Garry Jennings was the overnight leader of this Topaz Donegal International Rally and he made a brave tyre choice this morning for the opening Saturday stage. The hills around Kilmacrennan and Milford are shrouded in cloud and mist. The roads are damp but Garry went for a “cut slick”. A tyre designed for dry roads. The technicians put extra cuts in the tyres to dissipate the standing water. The gamble paid off and Garry was 1s faster than his closest pursuer Darragh O’Riordan. Garry said at stage finish. “I had one big moment on a right hander on shiny tar, otherwise OK”. Darragh O’Riordan reported a good run as did Seamus Leonard in 3rd. No.1 seed Darren Gass was 10th o/a following his road penalties yesterday and he jumped to 8th on that stage 9. Darren did report a dramatic moment on a square left into a 6 right when his Impreza ran wide. He reckons it cost him 3 or 4s and there is slight damage to the front of the car. Derek McGarrity said at stage finish. “Too slow”. Maguire said. “No problems, wrong tyres”. Sam Moffett continues to lead GpN but his brother Josh, who is right behind him, was 4.8s quicker on that 9th stage.
Declan Boyle maintained his lead in the National Rally although Manus Kelly was 2s quicker through that stage 9.
Some overnight class positions from the International Rally include: Declan Leonard/Dermot McCafferty lead cl.1. Cl.2 features mostly on the Citroen Racing Trophy contenders and Kieran Daly leads Kevin O’Connor by 2s. David Carney is 3rd, Peter Barrable 4th, Steve Wood 5th and Sean Agnew 6th. In class 3 Joe McGonigle is on his own, so obviously leading, in his recently acquired Clio R3. Joe is still getting used to the car, absolutely loves it, and is 17th o/a.
In the National Rally Daniel McKenna and David Bogie have both rejoined under Super Rally rules but are a long way back from the leaderboard.
Finally for now we have had very sad news from Targa Florio rally in Italy. Craig Breen has crashed his Peugeot 207 on stage 8 of the event. Craig has been taken to hospital and is suffering from shock. The news on his Welsh co-driver Gareth Roberts is very grave and has yet to be officially confirmed.
More news later: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON & MICHAEL www.rallynews.net
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