RALLY NEWS NO. 8                Ballingurteen/Service/Sunday 2.45

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 12 Shannonvale
1st (3) Ken McKinstry/Sean Mullally (Impreza WRC) 1.27.07.5
2nd (2) Eamonn Boland/Damien Morrissey (Impreza WRC) 1.27.23.6
3rd (1) Melvyn Evans/Marc Jones (Impreza WRC) 1.27.48.6
4th (8) Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Corolla WRC) 1.27.55.6
5th (15) Maurice Gass/Geoffrey Orr (Impreza WRC) 1.28.49.1
6th (6) Steve Fleck/Andy Card (Impreza WRC) 1.29.03.3   
7th (11) Phil Collins/Howard Davies (Escort) 1.30.55.3
8th (17) Tony Davies/Wyn Thomas (Metro 6R4) 1.31.42.3
9th (23) Cathal Arthurs/Llinos J-Edwards (Celica) 1.31.56.0
10th (43) Kieran O'Callaghan/Caroline Murphy (Lancer N) 1.32.30.1
11th (19) Nigel Hicklin/Sam McMullan (Impreza) 1.32.43.3
12th (26) Damian Cole/Nicky Grist (Darrian) 1.33.12.8

Since our last Rally News Michael Barrable has decided to retire his Impreza WRC. Michael and co driver Dermot O'Gorman slipped from 2nd to 5th when the car would not restart at overnight parc ferme, and the pair suffered 45s road penalties as a result. We did say that Michael had lost heart, but on double checking the times, he in fact set fastest time through stage 10, but did not go to stage 11, pulling the car at service. It has transpired that driving through the service area a drive shaft sheared at the bolts and did other damage, and it was not possible to get the car repaired within the time. Kenny McKinstry was fastest through stage 11, but dropped quite a few seconds to Boland in stage 12, so in no way can afford to relax with 4 stages still remaining. Melvyn Evans is looking very solid in 3rd.  Liam McCarthy dropped time in stage 12 when he slid off the road, then drove conservatively as a mud filled rear wheel led him to suspect he may have had a puncture. However, the car is undamaged and Liam's 4th place looks to be in no danger.  Maurice Gass really got the hammer down through stages 11 and 12 to get right up amongst the fastest times and move ahead of Steve Fleck.

Phil Collins' earlier water leak has been sorted out and the Welshman was very much back on song through Castletown and Shannondale.

In the battle for gpN Kieran O'Callaghan was faster than Bob Fowden through stage 12 although he did drop a few seconds in stage 11, but local man Kieran should hold on to the gpN lead if he keeps everything together.

In the Historic section of the rally, after 2 stages, John and Christie Farrell continue to lead in their Escort, while Frank Cunningham in the Mini was on a real charge and looked to be heading into 2nd place.

More news later. BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON (with thanks to Ciara and John plus Dougie)