1^st (2) Kenny McKinstry/Noel Orr (Subaru WRC) 13.28.4

2^nd (3) Eugene Donnelly/Barry Watt (Subaru WRC) 13.33.7

3^rd (9) Denis Biggerstaff/Robin McCandless (6R4) 13.40.7

4^th (1) Patrick Snijers/Willie McKee (Subaru WRC) 13.49.8

5^th (12) Glenn Allen/Brian McCracken (Escort WRC) 13.52.8

6^th (10) Trevor Moore/Roy Wilson (Esc.Cos) 14.02.4

7^th (8) Niall McShea/Wm. Mavitty (Lancer N) 14.03.6

8^th (11) Will Nicholls/Nick Broom (Subaru WRC) 14.09.8

9^th (5) Ollie O'Donovan/Conor Bruton (Subaru WRC) 14.10.9

10^th (22) Richard Hogg/Mark Hanna (Lancer N) 14.18.1

There were no major changes through stage 7, Kenny McKinstry again fastest, by1s from his closest rival Eugene Donnelly. Denis Biggerstaff reinforced his 3^rd place with 3^rd fastest time, so status quo was maintained. Following a light shower of rain the stage was fairly slippy on the paddock side, but fairly clean on the golf course side. Belgian Patrick Snijers is still running first on the road, he reported no real problems although he felt he lost a second or two at the chican, which he felt was more open than he expected. Kenny McKinstry said "Bone dry on the far side, but quite slippy over here, just had to be careful".

Eugene Donnelly was next into the service area and although his time for the stage was very good, it was immediately obvious that the Impreza was in trouble and had to be pushed into the control area. Maghera man Eugene took a second or two to tell us "Fuel pressure has gone, went in the stage towards the end". Hopefully Eugene can get the problem sorted before the 8^th and final stage.

Further down the leaderboard Will Nicholls moved ahead of Ollie O’Donovan. Will setting some nice times on his first visit to the Park. Nigel Worswick is lying just outside the top 10, but he lost a few seconds when he tried to turn the wrong way in the stage. Another just outside the top 10 is Killarney man Donie O’Sullivan. He’s another to has not been to Lurgan Park before, and indeed has never driven on the gravel before. He’s really enjoying it and is talking to McKinstry about perhaps doing one of the ANCRO rounds in the UK.

In Group N Niall McShea is looking very impressive now, setting times in the top 6 overall. Richard Hogg is 2^nd gpN. Dickie Curran 3^rd.

Keith White is leading the 2 wheel drive category by a long way – Glenn Wilson was 2^nd but we are still awaiting his time from stage 7. Garry Jennings is still having some gear selection problems, but is now well behind Keith White for the class lead.

Kevin Lynch led the rally after the first stage but he is now 13s outside 10^th place, his total 14.31.7. Kevin has been setting good times since his multiple spin stage, but on the short sharp competition of Lurgan Park had no chance of getting back into contention. More news later.

BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net