Usually the opening Saturday morning stage of the Ulster Rally would be damp and slippy producing it’s fair share of dramas. This morning the first stage on today’s menu, McGaffins Corner near Banbridge, was bone dry and conditions were clear. There were no major upsets although the stage had been shortened from it’s original 9 miles down to just over 4 so it wasn’t a huge test for the drivers. Eamonn Boland was fastest by 5s from Kevin Lynch with Guy Wilks quickest of the Group N runners. Eamonn Boland reported no problems at stage finish. While Kevin Lynch reckoned he had picked too hard a compound tyre and his Subaru was sliding about a bit. Mark Higgins in 3rd said it wasn’t a good stage for him, that he had a half spin at the first hairpin and also that he had made his notes too fast for the first few miles.
Gwyndaf Evans seemed a bit disappointed at stage finish and indeed his time was 13s slower than Wilks. Kenny McKinstry was able to squeeze ahead of Evans on that McGaffin’s stage which is of course local to Kenny’s Banbridge base. He said he had a good run but at the same time was a bit cautious for a couple of miles in the middle of the stage as he thought he had picked up a rear punctures, and then realised he hadn’t. Guy Wilks said at stage finish. “I’ve got to push now”. Derek McGarrity turned in a 5th fastest time to move up one place ahead of Darren Gass on the overall leaderboard. Darren in the Pirelli Lancer said. “We were taking it steady, not pushing too hard”.
Seamus Leonard was disappointed with his time, he reckoned he was a gear too low on almost every corner. Phillip Morrow continues to turn in a very solid performance and remarked. “I am very happy with this car. I know I’m not quite on the pace of the guys in front but I am very comfortable”. Phillip is just outside the leaderboard in 11th place 3s behind Seamus Leonard. Keith Cronin moved up from 13th to 12 ahead of David Higgins. David said he Impreza was under steering while Cronin reported no problems, the car well sorted since his small problem with knocking front suspension last night. Glenn Allen has his drive shaft problem sorted and he had a decent time this morning and is 14th o/a.
Young French driver Sebastien Ogier in the Citroen C2R2 Max said. “A good stage, too short, no problems”. Brian O’Mahony is still a few seconds in arrears of Sebastien in the race for 2 wheel drive honours, Brian is trying to conserve his Clio engine which doesn’t seem to be quite right. Alan Carmichael is enjoying his drive in his hired world rally car and is 18th place, Denis Biggerstaff having moved ahead by a few seconds this morning despite suffering from a very sore back.
In the National Rally Camillus Bradley led overnight from the similar Escort of Damien Toner with David Armstrong 3rd in his Impreza. Raymond Conlon was 4th in his Corolla and Alastair Fisher and Elfyn Evans were 5th and 6th o/a, 1st and 2nd in the Fiesta Sporting Trophy. Adrian Hetherington was fighting for the lead of the Nationals with Camillus but Adrian has dropped way back. Fintan McGrady has retired his Escort.
More news later: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net (with thanks to Michael Patterson)
