RALLY NEWS NO.5                        Baldoon service/Saturday 4pm

PEUGEOT 206 SUPER CUP UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER SS4
1st (104) Mike Faulkner/Peter Foy (Peugeot) 28.26.0
2nd (101) Shaun Gallagher/Richard Pashley (Peugeot) 28.34.5
3rd (103) Sebastian Ling/James Philips (Peugeot) 28.40.3
4th (102) Joan Roca/Dani Guerro (Peugeot) 28.53.2
5th (112) Rodney Wilton/Derek Coleman (Peugeot) 28.55.0
6th (108) Jack Ingleby/Grania Ingleby (Peugeot) 28.55.3
7th (105) Richard Sykes/Mark Andrews (Peugeot) 29.03.3
8th (113) Dessie Keenan/Enda Sherry (Peugeot) 29.28.08
9th (115) Andy Pawley/Vicky Johnston (Peugeot) 29.42.1
10th (107) Gareth MacHale/Joe Downey (Peugeot) 29.49.5

It is still very close at the top of the Peugeot 206 Super Cup with Mike Faulkner and Shaun Gallagher having a real battle, and now with the Catalunya crew of Joan Roca & Dani Guerro setting fastest time through stage 3, and second fastest time to Faulkner through stage 4, and coming right into the picture.  Gallagher commented at service in control "We're still trucking, that's the main thing. Being a bit careful, trying to avoid the rocks and not get punctures. I will judge these next 2 stages and see if its worth going for the win. I'm looking at the points situation, keeping the pressure on Faulkner, I think its possible to pull some time if I want, but obviously its risky". Scotsman Faulkner said "No problems, just concentrating on holding on to 1st place".

Joan Roca commented "The car is very very good now. On the last 2 stages we go fast to pull back some time". Sebastian Ling's co driver James Phillips said "Glad to be still 3rd, we lost time in stage 4, the tyres were shot. We didn't change them at last service, thought they'd be OK, but stage 4 destroyed them".

Retirements from the Peugeot 205 Super Cup runners include - front runner Chris Moore, his car suffering a cracked sump and Philip Morrow also gone with mechanical problems.

Further stories include - Dessie Keenan going flat out through stage 4 for a fast time then caught Phillipedes who was struggling with a puncture, and with the bad dust could not see the Irishman behind - Dessie losing all he had gained.  Jack Ingleby had another puncture, this time in stage 3 and as he said himself "It dents your confidence".  Gareth MacHale is struggling - following the drive shaft breakage earlier the car just does not seem right.  Earlier reports of the damage to young Stuart Jones' Peugeot were somewhat exaggerated, the car eventually got into service, minus a windscreen and suffering a damaged front guard. Otherwise OK and the lads are going to do the second leg tomorrow.  Co driver Richard Edwards main concern was about his pace notes that got soaked in the bog.  But we've given him another set!!

CASTROL VW POLO CHALLENGE - Finnish driver Jari Laakso continues to lead, his advantage now 10s over Kenny Brown with Anders Fredricsson still 3rd.

Switching back to the main part of the rally - James Thompson has retired his Lancer at service - the British Touring Car Champion was lying 3rd overall but told us "We had a crap early few stages because the differentials were not working properly. We changed the sender and it was much better. We were setting good times, but we were having a problem with 6th gear.  On a very fast section I chanced putting it into 6th but got neutral instead and we coasted round the next corner out of gear and slid into the ditch. We managed to get to service but there was a lot of damage to the radiator and other bits and pieces. We've had the gearbox in and out, but we can't get the sump guard fitted as there is damage to the chassis leg, so we think its better not to go on. Shame really, we were setting 3rd fastest time and looking for experience and points here."
More news later.      BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON      www.rallynews.net