|
RALLY NEWS NO.4 End of stage 4/Sunday 1.20
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 4 Mealagh Valley
1st (2) Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Floene (Focus WRC) 34.51
2nd (1) Eugene Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Fabia WRC) 35.32
3rd (3) Tim McNulty/Eugene O'Donnell (Impreza WRC) 35.35
4th (10) Denis Cronin/Helen O'Sullivan (Impreza WRC) 36.00
5th (6) Ray Breen/Andrew Purcell (Focus WRC) 36.26
6th (9) PJ McGrath/Damien Morrissey (Impreza WRC) 36.47
7th (20) Keith Cronin/Anthony O'Conaill (Lancer N) 36.50
8th (16) Kevin & Martin Kelleher (Lancer N) 37.10
9th (11) James O'Sullivan/Brian Duggan (Impreza WRC) 37.45
10th (76) Owen Murphy/Don Montgomery (Lancer N) 37.54
Tim McNulty and Eugene Donnelly were equal fastest through stage 4 with Andreas Mikkelsen 4s down but still very secure in the lead. The battle at the front seems to be revolving around tyre choice at the minute as the weather changes rapidly from not too bad to awful driving rain. Mikkelsen confirmed at the finish of that Mealagh Valley stage that his Focus was getting “no grip, I am on the intermediate tyres and the road was dry”. Eugene Donnelly changed on to a heavily cut slick tyre and that stage 4 was really good for him. He also said “We’re still adjusting the differentials, the car is wandery at high speed but I’m very pleased with the way its going”. Tim McNulty reported all well at stage finish and he seemed to be on the right tyres for that stage. Denis Cronin on the other hand reported his tyres to be too soft a compound and it was costing him time. PJ McGrath is getting into it now and his times are improving now on a par really with Ray Breen. James O’Sullivan is edging into the top 10 as he settles down to driving a world rally car, he admits to being very rusty. He’s trying very hard to get ahead of Kevin Kelleher and have a go at the award for “best home crew”.
Keith Cronin was 4s faster than Kevin Kelleher for best group N through stage 4 and interestingly both drivers reported their tyres were completely shot, in shreds. Willie Fannin is content to cruise it home now, preserve his Impreza and concentrate on getting 2nd in the GpN on the Dunlop series now that Ian Barrett has encountered problems. Also in having some difficulties is young Norwegian Eyvind Brynildsen, his Lancer well down on turbo boost at the end of stage 4, the gauge reading 1.0 bar instead of 1.9. John Roberts is running Eyvind’s car so whether he will be able to get the turbo changed here at service remains to be seen. Eyvind’s total now is 38.38 so he is a fair bit off the GpN lead in any case.
Kevin O’Donoghue is having 3rd gear troubles with his Lancer which may thwart his charge after the 023 Tiles Southern 4 Championship. Gerry Cassidy was leading the 2 wheel drive category but his Escort has broken its gearbox at the end of stage 4 and we don’t know if he can keep going. Ger O’Donovan in the green Escort Cosworth has been setting some really good times and he was knocking on the door of the top 10 after the first 2 stages. Eoin Doyle’s Subaru was either running late or missing at the end of stage 4. George Tracey’s Peugeot 206 WRC was in turbo charger trouble after the first 2 stages and he may be forced to retire.
More news later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net |
