UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 1 Caherduggan
1st (1) Gareth MacHale/Brian Murphy (Focus WRC) 8.26.6
2nd (88) Darren Gass/Sean Mullally (Impreza WRC) 8.44.3
3rd (2) Eugene Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Fabia WRC) 8.51.3
4th (5) Alastair Fisher/Barry McNulty (Lancer N) 9.10.5
5th (12) Daragh O'Riordan/Tony McDaid (Clio) 9.20.4
6th (3) Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Corolla WRC) 9.20.6
Nationals/Modifieds:
1st (15) Barry Meade/Johnny Hickey (Escort) 9.16
2nd (9) Washington James/Anthony O'Connell (Darrian) 9.20
3rd (10) John O'Donnell/Johnny Baird (Escort) 9.24
4th (7) Phil Collins/Derek Brannigan (Escort) 9.26
5th (21) Kevin O'Donoghue/Joe O'Leary (Escort) 9.39
6th (24) Alan Treacey/Bob Fitzgerald (Corolla) 9.49
The above times are from the first few cars only and there may be some faster times come in later on.
Gareth MacHale in his Focus WRC was first on the road and fastest, Gareth’s co driver Brian Murphy said. “We had a good tidy run”. Gareth said. “Whatever happens behind me happens”. That latter remark was in relation to the Tarmac Championship. If Gareth wins Eugene Donnelly can finish in 5th or better and still take the title. When Eugene came to the end of that opening 18.75k Caherduggan test he said. “Took it easy, no point in going bananas”. Darren Gass said. “Good to get that first stage over.” Darren always get a bit nervous before the start but even more so today since this is his first run out since his Ulster Rally accident. Denis Cronin has a different co driver so he’s taking it a little easier and also had some problem with his Subaru front screen misting up. Owen Murphy had a time of 9.45.2 as he settles in to the ex Ryan Champion Lancer.
Alastair Fisher had a very good clean run to lead Group N. Ger O’Donovan lost a couple of seconds when he caught up with the struggling Ford/Subaru of John Hickey. John told us that there is some problem with the turbo boost. Kevin O’’Donoghue softened the suspension of his Escort, erring on the side of caution but still had a good run. Phil Collins reckons he had no confidence. Barry Meade had a great run despite maybe upsetting the front steering geometry of his Escort when he just touched a bale. Despite some intercom problems Robert Barrable was 10s up on Mark Donnelly in the Fiesta section.
Main changes to the top end of the programme entry list include: Darren Gass/Sean Mullally running with No.88 on their Subaru are slotted into 3rd on the start list between Eugene Donnelly and Liam McCarthy. Denis Cronin now has Coleman Hurley co driving as Helen O’Sullivan has injured her leg in a boating accident. Wesley Patterson is a non-starter. Car 11 Tommy Doyle is a non-starter and car 12 Daragh O’Riordan has Tony McDaid co-driving. Car 14 Declan Boyle is a non-starter. Mark Donnelly/Paddy Robinson will start 15th on the road in their Fiesta carrying No. F3. Robert Barrable in his Fiesta is 3 cars back.
On Le Touquet Rally Marty McCormack was 19th overnight in his Citroen C2R2 Max 9s behind the similar machine of Welshman Jason Pritchard.
More news later: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net
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