UNOFFICIAL NAT. L/BOARD AFTER STAGE 9
1st (15) Damien Tourish/Domhnall McAlaney (Escort) 1.22.23.7
2nd (88) Gary Kiernan/Keith Moriarty (Escort) 1.22.48.3
3rd (16) Kevin Eves/William Lynch (Corolla) 1.24.11.9
4th (26) Patrick McHugh/Pauic O’Donnell (Escort) 1.24.18.1
5th (32) Tommy Cahill/Enda O’Leary (Lancer) 1.25.07.3
6th (20) Richard Whelan/James Whelan (BMW 1M) 1.25.24.4
Garry Jennings and his co driver Rory Kennedy looked to be well in control as they steered their Subaru back towards Galway Parc Ferme for the overnight halt. When asked if everything was looking good for tomorrow Garry said “No worries”. He went on to tell us that the sun visor on his Impreza on stage 8 and he had to tape up the windscreen for stage 9 as the low sun was proving difficult. Sadly a bird hit the front of his car and got stuck under a bonnet pin which was a distraction. His only disappointment was Ireland losing the Rugby at Murrayfield!
Second placed Alastair Fisher said after stage 9 “We did not feel over extended today. I had a good chat with my co driver Gordon before the start and we decided to keep it tidy and take no risks today. It paid off”. Third placed Roy White/James O’Brien in their Fiesta WRC finished the day and told us. “Very pleased, we feel it is a solid 3rd place and our main aim is to settle the car for the National championship”.
We mentioned earlier that there was no sign of Declan Boyle at the end of SS7. On the advice of Engineer Tom Gahan he did call it a day as his Fiesta WRC was still on 3 cylinders. Sam Moffett said the low sun was a disaster for him through stage 8 and took away his confidence. Jonny Greer reportedly lost time at the end of stage 8 when his Citroen sustained a puncture then it was reported parked up at J13 of SS9. Stage 8 was interrupted when Aaron MacHale crashed his Citroen out of the event. Both crew members are reported to be OK.
Brendan Cumiskey lost over 20m when he crashed his new Skoda on a kink over a narrow bridge. The car has superficial damage but is driving well. Robert Barrable would really like to be starting the rally now as he is finding a bit of pace following his 21 month lay off from the sport. Damien Tourish has a 24s lead over Gary Kiernan at the finish of day 1. Kiernan reported that his Escort was off the road several times in stage 9 but there seems to be no damage and he is still going. Kevin Eves has held on to 3rd in the National rally despite breaking something in the rear suspension. Eugene Meegan dropped almost a minute when his BMW slid up a bank and over a wall.
Ernie Graham continues to lead the Historic Rally by over a minute from Gareth Lloyd. Keith McIvor 3rd.
More news later: BRIAN & LIZ & MICHAEL & ZOE PATTERSON www.rallynews.net
