RALLY NEWS NO.4              Service - Near Manorhamilton - Sunday  2.45

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 4 TAWNYLUSD
1st (4) Glenn Allen/John Gallagher (Escort WRC) 37.12
      (12) Steve Fleck/Andy Card (Impreza WRC) 37.12
3rd (3) Steve Hendy/Aled Davies (Esc.Cos) 37.16
4th (5) Alan Nesbitt/Enda Sherry (Celica) 37.58
5th (21) Ivan Stewart/Gary Cooney (Esc.Cos) 38.18
6th (7) David Kynaston/Andy Russell (Audi) 38.38
7th (23) Raymond & David Johnston (Lancer N) 38.47
8th (9) David McNulty/Martin McGarrity (Esc.Cos) 38.54
9th (34) Sean Devine/Robert McDaid (Impreza N) 39.24
10th (14) Dominic McLaughlin/Cyril Donnellan (Peugeot rwd) 39.24

There is a massive battle at the front of this Sligo Rally, with English visitor Steve Fleck very relaxed over the first 2 stages, but now on a charge and fastest through stage 3.    In stage 3, Munnagashel, Fleck recorded a 10.58. Glen Alleen and Steve Hendy were both on 11.05.  In stage 4 Hendy was fastest on 7.49,by just a second from Fleck who was 7.50 and Allen 7.52.  Very close stuff indeed.  Hendy told us that on stage 2 he just could not get it all together, but otherwise he has had a good run. Glenn Allen is finding his front brakes locking up and he is having a tough time judging the braking distances, especially on the gravelly corners. 

In Group N Raymond Johnston continues to set the pace although Sean Devine has come well into the picture, despite some turbo problems through stages 3 and 4.  Willie Fannin had been in the leaderboard after the first couple of stages, but he also has dropped back with turbo problems.  Mark Worley, highest seeded of the Tarmacadam Group N drivers, is getting more into the way of the Irish roads, his total now 40.01.

Sean Gallagher had been equal 2nd after the first stage, but his Escort Cosworth developed brake problems, was off the road for 3 minutes, and Sean has pulled out.  Mac McKenna was 6th after stage 2, still 11th after stage 4, but he smashed the side of his rear wheel drive Peugeot when caught out on a square right, and although still going is thinking about retiring.  Ivan Stewart has lost a few seconds with a borken wire to the fuell pumps, seems to be well sorted now. Gerard McKiernan is dropping time in his gpN Lancer, can'' hear the notes because the intercom is not working. Richard Walsh has retired the ex works Astra with mechanical troubles. Alan Nesbitt was slowed by power steering problems in stage 4. David Kynaston reckons he does not have enough suspension travel in his Audi and is struggling over the bumpy roads. David McNulty has had to switch his Escort Cosworth's anti lag off because of a broken exhaust. David hopes to get the job fixed at service. Dominic McLoughlin is starting to go well despite a few hairy moments. Tony Davies in the red Impreza Turbo is just outside the leaderboard on 39.52, finds the car too stiff at the rear and it is skipping about over the jumps. John Cairns in the lhd gpN Impreza is thinking about retiring, his engine is chugging. Enda Keenan is top of  Class 14 time sheets, but he was lucky to make service, his Escort's electrics gone dead. Patrick Boyd put his Escort off the road in stage 4, both Damien Gallagher and Peter Rogers stopped to check that he was OK - he was unhurt.

One of the officials of the rally, Charlie Reid, would like to thank the crew of car 80, Casmore Magill/Brian Boyle, who lent him a road car after the cam belt in Charlie's car rboke. Terence McHugh & Tony Boyle lead class 12 by 11s from Raymond Drury. Dessie Keenan leads cl.6 in his Peugeot on 41.22.

In the Ford Ireland Focus Championship section John Foley now leads on 40.30. Colm Murphy is 2nd on 41.27 and series leader Oliver Stanley 3rd on 42.20.

More news later. BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON               www.rallynews.net