| RALLY NEWS NO.3 Tralee/Service/Sunday 12.45
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 2 Kilflyinn
1st (4) Keith Cronin/Anthony O'Conaill (Lancer N) 16.18
2nd (2) Kevin & Martin Kelleher (Lancer N) 16.29
3rd (9) Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley (Lancer N) 16.36
4th (1) Kevin O'Donoghue/Joe O'Leary (Lancer) 16.42
5th (8) Eamonn Daly/David Horan (Lancer N) 17.02
6th (10) John Kearney/Denis O'Connell (Escort) 17.04
7th (5) Anthony O'Halloran/Charlie McEnery (Manta) 17.08
8th (3) Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Impreza N) 17.09
9th (12) Shay Power/Kevin Walsh (Escort) 17.12
(164) Mick Moloney/Marie Casey (Escort) 17.12
11th (22) Fergus O’Meara/Liam Brennan (Escort) 17.15
(17) Fintan Canty/Denis O'Mahony (Escort) 17.15
Conditions continued to be wet and slippy through stage 2 and it was Keith Cronin who was fastest again, the young West Cork man recording a time of 7.44 with Kevin Kelleher 7.47. Thomas Fitzmaurice had a good run on his home stage and recorded 7.53. While last year’s winner Kevin O’Donoghue dropped out of the picture somewhat when his Lancer steering column sheared off the dash on the big jump bridge at 6.6km through the test.
We mentioned on the last Rally News that Aidan Walsh seemed to be running late. It transpires that he did crash his Escort and blocked the stage. While on the second stage Phillip Cross has crashed his Escort Cosworth, then Tommy Doyle crashed his Escort, blocking the road for the following drivers. Happily there are no reports of any injuries.
When Kevin O’Donoghue appeared here at service the steering column was flapping about around his knees and he said his arms were nearly pulled out trying to hold on to the steering. Kevin Kelleher again emphasised that he was on the wrong tyres and that his Lancer was locking wheels going into junctions. Keith Cronin felt that he was a bit too cautious through the stage, “A small bit on the safe side”. However he was fastest and that is what its all about. Alan Ring was another to report a very heavy landing at the big jump bridge.
Anthony O’Halloran had a great run through the stage just 1s down on Thomas Fitzmaurice and best of the two wheel drive contenders. John Kearney still leads the 2 wheel drive but admitted that he had a very “average” run through the stage.
Mark Sheahan was hampered through the stage with the front wheels locking up at junctions, Mark said that he had new brake pads fitted to his Clio before the start and they seemed to be snatching. He was still 18s up on Ian Roche in the similar Clio after 2 stages. Mick Moloney is having clutch release bearing troubles. Ray Hilliard reckons his Proflex suspension is nearly sorted. Phillip Cross went off on a square left on the 2nd stage.
Some further times: Mike Quinn 17.25: Gary Reidy 17.32 and getting no grip: Sean Lyons 17.23 and felt his Impreza wasn’t pulling on the 1st stage. Mick McQuaid 17.17 and said he was too cautious. Tom Curley 17.26. More news later: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net |
