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RALLY NEWS NO.3
Dingle/Service/Sunday 1pm
www.rallynews.net
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 2 Conor Pass
1st (2) Jim Harrison/Harvey Bell (Impreza WRC) 14.07
2nd (1) Naill Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Impreza WRC) 14.12
3rd (4) Donie O'Sullivan/Paul Nagle (Focus WRC) 14.14
4th (9) Patrick Elliott/David Moynihan (Imprezaa WRC) 14.31
5th (12) Denis Cronin/Helen O'Sullivan (Celica) 14.39
6th (14) JJ Fleming/Robbie Ward (Impreza WRC) 14.47
(20) Andrew Stewart/Fabian McShane (Lancer N)
14.47
8th (15) George Cullen/Pat Cashman (Impreza 555) 14.52
9th (5) Kevin Lynch/Francis Regan (Impreza WRC) 15.00
10th (7) Adrian McElvaney/Paul Goodman (Impreza WRC) 15.04
Niall Maguire was fastest over the daunting Conor Pass stage, by just 1s
from Jim Harrison, who retains the overall lead, and Donie O'Sullivan was a
further 5s back. Maguire's co driver Paul McLaughlin looked distinctly
hot under the collar when he arrived in here to Dingle harbour, reporting.
"Yes, Niall was going very hard". Jim Harrison's co driver
Harvey Bell recounted that the car was bouncing and bumping so hard there
were times he couldn't read the pace notes. Donie O'Sullivan and Paul
Nagle reported that they were slightly on the cautious side, obviously with
one eye out for next weekend's Circuit of Ireland. Patrick Elliott was a few
seconds slower than the leaders, but still set a good time, particularly in
view of the fact that he knocked a large lump out of one of his Subaru's
rims early in the stage. This happened as he was skirting past a
couple of straw bales, set out to protect a collapsing bridge parapet. Denis
Cronin 5th said "We're going fine, but I eased off a few times on Conor
Pass for no real reason". No like Denis, but still a brilliant
drive from the West Cork man in the elderly Celica.
We mentioned earlier that Adrian McElvaney was still getting used to his new
car - that still applies. But we did say that his new Subaru had paddle
change, in fact it has a sequential stick gear change. Many people are
asking about Kevin Lynch's times - the Dungiven man is down in 9th but
seemed happy enough, and said. "I'm being cautious, it's the start of a
long championship and we want to see what pace these other men are going
at". Cathal Arthurs is just outside the leaderboard in his new Hyundai
and said that the car felt quick on Conor Pass, but the times didn't really
match up.
In Group N there seems no one to match flying Letterkenny man Andrew
Stewart. He is now joint 6th overall. Willie Fannin is 26s back
in his new Subaru. Seamus Heron is even further back, his total 16.04.
James O'Sullivan is on 15.54. 023 Tiles man James said "The back
of the Lancer is trying to pass me out the whole time!". It is early
days yet, but Tom Randles seems to be the pace setter in the 2 wheel drive
category, and that was despite Tom's Escort cut out switch coming loose on
Conor Pass. Co driver Diarmuid Lynch having to hold it in position with his
foot, and still read the notes. Anthony O'Halloran in the Manta had a
good run over Minard Castle stage, but then had a slow run on Conor Pass
when his Manta' rear tyres lost their grip. More news later. BRIAN
& LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net
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