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RALLY NEWS NO.2 End of stage 1/Saturday 11.15
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 1 – GRIANAN
1st (1) Gareth MacHale/Craig Parry (Focus WRC) 5.05
2nd (5) Derek McGarrity/Diarmuid Falvey (Impreza WRC) 5.07
3rd (2) Tim McNulty/Eugene O'Donnell (Impreza WRC) 5.10
4th (3) Paul Harris/John McElhinney (Corolla WRC) 5.16
(8) Hugh M Doherty/Michael McBride (Impreza WRC) 5.16
6th (6) PJ McDermott/Sean Harris (Impreza WRC) 5.17
7th (7) Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Impreza WRC) 5.24
(11) Garry Jennings/Rory Kennedy (Lancer N) 5.24
9th (18) Seamus Heron/Gerry McVeigh (Focus WRC) 5.31
(20) Rodney Wilton/Conor McMahon (Escort) 5.31
As can be seen above Gareth MacHale was fastest through the opening stage although, despite the lovely bright dry morning here in Donegal, he described the roads as slippy with very little grip and his Focus was moving about a lot, although perhaps the suspension was a little too hard.
Second fastest Derek McGarrity seems to be suffering a little from flu and he professed himself to be a bit rusty, but really set a great time. Tim McNulty in 3rd reported no problems. A very fit looking Paul Harris who is in training for the Dublin Marathon shortly said. “Took it nice and steady”. Paul tied with Hugh Martin Doherty in the stage, Hugh Martin reporting no troubles. PJ McDermott rounded off the top 6 and again said he had a good clean run.
Garry Jennings was fastest of the group N drivers although he reckoned his Lancer suspension was a bit soft. Michael Curran seemed to be having some trouble with his Lancer’s anti lag system and he was 13s down on Garry. Cathal Rogers was 15s down on Garry, Cathal having some problems getting his Lancer switched on to the correct differential settings. Danny McBride set a time of 5.38 and Kieran Graffin retired his Lancer with turbo troubles.
In the Mk2 Escort race Rodney Wilton was fastest on 5.31. Damien Gallagher did 5.34 as did Wesley Patterson. Gary McPhillips did 5.37. Camillus Bradley was on 5.39 as was Paul Gallagher in the Corolla. Camillus reckons his Escort had broken a rear shock absorber.
Some more times include: Andrew Stewart in the Skoda on 5.38. Andrew on a huge learning curve in this WRC machine, left hand drive not helping his cause. Paddy White in his Focus did 5.45.
More news later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net |
