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RALLY NEWS NO.3 Garrison/Service/Saturday/1.30
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 4 Connagher
1st (3) Stephen Moore/Tony McHugh (Focus WRC) 18.01
2nd (2) Sean Devine/Damien Duffin (Impreza WRC) 18.02
3rd (12) Howard Clarke/Jason Harron (Lancer N) 18.14
4th (14) Richard Cathcart/Paul McLoughlin (Impreza N) 18.24
5th (6) Garry Jennings/Rory Kennedy (Lancer N) 18.37
6th (11) Raymond Mason/Peter Martin (Lancer N) 18.43
7th (17) Seamus Devine/Terry McGonigle (Impreza WRC) 18.45
8th (15) Kevin O'Kane/Martin Brady (Impreza WRC) 18.52
9th (5) Richard Hogg/Mark Hanna (Octavia) 18.57
10th (7) Niall McShea/Marshall Clarke (/escort) 18.59
The above times are from the first few cars only and there could be some of the later running drivers coming into that leaderboard. On our last Rally News we reported on an accident where Raymond Johnston put his Subaru off the road, and his co driver Richard Bell hurt his neck. The rally doctor has reported that it was more of a precautionary matter, that there are no problems.
Stephen Moore was 2nd after that first stage but speeded up on stage 2 to be just 1s behind Sean Devine. He dropped a second to Devine on stage 3 and then moved into the lead on stage 4. First on the road Devine is to a certain degree having to sweep any loose gravel and did report the tracks as “loose and slippy”. Moore said. “I’m happy enough. I tried hard over the last couple of stages and hopefully that is me wakened up. I’m finding these wild tricky stages. The car is no bother, all is fine”. Richard Hogg on the other hand reported a severe misfire in his Octavia, particularly under hard acceleration when the boost comes in and the car is not lifting through the corners, giving Limavady man Richard a few anxious moments. He said that if he can’t get the trouble sorted here at service he will put out.
Garry Jennings has had problems with his Lancer breaking an engine mounting. The engine is slapping about over the jumps and the exhaust has moved. Garry has a spare engine mounting and will try and fit it here at service. He also was using too hard a compound tyre. Raymond Mason had a pretty good run and holds 6th o/a on his group N Lancer. Raymond passed Eoin McErlean in a stage and Eoin’s Lancer has not appeared at service. Also missing here at service is Errol Clarke – His Lancer reportedly suffered a broken track control arm. Howard Clarke has had a brilliant run to lead group N and lie 3rd overall in his lancer. Howard said there is a bit left yet. Richard Cathcart is 2nd group N, 4o/a, and feels he lost a bit fo time getting too sideways at a hairpin and on to the grass. However his time for that stage was still good.
Kevin O’Kane joked that he had a sleepy sort of morning and said there were plenty of places you could get caught out. Craig Bennett is lying outside the leaderboard, his Metro slowed with a broken drive shaft. Craig said. “400 horse power with rear wheel drive only, sideways at every corner, but slow”. Brendan Connor would appear to have retired his Impreza, a broken half shaft at the start of stage 4 the culprit. Maurice Jellie is still going strong in his Escort Cosworth, learning a bit on every stage. Niall McShea was in subdued form when he brought his Mk2 Escort in to the control, reported no problems. It will be interesting to get the times of people like Frank Kelly, Adrian Hetherington & Seamus O’Connell later on.
In the Fiesta Sporting Trophy Alastair Fisher led after 4 stages on a total of 19.24 with Jonny Greer 2nd on 19.40. Conor Harvey 19.44. Tadgh Buckley 20.19. Both Jonny Greer and Tadgh Buckley’s Fiestas suffered punctures. Conor Harvey’s had a broken sump guard after stage 4. Alastair Fisher had a pretty clean run. More news later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net
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