RALLY NEWS NO.4    Service near Killeagh/Sunday 1.45

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 6 Knockakeo Wood 2
1st (2) Eddie Kinirons/Greg Shinnors (Celica) 17.52
2nd (3) Kevin O'Kane/Francis Regan (Impreza) 18.03
3rd (10) Kevin Lynch/Martin McNicholl (Impreza WRC) 18.14
4th (4) John Donnelly/Joe McAleese (Escort WRC) 18.21
5th (7) James Murphy/Con Mulcahy (Esc.Cos) 18.26
6th (6) John Shanahan/David Moynihan (Impreza N) 18.32
7th (9) John McGaffin/Alan Russell (Legacy) 19.04
8th (19) John Reid/Brendan Green (Escort) 19.14
9th (15) Brian Lawlor/Peter Kavanagh (Escort) 19.20
10th (27) Tom Kiely/M. Cuddihy (Escort) 19.32

Following our last RallyNews where we mentioned that John McCarthy was having problems with his Subaru exhaust manifold, he withdrew the car after service, we believe not tackling stage 4.  Another retirement is Brian McCloskey.  He was equal 3rd overall after stage 3 and indeed had set a fastest time on that test, but the car has since conked out with a reportedly electrical problem.

Kevin Lynch set the pace through stage 4, Eddie Kinirons had a screamer of a time through stage 5, was fastest again in stage 6, where Lynch went off the road briefly.  Kinirons reported no problems with the car when he reached service, and when his co driver Greg Shinnors was quizzed about the stunning stage 5 time, he replied "That's what is on the card and on the check sheet". 

Second placed Kevin O'Kane is setting a consistent pace, reports no problems with his Subaru.  Kevin Lynch said about his off road excursion "We were going really well, very enjoyable, less than half a mile to go to the end of the stage, I was pushing too hard and went into the ditch on a square right.  Not to worry, we'll keep her lit!"

John Shanahan continues to lead gpN and could have been even higher up the overall leaderboard except he was caught out at the water splash. The Subaru really ducked into the water and then chugged to stage finish. James Murphy is having a good run.  John Donnelly felt his Escort WRC went off song following the water splash, although it sounds as if the exhaust could be damaged.  Brian Lawlor, 2nd fastest of the Mk2 Escort contenders, had a big scare in stage 5 when the car bounced along a ditch for a long time. Michael Tynan in the Astra had to slow right down in stage 5, Lear/Kilcalf, when a herd of about 15 deer stampeded across the forest track.  Unfortunately the wee one at the back dithered about at the jump up the bank to get off the track, and Michael had to stop the white Astra. 
Killarney man Jimmy Devane is losing time hand over fist in his Nissan Sunny. The car can't cope with the slippy conditions and he has no limited slip diff in it.  Billy O'Connell has hurt his wrist when his Escort steering wheel got caught in a rut and snapped back on him. More news later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON    (www.rallynews.net)