RALLY NEWS NO.2 End of Molls Gap/Sunday/09.15

UNOFFICIAL LEADEROARD AFTER STAGE 1 MOLLS GAP
1st (7) John & Christy Farrell (Escort RS) 10.39
2nd (6) Martin Freestone/Chris Heyes (Escort RS) 10.46
(15) Nick Whale/Kieron Patterson (Porsche) 10.46
4th (1) Dessie Nutt/Liz Jordan (Porsche) 10.55
5th (20) Martin Ward/Linda Conroy (Opel Manta A) 11.06
(30) Richard Gower/Carl Williamson (Porsche) 11.06
7th (3) Steve Perez/Peter Scott (Porsche) 11.08
(14) Sean Tracey/Andrew Bushe (BMW Alpina) 11.08
9th (12) David STokes/Stephen Bennett (Escort RS) 11.11
10th (16) Mike Doody/Keith Moriarty (Mini) 11.13

Although the first couple of miles of Molls Gap were damp, most of the stage was dry with good visibility and speeds were high. First on the road, Dessie Nutt, commented at stage finish "Never felt so much grip and of course it is smoother in places, there could be a lot more to come on the second run". Dessie, 5 times winner of this rally, went on to say "We had a puncture just on the run up to the stage start and had a real rush to get the wheel changed, which was a bit unsettling and we missed a few gears early on". 

John Keatley was 2nd on the road, but unfortunately his Porsche stopped at the bridge before Ladies View, smoke reportedly wisping out of the engine bay. This left British Historic Champion Steve Perez next up in his VK Porsche, Steve commented at stage finish "I'm happy with that time". Drexel Gillespie is running No.4 in his re-shelled Lotus Cortina, and the Templepatrick man set a respectable enough time of 11.16. Philip Wylie at 5 had a slowish run, reporting his MGB handling a bit like a boat, but happy to get through the stage having crashed on Molls Gap last year. 

As expected the big battle for Post Historic honours is between John Farrell and Martin Freestone in their respective Escorts. Neither driver reporting any major problem. 

Further stories included - Kevin Flanagan in the Mini Cooper reporting low oil pressure. Kevin is normally seen co-driving, but is behind the wheel this time and set quite a good time of 11.31. 
Some more times ….Adrian Kermode in the Porsche 11.37. Adrian was passed by Ray Cunningham in the Mini on the stage. There was some confusion about Ray's finish time, provisionally we have it down at the moment as 11.17. Stephen Hall in the Triumph TR4 did 11.45. Mervyn Johnston in the Mini Cooper 11.22. Chris Green in the Lotus Cortina 11.30. George Tracey 11.25. Liam Sheehan 11.37. Barry Duggan said "Really enjoyed that"…and set a time of 11.24. 
CLASSIC SECTION: John Moynihan was fastest on 9.39. James O'Sullivan 2nd on 9.54. Kieran O'Neill in the Kadett 3rd on 10.02 and Jim McRae 4th in the Porsche 10.06. Pat Donegan 10.08. Camillus Bradley 10.16. When Moynihan's fabulous Mk2 Escort came to a halt, co driver Paul Nagle reported a massive 6th gear slide past the old disused pub, while John himself said "We had a great run, I'm very happy, Paul is very clear on the notes". Kieran O'Neill said "Moynihan has just blown me away, but at least I'm here". Jim McRae reported sore wrists and arms because of the vibration and bumps coming through the steering of the mighty Porsche. Drivers in trouble included - Peter Kelly with 2 nearside punctures. Kevin O'Donoghue with a rear wheel puncture sustained at the gap. More news later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net