1^st (4) Tapio Laukkanen/Ilka Riipinen (Impreza WRC) 1.37.59.9

2^nd (6) Jari-Matti Latvala/Miika Antila (Focus WRC) 1.39.40.3

3^rd (3) Derek McGarrity/Dermot O'Gorman (Impreza WRC) 1.39.48.2

4^th (2) Jonny Milner/Nicky Beech (Corolla WRC) 1.40.20.5

5^th (5) Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Impreza WRC) 1.40.21.4

6^th (10) Gwyndaf Evans/Claire Mole (MG ZR) 1.42.16.6

7^th (11) Kris Meeke/Dave Senior (Corsa) 1.42.25.7

8^th (12) Maurice Gass/Andrew Cullen (Impreza WRC) 1.44.10.4

The above are all the times in so far – unconfirmed reports are that Leon Pesticcio has blocked stage 12 with his Punto following a bit of an accident. Happily with no injuries we believe. Rescue crews have been in and are now re-forming at the start of the stage.

The story at the front of the rally is that Derek McGarrity was fastest through stage 10, Jonny Milner quickest through stages 11 and 12. Tapio Laukkanen at the front, and also Latvala in 2^nd, are both playing the percentage game at the minute, holding on to their positions. Tapio said "We had good tyres for the first stage after service, stage 10, where it was muddy. But then they were wrong for the next 2 which were bone dry. I drive steady and try to finish". Jari-Matti Latvala reported "Driving very carefully now".

Following the retirement of Andrew Nesbitt, and earlier Eamonn Boland, and with Eugene Donnelly non starting, there was a feeling that perhaps McGarrity had the Tarmac championship sewn up. However, this is not so. Austin MacHale could still theoretically win if Derek non finished here and on the Cork 20. Derek said here at service "The game now is to get past Latvala, I hope!" Austin reported from regroup In here at Gortin Masonic Hall "I was too cautious in the Mary Gray stage, over the mud, lifted too much, dropped about 20s". Jonny Milner’s co driver Nicky Beech told us "We’re pushing on to get in front of Austin, try and build up a cushion, we’re going at a fairly hefty pace now, but it is still easier said than done. Conditions are better in the stages, more predictable. Austin is registered for the British championship, and we want the extra points".

Further to Andrew Nesbitt’s retirement. Andrew reported "We cut across the grass on a crest, hit a rock which we didn’t know was there, ripped a tyre off, but the car was OK, but then slid into a ditch down the road about 10 miles an hour, and couldn’t get out. It was just one of those things, I only came out on the rally to play, wasn’t taking it too seriously".

Maurice Gass in the Millview Fuels Impreza WRC had intercom problems through stages 10 and 11, Maurice relying on hand signals from co driver Andrew Cullen. Maurice saying "We’re struggling to be honest, but still here".

In the battle for Super 1600 Kris Meeke is trying everything he knows, went on slick tyres and took a chance over the muddy section on stage 10, and although he was off the road still managed to beat Gwyndaf by 5s. Then the Welshman responded on 11 and 12 and was a split second faster on each. Kris said "I’m going as hard as I can, there’s nothing in it, but Gwyndaf’s got his race face on now!" Leon Pesticcio confirmed now as crashed off the road near the start of stage 12, his Punto got out of phase on bumps, went wide and hit a couple of banks. Dougie Hall hit a bank on stage 10 then a telegraph pole, big bodywork damage but no mechanical damage. Still not times for the cars caught up behind Pesticcio, but Dougie will possibly now be in the top 10.

Roy White continues to lead gpN although his Lancer is starting to use a lot of water. Andrew Stewart is presumably still 2^nd in gpN although he lost a few seconds, wrong tyre choice stages 10 and 11.

In the Ford Ireland Focus championship Colm Murphy has moved into the lead. Colm had power steering problems on day 1, borrowed bits from the retired John Foley, got some road penalties but all is now well and he is flying. Series leader Oliver Stanley is 2^nd, Gabriel Martin 3^rd with a misfiring engine. In the Peugeot 206 Super Cup last news we had was that Shaun Gallagher was leading from Joan Roca. Gareth MacHale slipped back slightly following a stage 9 problem. Aisling Dooris retired last night when her Swift suffered a broken drive shaft. Neil Burgess in the Mini going out on the same section. More news to follow. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON