, and he said "No problems, slippy, not that bad". Jari-Matti Latvala commented "Everything good, we drive sensibly".

In the Super 1600 category Kris Meeke was fastest over that first Saturday stage by just .1 of a second from Gwyndaf Evans, with Leon Pesticcio 3^rd fastest. Garry Jennings, running well down the order following road penalties yesterday after a gearbox change, 4^th fastest, well on the pace. Just a few seconds slower than the others. Gwyndaf commented "Still slippy patches, few bad bumps in there". Kris Meeke said "We picked slick tyres, I had to really watch it, it would snap suddenly, but I think they’re the right tyres for the next stage". Ryan Champion had a bit of good luck for a change, well sort of good luck, his Puma broke a drive shaft on the way to Omagh, not in the stage.

New Group N leader Roy White reports his centre differential still tugging. Andrew Stewart is now 2^nd in gpN, Dickie Curran 3^rd. Dickie’s son Michael did not get re-started this morning after his delays yesterday, and we don’t think that Dermot Hanafin in the Fitz Samuel Insurance gpN Subaru got going this morning either, following his Friday delays.

Some overnight class leaders included – Shaun Gallagher taking the lead of the Peugeot 206 Super Cup contenders as well as class A6. Shaun just ahead of Gareth MacHale, with Catalan driver Joan Roca 3^rd. Joan is in a steep learning curve on his first visit to the Northern Ireland stages, and appeared out of stage 6 last night with large lumps of Armagh countryside sticking out of the side of his Peugeot. But he had a broad grin on his face and was really enjoying it! Norwegian driver Marcus Foss led cl.N3 in his Nissan Almera. Interestingly, Marcus has rally legend John Haugland supervising. Gabriel Martin led cl.7 and was also the best of the Ford Ireland Focus championship contenders. Oliver Stanley was 2^nd. Lucky Whitford led class A5 from the similar Micra of Jonathan Patterson (our Jody!). Harry Cathcart led cl.N1 in his Swift. More news from service. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net