1^st (16) Kevin Lynch/Martina McNicholl (Subaru WRC) 1.31.4

2^nd (4) Maurice Gass/Declan McKeown (Subaru WRC) 1.31.6

3^rd (9) Denis Biggerstaff/Robin McCandless (6R4) 1.32.6

4^th (2) Kenny McKinstry/Noel Orr (Subaru WRC) 1.32.7

5^th (3) Eugene Donnelly/Barry Watt (Subaru WRC) 1.33.0

6^th (1) Patrick Snijers/Willie McKee (Subaru WRC) 1.33.3

7^th (7) Kevin Barrett/Barry Goodman (Subaru WRC) 1.34.6

8^th (5) Ollie O'Donovan/Conor Bruton (Subaru WRC) 1.36.0

(12) Glenn Allen/Brian McCracken (Escort WRC) 1.36.0

10^th (14) Gary White/Dominic Carson (Esc.Cos) 1.36.3

Belgian driver Patrick Snijers said before the start of the rally that the grip level would be patchy, and as the drizzle increased here on this Triton Showers Lurgan Park event that’s the way it turned out for most of the top drivers, with caution being the buzz word. Snijers said after his opening run "I was afraid to commit too much, next time it will be better". Rally favourite and 9 times winner, Kenny McKinstry said "Very slippy under braking, particularly at the end of the big straight, and the chicanes were a bit faster than I thought they would be". Eugene Donnelly, 3^rd on the road, commented "I was being seriously cautious".

It was a surprise then, or maybe not, to see the 16^th seed Kevin Lynch setting fastest time. Kevin never afraid to use his Impreza WRC to the maximum. He just smiled when it was pointed out he had fastest time. Second fastest Maurice Gass reported all well. While 3^rd quickest Denis Biggerstaff reported "I didn’t really charge".

Further stories from that first stage included – Ollie O’Donovan commenting "I was braking too early everywhere". Triton Showers man Kevin Barrett reported that his Impreza brakes were far from set right, but still set a good time.

Niall McShea was the fastest of the gpn cars so far, with a time of 1.38.8. Dickie Curran on 1.39.7, Niall saying "Went fine but the brakes were not warmed up". Trevor Moore had a spin and lost quite a few seconds. Glenn Allen made a wrong tyre choice and Donie O’Sullivan, with a time of 1.37.2, said "At least we’ve no tree bark on the car!"

Main changes from the entry list as published in the very fine event programme included – Niall Maguire non starting because of a family bereavement. Eugene Donnelly now has Barry Watt co driving. Willie Fannin is non starting. Glen Wilson has changed from a Peugeot to a McKinstry F2 RS2000 Maxi. Jonathan Armstrong comes in at 41 in his Nova. James Wylie at 42 in his Escort. Kenny Gass at 43 in an Escort.

More news later.

BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.reallynews.net