The big news coming in from stage 11 Shanaglish is that Eamonn Boland may have retired from the rally due to a mechanical problem with his Subaru. We talked to Eamonn at the end of stage 10 and everything was fine there. Indeed, his lead was looking a lot more secure that it was starting the day when Kevin Lynch was just 14s in arrears. Kevin’s Subaru started to overheat through stage 10 and he slowed off and dropped a good 30s to the other top drivers. Eugene Donnelly had a good clean run this morning and as can be seen above has now moved into the lead. Eugene’s Skoda has a damaged front bumper. That was caused by an accident yesterday. Donnelly did catch and pass Lynch’s Subaru on that stage 10 but there was no great drama in it.
Gareth MacHale, according to his time card, was fastest through stage 10 but on the results he is showing as 30s slower. Gareth and his brother Aaron in their respective Tom Hogan Motors backed Focus’ had good runs this morning. Peadar Hurson said he was being cautious over Lough Cutra. There were still some traces of ice and slush which looked pretty daunting but the grip level was reportedly not too bad. Conrad Rautenbach had his moments of drama this morning when his Citroen lapsed on to 3 cylinders, but he got the problem sorted and set a respectable enough time for the stage.
Damian Tourish was fastest of the Group N drivers but Anthony O’Halloran was only a fraction slower and indeed has now moved into 2nd in the category ahead of Sean Flanagan. In the National Rally Wesley Patterson was 5s faster than Paul Gallagher but Gallagher in his Corolla still retains the overall lead.
German driver Aaron Burkart has withdrawn from the event. His Swift showed some small signs of electrical problems over the final 2 Saturday stages so perhaps he has decided to save the car. Alastair Fisher and Craig Breen in their respective Fiestas were moved from the National to the International Rally overnight. Alastair was classified 13th in the International and Craig Breen 14th. Alastair did win the Fiestas but we now have no times from him from the end of Lough Cutra and Craig Breen has been through. Tommy Doyle has a good time through stage 10 and his Clio continues to lead the class. David Quigley/Des Sherlock of All Weather Covers lead their class in their Civic and are 15th o/a.
News is now coming in that Kevin Lynch may have pulled in on the road section between stages 11 and 12.
More news later: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net
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