1^st (2) Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Impreza WRC) 1.41.24

2^nd (3) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Impreza WRC) 1.42.22

3^rd (4) Derek McGarrity/Dermot O'Gorman (Impreza WRC) 1.42.42

4^th (9) Paul Harris/John McCafferty (Impreza) 1.44.34

5^th (7) Peadar Hurson/Ian Porter (Impreza WRC) 1.44.38

6^th (8) Daniel & Michael Doherty (Impreza WRC) 1.45.06

7^th (5) Eamonn Boland/Damien Morrissey (Impreza WRC) 1.45.42

8^th (11) Seamus Leonard/Paul McLaughlin (Impreza N) 1.48.22

9^th (14) Roy White/Greg Shinnors (Lancer N) 1.48.46

10^th (19) Glenn Allen/John Gallagher (Escort WRC) 1.49.50

Since last service the drivers have done 3 stages, Fanad Head, Knockalla and Meentagh. Andrew Nesbitt was fastest on all 3, reinforcing his dominance over these Donegal roads. Closest to Nesbitt’s times was Eugene Donnelly. Andrew commented at service "We had a good run over the 3 stages, kept the car down over the jumps. I’m still getting used to it. Looking forward to tomorrow and just hope it doesn’t rain". Eugene Donnelly said "I’m a lot happier with the car now, I’ve turned the differentials to fully active, I’m getting the maximum, using all the toys, can’t get anything more". Derek McGarrity commented "Not too bad a run, we have a minor brake problem, nothing serious, need new pads, but then you’d need new pads if you’d done what this car has done today!"

Eamonn Boland is still shown with his 2 minute penalty from yesterday – he’s lying 7^th, if it wasn’t for the penalty he would be 4^th. Paul Harris is 4^th after a brilliant run today, and he said "I could do no more, there was one jump I thought the car was never going to land. There were some tight stages today where we could push on, it was a good day’s rallying". Daniel Doherty is still disappointed at his time loss from earlier when he had a spin, and said "We’re building up the pace but we will never get that time back". Peadar Hurson turned in a really fast time on the final stage today, equal with McGarrity, and said "There were a few places I could have gone quicker, but it was fast enough. There was one junction right when the wipers came on unexpectedly and spoiled my concentration"j.

Group N leader Seamus Leonard said "Tough stages, all coming together". Roy White told us "There was one big jump when all three centre differential lights cam on at once and then the car was all over the place, the back stepping out". Philip Shaw is still having misfiring problems but manages to hold on to the class lead, although it looks as if Conor Curley has got ahead of Seamus Donnelly for 2^nd in that class.

Further stories ….Garry Jennings running into problems when the front wishbone of his Peugeot pulled out of the floor…its been giving trouble all day. Garry was heading into the top 10 but has lost several minutes. Total now 1.53.26. JJ Fleming has pulled in his Impreza WRC, reportedly there is power steering fluid leaking on to the exhaust posing a real possibility of fire. Ivan Stewart’s Escort Cosworth arrived into service with a blown turbo. Some more times – Kevin Lynch on 1.50.56. Alan Nesbitt now over 2 hours following his Knockalla accident but still setting some very good times. Austin MacHale has pulled up very well, his total now 1.54.44. Sean Devine, recovering from his puncture, 1.50.48. Neil McCance up to 3^rd in gpN, 1.51.05. Philip Shaw 1.51.12. Glyn Jones 1.50.52. Michael Curran 1.51.15. Aaron MacHale 1.52.06.

In the WRC Cyprus Rally Alistair Ginley/Rory Kennedy are a brilliant 8^th overall despite problems which included a blown turbo. Solberg now 25s ahead of Rovanpera, then its Loeb, McRae, Sainz, Hirvonen, Schwarz and then the bionic Mr Ginley and Mr Kennedy!! (thanks to Shaammii again).

More news in the morning….maybe..perhaps..BRIAN & LIZ PATTESON