UNOFFICIAL NATIONAL L/BOARD AFTER STAGE 6
1st (20) Brian Brogan/Damien McGettigan (Escort) 36.11.5
2nd (24) Damien Tourish/Domhnall McAlaney (Escort) 36.18.6
3rd (18) Declan Gallagher/James McNulty (Starlet RWD) 36.20.3
4th (17) Jonathan Pringle/Alan Keena (Escort) 36.20.6
5th (22) Damien Gallagher/Mac Walsh (Escort) 36.34.4
6th (19) David Bogie/Enda Sherry (Escort) 36.39.1
What a riveting opening day to this Joule Donegal International Rally with just seconds separating the top World Rally cars as well as the R5s and the National contenders. Declan Boyle, co driven by his cousin Brian, brought his Fiesta WRC into service and, still sweating from his exertions through stage 6, said. ‘This is hard work, 1600cc against the 2 litres’. Declan has 6s in hand over Donagh Kelly with Manus Kelly a further 13s back. Donagh said ‘ I wasn’t hanging about’. While Manus Kelly commented – ‘I am sorry now I did not push a bit harder through the afternoon stages’. Alastair Fisher set some solid times this afternoon to lead the R5 category by 4s from Sam Moffett with Josh Moffett a further 11s back. Alastair said. ‘Everything felt better on the 2nd loop. I was more comfortable’. Sam Moffett admitted that he was a bit cautious through stage 6 but the day was ‘not too bad’. Keith Cronin set a fastest R5 time through stage 6 as he attempts to recover from his stage 4 puncture. He explained that they were waiting a long time at the stage start, the tyres went cold, and on a fast corner the car just snapped sideways.
In the National Rally Brian Brogan has 7s of an advantage on Damien Tourish with Declan Gallagher just 1.7s behind Tourish. Brogan reported all well through the day. Tourish said he was absolutely flat out, nothing left in the car. Jonathan Pringle is 4th in the Nationals with Damien Gallagher 5th and using bigger wheels on his Escort for the first time. David Bogie is 6th placed National and he reported a warning light flashing from the dashboard of his Escort. Frank Kelly is 7th and he said. ‘I woke up towards the end, I am happier now with my performance’. Also happier with his performance is James Cullen who has settled down to driving the Mk2 Escort.
Further stories include – Aidan Wray is leading the GpN category by 22s from David Guest. This is the Clonakilty man’s first time on the Donegal Rally. Pat Kirk is down the list as he struggles to get used to his new Evo 10 sequential gear change. Callum Devine in his Opel Adam leads class 2 from William Creighton (Peugeot 208). The pair are separated by 23s. Aaron MacHale had throttle body problems and also his Skoda needed a clutch fitted at service. Aaron is 15th o/a in the International. Pauric Duffy is 13th despite a delay in stage 4 behind Vivian Hamill’s accident. Gavin Kelly is out for the first time in an Evo and he is 22nd and 5th in class. Gus Kearney is 6th in Group N, and is battling to score category points in the Clonakilty Blackpudding Tarmac Championship.
Finally for now we would like to remind all involved or following the rally that the chosen charity this weekend is PIETA House North West and all help would be appreciated for this very worthwhile cause that provides free professional help for those who have attempted or considering suicide or self harm.
More news later: BRIAN & LIZ & MICHAEL & ZOE PATTERSON *Follow Rally News on Twitter and Facebook @Pacenotes or @Real_RallyNews
