RALLY NEWS No.3 - Service near Headford - Sunday @ 13:46:23
RALLY NEWS NO.3 Service/Headford/Sunday 13.45
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 3 Caherlistrane
1st (1) Tim McNulty/Paul Kiely (Impreza WRC) 16.10.6
2nd (4) Eugene Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Mini WRC) 16.32.9
3rd (6) Darren Gass/Enda Sherry (Impreza WRC) 16.45.1
4th (2) Gareth MacHale/Brian Murphy (Focus WRC) 16.48.2
5th (7) Garry Jennings/Rory Kennedy (Lancer N) 17.01.0
6th (5) Daragh O'Riordan/Tony McDaid (Impreza WRC) 17.12.0
7th (3) Derek McGarrity/James McKee (Impreza WRC) 17.12.7
8th (14) Sam Moffett/James O'Reilly (Lancer N) 17.18.7
9th (11) Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley (Impreza WRC) 17.28.4
10th (12) Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Lancer N) 17.44.4
NATIONAL RALLY
1st (9) Daniel McKenna/Andrew Grennan (Escort) 17.24.9
2nd (15) Tom Flaherty/Patrick Curley (Escort) 17.36.7
3rd (29) Martin McGee/Denis O'Mahony (Escort) 17.41.5
4th (19) Declan & Brian Boyle (Escort) 17.56.1
5th (28) John Hendy/Alan White (Corolla TC) 18.00.1
6th (18) Richard & John Burke (Impreza) 18.15.2
Here at service near Headford the competitors took time out for a cup of tea and rally leader Tim McNulty told us. “It has gone well so far. We’re driving at just over 90 per cent. Our tyre choice was good and we will stay on those intermediate tyres and keep the car just the same for the next 3 stages.” Eugene Donnelly stepped out of the Colm Quinn backed Mini WRC and said. “The car is excellent and we are on the safe side of everything. I was disappointed that stage 4 had to be cancelled but that’s the way it is. The braking on the car is phenomenal. I’ve had a couple of moments but its my fault. Tim’s going hard and I made a mess of the spectator stage. I couldn’t see where I was gong through the tapes and you know I’m a bit colour blind. There is a lot more to come from the car, I’ve only done 2 proper stages in it and I’m learning”. Third placed Darren Gass is having a few niggly worries with his Subaru’s suspension but still going well. Gareth MacHale in 4th was on the wrong tyres for the opening loop and he has gone on to more suitable rubber. It will be interesting to see his times through stages 5, 6 and 7.
Daragh O’Riordan is another with suspension worries on his Subaru while 7th placed Derek McGarrity told us. “The car is on European spec and I can’t get it to work at all. We are trying a different tyre for this loop and hopefully we will go better”. Garry Jennings on 5th place and leading Group N reported that his Lancer slid wide on a square left corner with rocks on the inside. Garry knocked a hole in the wall and went into a field. Fortunately he lost little time and there was no big damage to the Lancer. Other drivers to attack the same wall including Donagh Kelly and Daniel McKenna. Donagh said. “I stalled the car then, but overall I need to wake up!” Danny Barry retired his Lancer when a steering arm broke on SS3.
In the National Rally Daniel McKenna continues to lead despite his Escort having had that slide into the wall in SS3. Tom Flaherty is 2nd, his Escort’s power steering is giving some problems. Declan Boyle in 4th said. “It’s a fine line out there, very slippy in places”. Pat Kelly is in 10th place in the National. Pat damaged his Subaru in testing and has done well to get it all together and be competitive today. Competitors are now on their way to SS5 as SS4 had to be cancelled for the main field. Huge crowds and traffic jams are not making life easy for anyone!
More news later: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net (with thanks to Dougie Hughes and Michael McGarrity for distribution)
