Fastest through the opening Saturday Stage was Eamonn Boland, heavy rain making the going, as well as tyre choice difficult for the drivers. Eamonn was over three secs faster than Eugene Donnelly through the 11.43 kms Carnhill test. More crucial Gareth MacHale dropped over 12 secs to Boland to make it a tight situation at the front. Gareth, running first on the road admitted to taking a gamble on his tyre choice, opting for a cut hard slick in anticipation of a dry run over Fanad. Unfortunately for Gareth we hear from Aidan Harper in the spectator control Range Rover that Fanad may not run this time, because some problem.
Eugene Donnelly summed it up after that wet first stage, when he described his tyre choice as a medium cut slick, “ I don’t think anything works well in those conditions.”
Tim McNulty echoed Donnelly’s thoughts but added, that Gareth McHale really had taken a big chance with the harder compound tyre. At least Tim’s Subaru seemed to be on full song, having had a few worries yesterday about the engine losing power.
The same can not be said for Daniel Doherty, as his Subaru was completely off song in the engine department, compounded by being held up by a retiring Aaron MacHale. His Focus is reportedly stopped with mechanical problems.
The GpN picture has changed dramatically with the news that Garry Jennings his Lancer off the road/ Reportedly a front wheel is punched up into the guard. This lets Seamus Leonard into a narrow 3 sec lead over Alastair Fisher. Alastair did have a problem though when his foot slipped off the brake pedal on the way into a square right, the young Fermanagh driver admitting he was luck to get away with just a small off.
Shaun Gallagher had a really good time, and closed up on Alastair. Damien Tourish with the anti lag switched off on his Lancer. Wesley Patterson was fastest Modified, by just one sec from Wilton. More later, Brian & Michael Patterson. www.rallynews.net. *For SMS results text RALLY ITC to 53030 (Irl.) or 60066 (UK): Text STOP to switch off. Cost 30c/25p. Provided by stagetimes.com
