RALLY NEWS NO.10 Grandstand/Service/Saturday 08.30

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 19 CORNAA (overnight)
1st (10) Jonny Milner/Nicky Beech (Corolla WRC) 2.01.33.6
2nd (12) Kenny McKinstry/Noel Orr (Impreza WRC) 2.06.08.9
3rd (11) Derek McGarrity/Dermot O'Gorman (Impreza WRC) 2.07.29.7
4th (19) Eamonn Boland/Francis Regan (Impreza WRC) 2.08.38.5
5th (8) Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Impreza WRC) 2.08.45.8
6th (5) Ryan Champion/Cliff Simons (Ford Puma) 2.11.21.4
7th (21) Seamus Leonard/Paul McLaughlin (Impreza N) 2.11.55.6
8th (1) Garry Jennings/Gordon Noble (Peugeot) 2.14.14.3
9th (28) Paddy White/James McKee (Impreza WRC) 2.15.49.0
10th (27) John Cope/Donna Harper (Esc.Cos) 2.16.08.8

Most people had retired to the bar or to their beds when the text messages started buzzing conveying the story that Tapio Laukkanen had retired his Subaru from this Manx International Rally.  The Finnish driver had driven like a hero all through Friday in a relentless chase after Pirelli British Champion Jonny Milner and his Corolla WRC.  Always on the agenda throughout the day was a planned exhaust manifold change at final service.  As is often the way, it didn't go smoothly and the mechanics just simply ran out of time.  From having a 36s lead Jonny Milner now has a 4m35s lead and barring unforeseen circumstances Jonny must surely be on the cards to win the event and strengthen his hold on this year's Pirelli points position.

Overnight class leaders in the International included - Chris de Fortis leading cl.2 in his Honda Civic. Aisling Dooris continues to lead class 1 in her Swift from the similar Suzuki of Harry Cathcart. Norgwegian driver Marcus Foss leads class 3 in his Almera from Donegal man Christopher Boyce in his fabulous Honda Civic Type R. Class 4, overall gpN, is now dominated by Seamus Leonard in his Subaru. He has almost 7 minutes in hand over Aaron MacHale in his Lancer Evo8. Then it is 3 Subarus next up, George Tracey, Dermot Hanafin and Eddie Garry all battling for 3rd in the category.  Shelley Taunt leads cl.5 in her Micra from Reg Berrie, Shelley now in a very strong position in the Pirelli BRC. Class 6 is led by young Glenn Wilson from Keady, his Peugeot 106 is 7 minutes ahead of Clonmel's Pat Kearney in his 206.  Simon Wallis is the sole surviving driver in class 7. 

In the Super 1600 category Ryan Champion in the Ford Puma has almost 3 minutes in hand over Garry Jennings in the Peugeot. Steve Hill is 3rd, way way back after multiple drive shaft problem yesterday, then is Leon Pesticcio in the Fiat Punto.

In the Manx Trophy Rally which started last night, after their 4 stages, Shaun Fox leads in his Corsa, Shaun performing his usual gian killing act and is almost a minute ahead of Lee Batty in an Escort. George Collister is 3rd, Steven Quine 4th and Paul Gallagher in the Corolla is the best of the Irish contingent and holds 5th place.

The Ford Ka Rally Championship forms part of the Trophy Rally and Andrew Leece is the overnight leader from John Moffatt with David Crossen, following a slowish start, but fastest time in stage 4, into 3rd place.
More news later…BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON         www.rallynews.net