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RALLY
NEWS NO.4
Service/Kilkenny-Clonmel Rd/Sunday 4pm
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 6
1st (2) Eugene Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Impreza WRC) 42.51
2nd (3) Michael Barrable/Dermot O'Gorman (Impreza WRC) 43.40
3rd (8) Jim Harrison/Harvey Bell (Impreza WRC) 43.43
4th (6) Adrian McElvaney/Paul Goodman (Impreza WRC) 44.09
5th (152) Sean Gallagher/Paul Nagle (Esc.Cos) 45.06
6th (14) Steve Fleck/Mark Aspinall (Impreza WRC) 45.11
7th (24) Phil Collins/Howard Davies (Escort) 45.45
8th (17) Cahal Arthurs/L.Jones-Edwards (Celica) 45.54
9th (15) Nigel Hicklin/Sam McMullan (Impreza WRC) 46.13
10th (25) Guy Woodcock/Dave Williams (Escort Maxi) 46.27
On stage 5, Tullaroan, Michael Barrable was fastest by 1s from Jim Harrison
and then on stage 6 it was Eugene Donnelly quickest by 8s from Michael
Barrable. Donnelly admitted that he was a bit lacklustre through stage 5,
and that he should have fitted new tyres. Eugene went on to say
"Otherwise no problems, but I'm being slaughtered today with the hay
fever, can't stop sneezing!" He's not doing bad for a man who is
suffering! Jim Harrison had been 2nd after stage 5, but lost time through
stage 6, co-driver Harvey Bell saying "The stage was brilliant until
about 3 miles from the end, we were setting a cracking pace, but then we
lost boat loads of time towards the end when the engine started to die, fade
and cough. It was like it was running out of petrol". Harvey then
pointed at the digital read out on the world rally car's dash which showed a
clear 10 lites of fuel, so obviously that was not the cause. Barrable's
rhythm was upset through stage 6 when a pigeon slammed into the roof vent of
the Impreza, and the inside of the car filled up with fluttering feathers.
No joke at 100 mph plus down country roads!
Adrian McElvaney continues to sit in tight behind the leaders, but the young
Monaghan man is just a few seconds down on most stages, and told us
"We're not hanging about, there's more left, but we're not ready to
push that far just yet". Sean Gallagher, lying well up in the Dunlop
National championship, is also sitting tightly in behind the leaders, Sean's
time wasn't fantastic through stage 5, and when asked why, commented.
"That stage is just a bit bumpier and more gravelly than the others.
The old Escort Cosworth just doesn't have the suspension of the new Subaru
world rally cars".
Other stories include - Ray Breen starting to go pretty well in his new
Metro 6R4. Ray reporting that it is better now that the suspension has been
stiffened up, but there's more to do. Nigel Hicklin is struggling a little
with his new Impreza WRC gearbox, while Steve Fleck, going hard now, is
ruing the fact that he started at much too gentle a pace.
Phil Collins told us that his Escort developed a bit of a misfire at the end
of stage 6, but he has got over his battery troubles. Patrick Elliott is
cruising along nicely, never going to make up the 6 or 7 minutes he lost on
the first stage with ignition troubles, but taking the opportunity to build
up his confidence today.
Eoin Doyle continues to lead gpN, but he has backed off a little, anxious to
get the car to the finish line, and if he is not at all careful he is going
to be passed by the likes of Willie Fannin and Kieran Molloy in their
Lancers. Eoin should be alright but can't afford to relax too much. Molloy
was troubled earlier with his suspension not set up right, but he has got it
much more to his liking now. Unconfirmed reports are that Kieran
O'Neill has crashed his Kadett out on stage 6. John Dalton's Darrian has
stopped with oil pump trouble. Melvyn Evans' retirement is reportedly down
to engine failure. Liam Wall's Escort has pulled in on stage 6. Tommy Kylie
has retired his Escort with front suspension problems. Further times include
- David McNulty on 47.09. Dominic Loughran 48.05. Kieran Molloy 47.50. More
news later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net
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