 |
 |
|
|
Rally News No.6 Charterhall Service - Saturday 2pm UNOFFICIAL FORMULA RALLY L/BOARD AFTER STAGE 10 - ECCLES 1st (F5) David Higgins/Mike Gibson (VW Polo) 1.19.06.0 2nd (F1) Martin Rowe/Chris Wood (Ford Puma) 1.19.09.3 3rd (F3) Patrick Magaud/Guylene Brun (Ford) 1.20.19.0 4th (F4) Mats Andersson/Claire Mole (Proton) 1.20.22.5 5th (F11) Simon Mauger/Keith Hounslow (Proton) 1.22.15.0 6th (F7) Max McKillen/Nicky Beech (Saxo) 1.22.17.0 7th (F9) Paul Wedgbury/Neil Dashfield (Saxo) 1.30.40.1 8th (F8) Liam Brady/Greg Shinnors (Proton) 1.35.22.8 This Formula Rally Jim Clark leaderboard changed noticeably through stages 8, 9, 10, with David Higgins moving into the lead ahead of Martin Rowe, and Patrick Magaud slipping ahead of Mats Anderson. The story at the front is that Higgins has been driving brilliantly and hard, while Rowe made a conservative tyre choice which cost him those few seconds. Mats Andersson's Proton had a drop in fuel pressure, through stage 10 which allowed Magaud's Puma to get ahead. Higgins commented here at service "It went well, there was one corner where we lost a few seconds, I put the car slightly on to the grass and we had a lot of wheelspin getting out. The Proflex suspension is working well at the rear, not kicking the same". Rowe said " I picked too soft a compound tyre and they went off - I pushed hard on the quick bits but had to take a few chances in places. We've had a leaking shock absorber damper which has been fixed, and we have a slight oil leak from the gearbox, otherwise it's ok. I'd rather be in front than behind, but there's only 3s in it, and I think I have 6 of the best medium Pirellies left for the final run, so we'll give it a go". Mats Andersson said "The engine was just dying and missing on that last stage into service, a pity because the car was very good previous, and it has let Magaud in front. Simon Mauger dropped a bit of time in stage 8 when he left his braking a bit late, the gear change was a bit tight anyway and he missed a gear, his Proton flew off the road and landed on top of a fence. There was little damage but barbed wire got wrapped around a driveshaft, and it took the spectators a bit of time to get the car out. No damage except the tracking slightly out. In the National part of this Jim Clark, Peadar Hurson continues to lead in his Celica and told us here at service ... "I'm starting to get to grips with the car, really enjoying it". Tim McNulty had been in 2nd place but he has dropped over 5 mins in stage 10 when his Subaru punctured a tyre, he is now down in 5th. Steve Fleck is in 2nd place, John Cope 3rd, Barry Johnston 4th and Nigel Worswick in his lovely new Escort Cosworth 5th. We are still waiting for times for young Steven Clark who is running further down the field, he has been leading his class and running inside the top 10. Looking further afield - Robert Woodside is leading the Toshiba Rally in Co Antrim, from Derek McGarrity - McGarrity had a small wastegate fire in SS1 and dropped a few seconds. Eamonn Boland is 3rd to make it an Impreza WRC top 3. Trevor Moore 4th, Eugene Donnelly 5th. Biggerstaff further back and having diff troubles on his 6R4, but still on course for the NI title. In Australia, Gronholm is the overnight leader with Burns 2nd, Auriol 3rd, Rovanpera 4th and Colin McRae 5th, one place ahead of Makinen, Alister McRae is 10th. More News Later ..... Brian & Liz Patterson
|
