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RALLY NEWS NO.6
Ballylickey/Saturday 3.30
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 8
1st (5) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Impreza WRC) 1.08.17.0
2nd (3) Derek McGarrity/Dermot O'Gorman (Impreza WRC) 1.08.28.2
3rd (2) Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Impreza WRC) 1.08.46.1
4th (7) Donie O'Sullivan/Paul Nagle (Impreza WRC) 1.09.23.2
5th (10) Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Corolla WRC) 1.09.43.3
6th (23) Andrew Stewart/Fabian McShane (Lancer N) 1.11.21.5
7th (167) Trevor Cathers/David Moynihan (Impreza N) 1.11.23.0
8th (8) Maurice Gass/Geoffrey Orr (Impreza WRC) 1.11.39.6
9th (24) Denis Cronin/Helen O'Sullivan (BMW M3) 1.11.53.6
10th (22) Dickie Curran/Billy McCullins (Lancer N) 1.12.23.5
Through the Fuhiry stage, shortened because there was a suspected flood at the
end of it, which turned out to be incorrect information, Eugene Donnelly was
again fastest, by just under 2s from MacHale, with McGarrity a further 3s back.
Quite remarkably, the head gasket has been leaking on Eugene Donnelly's Impreza
for quite a few stages, the Maghera man having to put water in after every
stage. With the sun starting to make an appearance here at Ballylickey the
drivers seemed a bit happier, Austin MacHale saying "It makes a huge
difference being on the proper tyres". Derek McGarrity said
"We're being careful, conditions still treacherous, we've plenty more to
come". Eugene Donnelly commented about his head gasket leak
"There are red lights flashing everywhere". Donie O'Sullivan
said "We're driving clean and safe". Liam McCarthy in the Corolla
commented "Right tyres, bit better, enjoyed the last 2 stages".
Trevor Cathers, when informed that Andrew Stewart had moved into the gpN lead,
said "I'm just motoring on, remember it's not my car". Roy White
in the FESP Lancer told us "I think I've gone to sleep for a small while in
those 2 stages". Dickie Curran said just one word
"Perfect".
Tim McNulty in the Impreza WRC wasn't so happy, he reported a 25s time loss with
clutch trouble at the start of Fuhiry, and observed "The day has gone from
bad to worse". Denis Cronin has really turned the wick up in the BMW
M3, Denis remarking that the suspension is really working well. Johnny
O'Sullivan has his car back on 4 wheel drive but reckons it isn't handling the
best after the earlier broken drive shaft trouble. Michael Curran reports a
slipping clutch in his Lancer, but the young Co. Down man is setting a very nice
pace, just a few seconds slower than Aaron MacHale, Aaron slowed with a puncture
in Ardgroom stage this morning. Wesley Patterson's Escort has just had the
alternator fail in Fuhiry but still going. Willie Power in the Chevette
said "A big bonus for me to be still going in the Lakes, we've had a broken
exhaust, broken wipers and a misfire, but it's great to be still going".
Gerry McVeight commented "We're now in the 2nd division of gpN, the car
won't rev over 3200 flat out. More later. BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON
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