RALLY NEWS NO.7 Charleville/Service/Sunday 3.15pm

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 11 Coolfree

1st (1) Kevin Lynch/Francis Regan (Impreza WRC) 1.14.43.8
2nd (3) Pat Norris/Declan Tumilty (Impreza) 1.18.16.4
3rd (2) Kevin O'Kane/Martin Hanna (Impreza WRC) 1.18.37.8
4th (4) Dermot Kelly/Greg Shinnors (Escort WRC) 1.18.42.8
5th (10) Adrian McElvaney/Paul Goodman (Impreza) 1.19.18.5
6th (18) Brian Lawlor/Peter Kavanagh (Escort) 1.20.06.8
7th (7) James Murphy/Con Mulcahy (Escort Cos) 1.19.38.9
8th (26) Brendan Murphy/Patrick Condon (Impreza N) 1.20.14.5
9th (17) Pete Willoughby/Paul Nagle (Lancer N) 1.20.18.4
10th (25) John McGlaughlin/David McElroy (Lancer N) 1.20.31.2

With over 3 minutes of a lead and with just one stage to go Kevin Lynch is looking very secure in the lead of this Cork Forestry Rally. However, Kevin is still convinced there is something wrong with the transmission of his Subaru, and said. "I'm just praying it keeps going". Kevin's co driver Francis Regan commented. "Its like this, it could last out or it could go with a bang". At least some of the pressure is off Lynch with the retirement of Dominic McNeill and John Shanahan. McNeill was 2nd but his Escort WRC prop shaft broke. John Shanahan was 3rd and leading GpN but his engine has reportedly let go. It looked as though Pete Willoughby would take over the lead of GpN, but his Lancer started to incur brake troubles through stages 10 and 11, young Brendan Murphy has made a charge and is now leading the category. Stephen Moore is 11th overall and 4th GpN. Patrick Elliott 12th and 5th GpN.

Pat Norris has had a good run over the last few stages and looks solid in 2nd place. Kevin O'Kane in 3rd has gearbox troubles and the box is currently being in preparation for the last stage. Dermot Kelly in 4th is just 5s behind O'Kane, Dermot has had drive shaft trouble from stage 9 and is hoping for a clean run on the last stage. Adrian McElvaney has really found his form over this afternoon's stages and has moved up the leaderboard to 5th. Adrian joking. "We've found the choke!" Glenn Allen set fastest time overall through stage 11, but is still over 2 minutes outside the top 10, still not bad going when he started the day 39th overall. Pat Norris in 2nd place reported intercom troubles. Brian Lawlor in the Escort still leads the 2 wheel drive brigade despite his gearbox starting to make some funny noises.

Further stories include - James Cribben losing time at the water splash, then catching someone else's dust when he did get going, and went into the ditch for 20 minutes. James Murphy seems to have got his Escort Cosworth turbo boost at last set up right and he has started to turn in some quick times and has moved from 10th to 7th.

Young Owen Murphy from Ballincollig retired his Peugeot yesterday with clutch trouble, entered the Sunday Run and is leading after 3 stages. Kieran Daly is leading the Ford Ka part of the rally from Daniel Barry. Just 2 registered Ka's left. Thomas O'Brien put his example off in stage 8 and Gordon Coleman retired yesterday with a damaged driveshaft.
More later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net