RALLY NEWS NO.9                        Ballingurteen/Service/Sunday 3.45
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 14 SAMS CROSS
1st (3) Ken McKinstry/Sean Mullally (Impreza WRC) 1.42.31.2
2nd (2) Eamonn Boland/Damien Morrissey (Impreza WRC) 1.42.53.1
3rd (1) Melvyn Evans/Marc Jones (Impreza WRC) 1.43.06.2
4th (8) Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Corolla WRC) 1.43.32.1
5th (15) Maurice Gass/Geoffrey Orr (Impreza WRC) 1.44.15.6
6th (6) Steve Fleck/Andy Card (Impreza WRc) 1.44.37.0
7th (11) Phil Collins/Howard Davies (Escort) 1.47.09.8
8th (17) Tony Davies/Wyn Thomas (Metro 6R4) 1.47.40.5
9th (19) Nigel Hicklin/Sam McMullan (Impreza) 1.48.21.4
10th (23) Cathal Arthurs/Llinos J-Edwards (Celica) 1.48.22.4
11th (26) Damian Cole/Nicky Grist (Darrian) 1.48.33.7
12th (43) Kieran O'Callaghan/C.Murphy (Lancer N) 1.48.49.3

Although there are only 2 stages remaining this West Cork Rally is a long way from being over. Rally leader Kenny McKinstry arrived in here to service with his Impreza WRC leaking odorous blue smoke from under the bonnet. The reek was not however coming from the engine, but something faulty with the gearbox, Banbridge man Kenny looking very grim faced and not at all sure if he could get the problem sorted at service before the next stage.  Eamonn Boland was 3s faster than McKinstry through stage 13, but dropped nearly 10 in stage 14. When asked about the stage 14, Eamonn replied "We just didn't get the flow". Third placed Melvyn Evans said about his performance "Not too bad, but the throttle is sticking and the car keeps pushing on at junctions".  Liam McCarthy has settled down again after his stage 12 excursion, and was well on the pace through 13 and 14. Fastest man through 13 overall was Maurice Gass - 3s quicker than Boland, 6 faster than McKinstry, and when asked why he was suddenly setting fastest times on some stages, 4th and 5th quickest on others, the Armagh man had just no answer.

Phil Collins nearly threw his 7th place away with a massive sideways trip on the gravel in stage 14.  Tony Davies was pumping sweat when he arrived here at service, saying that he is driving blind in some places, no notes. Cathal Arthurs has had to give best to Nigel Hicklin over the last few stages, Hicklin putting in a very nice performance this afternoon. Damien Cole is also going very hard, and the way he is going could well be into the top 10 before the Clonakilty finish.

Kieran O'Callaghan is holding grimly on to the gpN lead, despite having to nurse his Lancer, severe clutch slip causing big problems. Second in gpN Bob Fowden is just over a minute back, so if Kieran can keep it together he should hold on to the gpN lead.

News of further retirement is that Noel Redmond has reportedly damaged the front of his Impreza and we have not seen him here at service as yet. 

Just outside the above leaderboard we have George Thaw, battling on in his Impreza despite some gearbox difficulties. Then Guy Woodcock in the RS2000 Maxi, then Tommy Graham. More later. BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON                        (our thanks to James O'Brien)