UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 1 St Angelo

1^st (2) Derek McGarrity/Chris Patterson (Impreza WRC) 1.45.6

2^nd (7) Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Impreza WRC) 1.48.9

3^rd (9) Maurice Gass/Geoffrey Orr (Impreza WRC) 1.49.5

4^th (5) Peadar Hurson/Ian Porter (Impreza WRC) 1.50.9

5^th (1) Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Impreza WRC) 1.51.3

6^th (4) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Impreza WRC) 1.51.9

7^th (12) Dickie Curran/Anthony Donnelly (Lancer N) 1.52.4

8^th (3) Eamonn Boland/Damien Morrissey (Impreza WRC) 1.52.7

9^th (23) Dan McCartan/Michael McElwee (Celica) 1.52.8

10^th (19) Garry Jennings/Gordon Noble (Peugot 106) 1.53.0

11^th (8) Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Impreza WRC) 1.54.5

(10) Seamus Leonard/Paul McLaughlin (Impreza N) 1.54.5

(11) Roy White/Greg Shinnors (Lancer N) 1.54.5

Austin MacHale was first on the road here at the sun drenched and spectator packed St Angelo airfield stage. Austin was not fastest though, at stage finish he said "We slid wide at the first corner, on to the gravel, lost a couple of seconds. " Fastest was No.2 on the road, Derek McGarrity, the Glengormley man saying just one word "Brilliant". Eamonn Boland was next through the stage and looked slightly stunned when he saw McGarrity’s time, 7s faster. This St. Angelo test may have little bearing on the final results of the Circuit on Easter Monday afternoon, but at the same time it’s never too soon to start winning. Eugene Donnelly told us at stage finish "I got a new helmet, can’t hear the engine revs, and fluffed a couple of gear changes". Eugene still set a superb time, particularly considering he is in a much older Impreza WRC.

In many ways we are taking up where we left off last year, with the main battle certainly initially looking to be between Nesbitt and McGarrity. Nesbitt may be in a slightly older car but he was still making it dance, and that was despite having a little problem with the automatic clutch, Andrew having to double de-clutch manually, or at least with his foot if you know what we mean.

In Group N Dickie Curran is the early pace setter and said "Could we just keep the Circuit in here for 3 days, it suits an old racing driver like me!" Seamus Leonard and Roy White were equal 2^nd in gpN while some other gpN times include Andrew Stewart on 1.56.9, having selected a wrong gear. Aaron MacHale 1.56.0 and running a new engine, remarking as well that the stage was very slippy. Shaun Gallagher had a 1.56.2 on his first gpN outing, and said "Spot on".

Other stories include: Pat White having a big spin, the handbrake was cold and he went straight on. Gareth Jones had a half spin, the young Welshman still impressive on 1.55.4, half a second faster than his father Glyn. Garry Jennings had no problems in the Peugeot and said at stage finish "Glad to get that one over". Tim McNulty was having some problems with his Impreza WRC gear change. More later BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON