Tim McNulty was fastest on the opening stage today. Stage 2 did not run because a spectator reportedly took ill and then Tim and his co driver David Moynihan were fastest again on stage 3. Eugene Donnelly was 2nd fastest on that challenging Gortnagane stage and Eamonn Boland 3rd fastest. Tim, who has been on a major fitness campaign since the Circuit of Ireland and has lost some weight, seemed in superbly confident form when he arrived in here to service. His co driver David Moynihan said. “He’s driving very well and taking no chances at all.” Eamonn Boland said that it was pretty slippy when the rain came on and he was on slicks and he then commented. “It was the same for everyone of course”. Eugene Donnelly said that the Gortnagane stage was really good and fast, it was just a pity about the waiting around before the start which allowed their tyres to go cold. Gareth MacHale felt that he just wasn’t committed enough on the stage and probably that is why he was 11s down on McNulty. National Champion Patrick Elliott has not got it together as yet today and his Gortnagane time was over 30s down on McNulty. Denis Cronin had a slightly better run through stage 3 than he did on Molls Gap and he said that the anti roll bar at the rear of his Subaru wasn’t quite right. Aaron MacHale continues to set respectable times but said he was running a very hard dry weather slick tyre for stage 3 and it was hard to commit.
Alan Ring continues to lead the group N category but felt his Munster Joinery Lancer running out of brakes slightly towards stage finish and it gave him a bit of a moment on the final corner. Former GpN champion Colm Murphy seems to be getting into his stride after a long lay off and was on the tail of Shaun Gallagher’s Lancer at the end of the Gortnagane stage and said Shaun certainly didn’t hold him up. Sean Flanagan is finding the handling of his hired Kelleher Lancer slightly different from his usual Subaru and he’s trying to get the Mitsubishi stiffened up slightly. Alastair Fisher has had a good run so far, the young Fermanagh man said he is taking no chances.
In the National Rally for modified cars Wesley Patterson leads despite a little under steer with his Escort. Martin McGee is 2nd and Fergus O’Meara 3rd: Adrian Hetherington 4th and Leonard Downey 5th. Just 51s separate the first 5 cars. Kevin O’Donoghue in the Wrightwood Development Escort is in 6th place and he said he doesn’t seem to be getting any grip.
Further stories include: Steve & Tony Graham have been forced to retire their green diesel Astra (121) when a brake cylinder seized and a front brake jammed on. Keith Power put his Puma off the road on Molls Gap and Fergal Allen’s BMW stopped in there for a while.
In the Fiesta Sporting Trophy Mark Donnelly/Paddy Robinson led after the first stage with Craig Breen unofficially 2nd and disputing his first stage time. Shane Buckley was 3rd. After stage 3, Gortnagane: Mark Donnelly still leads. Shane Buckley is showing as 2nd: Craig Breen 3rd and Kyle Orr 4th and recovering from his earlier puncture.
More news later: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net
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