RALLY NEWS NO.2                      Baldoon/Service/Saturday - Noon

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 2
1st (6) Jari-Matti Latvala/Carl Williamson (Focus WRC) 10.46.4
2nd (5) Tapio Laukkanen/Miika Anttila (Impreza WRC) 10.50.0
3rd (4) Jonny Milner/Nicky Beech (Corolla WRC) 10.56.3
4th (8) James Thompson/Plug Pulleyn (Lancer) 11.29.3
5th (20) Barry Johnson/Stewart Merry (Impreza) 11.34.5
6th (16) Dougie Hall/Steve Egglestone (Lancer) 11.41.8
7th (9) Gwyndaf Evans/Claire Mole (MG) 11.42.0
8th (3) Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Impreza WRC) 11.42.1
9th (13) Kris Meeke/Chris Patterson (Corsa) 11.45.5
10th (14) Mirco Baldacci/Simone Scattolin (Punto) 11.48.0

Finnish driver Jari-Matti Latvala was fastest on the first and second stages, with Tapio Laukkanen just over 2s slower on the first one and .1 of a second down on the second.  Jonny Milner was 2nd fastest on the first stage, 3rd fastest on the 2nd.  Latvala commented here at service at Baldoon "On the first stage there was a big stone on the line and I couldn't avoid it, punctured a back tyre and ran for 2 kms. Otherwise all OK".  Jonny Milner told us "The car feels good, although there is some loose shale and the car is moving about. We did get quite a lot of dust on the last mile of stage 2 from Austin and it slowed us a few seconds".  Tapio Laukkanen said "No problems, first stage we were quite steady, the second one is an old stage and I push a little harder, but it was not bothering me".  James Thompson, remarkably hasn't driven his Lancer since the Pirelli and still set good times, remarked "Getting used to the car, but with moving house and all the racing I've had no time". 

In Group N Neil Buckley was fastest, 14th overall, Rob Swan was 2nd fastest and Paul Alexander 3rd fastest.  Alexander was very disappointed in his times, reported no problems, although his tyres were not worn at all compared to the other cars. Buckley had a front right puncture at the end of stage 2, but knows the stage well and expected to set a good time. 

Gwyndaf Evans is the pace setter in the Super 1600 category, Gwyndaf reporting no real problems.  Kris Meeke, 2nd Super 1600, said "A bit steady, I want to get a couple of stages over, drive at my own pace, the stages are fantastic".  San Marino driver Mirco Baldacci reported everything good. Simon Hughes, 4th in the Super 1600, said "They are real fast stages, on a left hander after a long straight I was a touch late on the brakes and we slid briefly into some pine trees. Its so fast in there, ease off a fraction and you'd never make it up, we were a bit too keen".  Barry Clark is 5th Super 1600, Garry Jennings 6th in the works Peugeot, Garry not settled at all.  Ryan Champion 7th, Ryan's Puma sporting a burst drive shaft gaiter which Ryan discovered between the first and second stages, patched it up, but took it slightly easy through the stage.
Further stories include - Austin MacHale having some trouble with the gear change indicator not clicking up on the dash. Gareth Jones reports his Subaru's back end loose and moving about, also the seat belt buckle undid itself halfway through a stage. Julian Reynolds' Subaru suffered 2 punctures, one in stage 1 another in stage 2. Couldn't get the wheel nuts off on the 2nd puncture and had to drive a road section on a flat wheel, lost little time.  First major retirement would appear to be Natalie Barrett - following a decent time in stage 1 the hired David Greer Corolla WRC is reportedly stopped at the start of stage 2. More news later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON                               www.rallynews.net