RallyNews Live from The Circuit of Kerry Rally 2003

RALLY NEWS NO.3 Tralee-Service-Sunday 2.30

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 4 Lixnow
1st (2) Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Impreza WRC) 30.22
2nd (4) Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Impreza WRc) 30.28
3rd (5) Patrick Elliott/Martin Cahill (Impreza WRC) 30.43
4th (18) Noel Redmond/David Doyle (Impreza WRC) 31.17
5th (44) Kevin Lynch/Martin McNicholl (Impreza WRC) 31.34
6th (15) Gareth Jones/Ryland James (Impreza) 31.58
7th (12) Roy White/Greg Shinnors (Lancer N) 32.06
8th (31) Aidan Walsh/Jim Casey (Escort) 32.27
9th (16) Gerry McKiernan/Raymond Knox (Lancer N) 32.40
(17) Paddy White/Frank Sweeney (Impreza) 32.40

The big news from stage 4, Lixnow, is that early rally leader, Donie O'Sullivan has crashed the McKinstry Subaru out of the rally. Donie and co driver Paul Nagle are thankfully reported unhurt. Another big story is that early gpN leader Aaron MacHale has stopped in stage 3, his Lancer suffering some sort of engine problem. Austin MacHale continues to lead the rally, but only just, stopping on stage 4 for 40s. Austin explained "It was my fault, I forgot to switch on the fuel pump cooling fan. This new Subaru is like an effing helicopter in here, there's that many switches". Second placed Tim McNulty commented "We're getting a bit quicker in here, it's good, getting used to the car". Patrick Elliott in 3rd said "No problems, the car feels very very quick".

Roy White is the new group N leader and when his FESP Lancer glided into service the young Tipperary man said "I'm not sticking my neck out". Tony Kiearns in the hired gpN Lancer made a slow start to the day, but set fastest gpN time through stage 4, 7s up on White. Gerry McKiernan is currently 2nd in gpN and that was despite being off the road briefly earlier on.

Pat White's Impreza WRC suffered a front left puncture on the big long straight in stage 3, Pat finishing the stage on the rim, the car suffering some mud guard damage in the process. Noel Redmond caught the struggling Pat White Subaru and maybe lost a few seconds, maybe not. Richard Casey in the Escort is starting to set pretty good times in the 2wd category and commented "We got rid of a few more cobwebs that time, we're going a small bit better". Aidan Walsh continues to lead the 2wd brigade, but Aidan Is struggling slightly having fallen off the boot lid of a moving car yesterday and he has cuts and bruises to his head and shoulders. James O'Sullivan has slightly modified his hired Mk2 Escort, having been off the road several times through stages 3 and 4. The 023 Tiles man is still on a handy total of 32.55. Some other totals include - John Rooney on 32.44. Peter Clifford in the gpN Subaru 33.10. Doc Halliday 33.17. John Kearney 33.16. David Randles in the Raymond Mason hired gpN Subaru is on 34.11.

In the Ford Ireland Ka series Martin Laverty was fastest on the opening stage from Mark Kane with Walter Walsh 3rd. Series leader Vivien Noone was off the road for 6mins while Kenneth Mulvaney slammed his example into a wall, got going eventually but held up quite a few other cars. More news later. BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON

Other Useful Links

Kerry Motor Club Website