The unfortunate news in from the long Bronte stage is that Sam Moffett has retired his Fiesta RRC from 4th place following fuel pump problems. Fastest of the International section through stage 13 was Sepp Wiegand who was just a split second better than Esapekka Lappi. Through the long Bronte stage it was still Lappi setting the pace and secure at the front. Wiegand said. `It was a difficult stage. It is hard to know how fast to go.` Robert Barrable said. `We are in a good position and I am not going to make life easy for Wiegand`.
Rally leader Esapekka Lappi said. `We have a good flow but on the rev limiter in some places`. Robert Woodside`s Lancer suffered turbo problems and he dropped many minutes in stage 12. French driver Robert Consani, always the gentleman as he switches the engine of his Peugeot off whenever he is being interviewed at stage finish, said about stage 13. `It was very tricky but very good`. Daniel McKenna, up to 6th o/a in his Citroen said. `We are pushing hard to get experience and learn the car and the Pirelli tyres are working really well`. Chris Ingram has had a big accident at a flat right over crest in stage 13 so Jan Cerny now leads the ERC Junior category. Reportedly the emergency services have been sent in to that stage 13 so the stage is temporarily halted. The Peugeot of Gino Bux has emerged from stage 13 having been on its roof but is still going.
In the National category Garry Jennings produced a fabulous time through the Bronte test while Declan Boyle was not quite up to his usual speed and the gap between the first two suddenly jumped to 55s. Desi Henry`s Subaru was up to 6th o/a but has stopped in SS12 with overheating trouble. Niall Henry retired his Lancer yesterday when a cam sensor failed. Camillus Bradley had his Escort up to 8th and he is reportedly also stopped, reason as yet unknown. Alan Carmichael retired his hired Mini WRC because the rear diff was burned out when he drove for 15 miles with the handbrake on. Stanley Ballantine`s Lancer was parked up on the motorway this morning, a burnt out master switch the cause.
Latest news on the stage 13 incident is that the National Rally is now on alternative road book and will not be doing that stage.
More news later: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net with thanks to Michael & Zoe Patterson *Follow RallyNews on Twitter @Pacenotes or @Real_RallyNews
