NATIONAL: 1st Wesley Patterson 2.24.17.7: 2nd Rodney Wilton 2.24.49.2: 3rd Manus Kelly 2.25.50.9: 4th Gary McPhillips 2.26.02.5: 5th Daniel McKenna 2.28.36.6: 6th Maurice Moffett 2.28.54.6
The top cars have just completed the Gortnabrade/Glen stage which leaves 2 stages to go, Port Lake and Atlantic Drive. When they got to the end of that Glen road several of the top drivers made the comment that it was a matter now of getting their cars home. Gareth McHale’s exact words were “Get her home now”. Eugene Donnelly was fastest through the stage by 5s from Eamonn Boland with Gareth a further 4s back. Eugene said that everything was fixed on his Skoda and the car was working well again. Eugene also said. “Maybe you could wish my daughter Monica a happy 13th birthday. I was doing this rally the weekend she was born!” Sean Devine in 4th said he was driving very much in the middle of the road but at the same time keeping an eye on Daniel Doherty’s times. Glenn Allen stiffened up the suspension on his Corolla and also tried to get the tyre pressures correct this time. Although Glenn Allen had a good time there’s really not much chance of him catching PJ McDermott in front.
Seamus Leonard continues to lead group N very conclusively from Damien Tourish. Damien in turn has a big cushion to the car behind and Damien said he even has time to look at the beautiful Donegal scenery! There is still a battle however for 10th o/a and 3rd in group N with Donagh Kelly pushing Danny McBride very hard. Tarmac Championship contender Rory Byrne has retired his Lancer after the engine refused to fire up at the start of a stage this morning.
In the National rally Wesley Patterson had another fastest time 3s upon Rodney Wilton. Daniel McKenna seems to have eased back ever so slightly to preserve his position. Daniel leads his class. John O’Donnell/Johnny Baird were competing today in the “Super Rally”. They clipped the rear of their Escort on a 5 left on Atlantic Drive near Kevin Lynch’s corner and have been forced to retire as the back axle of the car is bent. Johnny said. “Retiring twice from the one rally, that’s a first for us!”
More news later: BRIAN, LIZ & MICHAEL PATTERSON www.rallynews.net
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