1^st (1) Trevor Moore/Philip McCrea (Impreza WRC) 21.01

2^nd (3) Robbie McGurk/David Moynihan (Impreza) 21.03

3^rd (2) Derek McGarrity/Dermot O'Gorman (Impreza WRC) 21.06

4^th (16) David Greer/Brian Crawford (Corolla WRC) 21.53

5^th (10) Maurice Gass/James McKee (Impreza WRC) 22.04

6^th (4) Denis Biggerstaff/Derek Brannigan (Metro 6R4) 22.06

7^th (12) Raymond Johnston/Richard Bell (Evo 6 N) 22.14

8^th (8) Dermot Kelly/John Brennan (Escort WRC) 22.22

9^th (19) John Donnelly/Joe McAleese (Escort WRC) 22.28

10^th (11) Richard Hogg/Mark Hanna (Evo 6 N) 22.30

11 (17) Sean Devine/Damien Duffin (Impreza N) 22.35

12^th (15) Raymond Mason/Peter Martin (Impreza N) 22.36

13^th (9) Kevin O'Kane/Martin Hanna (Impreza WRc) 22.43

It is still extremely close between the top 3on this Toshiba Mid Antrim Rally. Derek McGarrity was fastest through stage 4, Parkmore, by just 1s from Trevor Moore and Robbie McGurk. That situation repeated itself through stage 5, Glenariff, where again McGarrity was 1s faster than Moore and McGurk. Moore commented here at service "I wasn’t just as good in that fifth stage as I could have been, there was a big pot hole into the chicane, I knew it was there but it caught me out. But I’m getting into the gears, its super now". Robbie McGurk commented "We’ve nothing left, I have been a bit cautious in a few places, sticking my neck out at others, just getting away with it". McGarrity reported "It’s a fairly good pace, I had that half spin at the hairpin a few stages ago, trying to make up time. I cut the chicane on that last stage (Glenariff), thought I’d burst something but it looks OK".

Behind the leading 3 David Greer has been quietly upping the pace. The Carryduff man has not been out rallying for a while, so presumably it is not easy to jump into a Corolla WRC and get on the pace of the 3 in front. Maurice Gass is doing well to hold on to 5^th, he reports a couple of half spins, and commented "We’re pushing, not disgracing ourselves". Denis Biggerstaff didn’t seem too bothered by the slightly bent steering received when he clipped a bridge in Ballypatrick. His 6R4 engine is behaving itself fairly well and Denis isn’t a mile away.

Raymond Johnston holds on to the group N lead, Richard Hogg clawed a few seconds back through stages 4 and 5. Sean Devine continues to hold 3^rd in gpN but Raymond Mason is closing the gap.

Andy Magee is the fastest 2-wheel drive car today so far, Andy’s total 22.53. Keith White is on 23.07 and Mark Barnett on 23.32. Magee said "Slippy out there, but nice, a good day". Keith White reported an overshoot at a chicane, otherwise having a steady run and determined to try to clinch the Mid Antrim club championship today. His main rival is John Donnelly who is also going very nicely.

Further stories include – Gerard McFaul having great difficulty settling in to the ex Brendan O’Hagan left hand drive Escort Cosworth. James Murphy reported a big overshoot in stage 3. Richard Hogg told us he was very nearly caught out on the bad jumps over the downhill section near the end of Parkmore. More news later. BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net