UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 3 Colmanstown
1st (2) Tim McNulty/Paul Kiely (Impreza WRC) 24.17.6
2nd (1) Gareth MacHale/Brian Murphy (Focus WRC) 24.20.2
3rd (7) Alastair Fisher/Rory Kennedy (Lancer N) 24.49.8
4th (9) Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (Fiesta S2000) 24.50.7
5th (4) Aaron MacHale/Eugene O'Donnell (Focus WRC) 24.53.7
6th (6) Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Impreza WRC) 25.24.3
7th (12) Richard Cathcart/Martin Brady (Lancer N) 26.02.4
8th (15) Jer O'Donovan/Sean Hayde (Impreza N) 26.12.7
9th (30) Marty McCormack/Dai Roberts (C2R2 Max) 26.26.4
10th (29) Sean Flanagan/Brian Duggan (Impreza N) 26.28.8
NATIONALS
1st Daniel McKenna: 2nd Barry Meade: Both in Escorts. Pat Kelly 3rd in his Impreza.
Tim McNulty recorded fastest time through stage 3 to move into the lead of this Safety Direct Galway International Rally. Tim was just over 3s faster than Gareth MacHale. Gareth is struggling slightly with the power steering on his Focus WRC. We reported on the last RallyNews that Keith Cronin had an accident at the end of stage 2 and although he got his stage time his Lancer was not able to continue.
Tim McNulty looked a bit stressed when he came in here to service but he said. “No, we are alright. It is very slippy out there. We dropped some time on the 2nd stage, nothing mad on the 3rd but a good time”. Gareth MacHale said. “My arms are sore wrestling with the wheel and I am having to hand brake on the tight corners which is no good”. Aaron MacHale told us he stopped briefly on stage 2 to make sure that Keith Cronin was OK. Aaron also had a little difficulty with the launch control of his Focus but had a good time through stage 3. Kevin Barrett made a cautious start as he bedded in having switched to Pirelli tyres for this season and his confidence is now coming.
Alastair Fisher said. “We had a bit of a moment on the first stage which was upsetting but we’ve got a nice pace now. It would be easy to get caught out on these stages”. Craig Breen is doing a great job in the new Fiesta S2000 and he is very gradually upping his pace as he settles in to the new car. Craig was 3rd fastest o/a through that stage 3. Marty McCormack is leading the Citroen C2R2 Max charge and also leading class 3 and said here at service that his car was just a little bit loose at the back but otherwise OK.
Further stories from the opening loop of stages include: Local man Mike Bird stalled his Impreza WRC at the start of stage 3 and also had a half spin. Alan Ring made a very brave tyre choice and ran on slicks which has cost him time. Tommy Doyle has lost time with a broken exhaust on his Renault Clio. Daragh O’Riordan also in a Clio picked slick tyres that didn’t really work in the conditions. We have no time in yet for Jonny Greer after stage 3. He had been off on stage 2 but got going. Mark Nangle struggled through 3 with his Impreza stuck in 3rd gear and managed to get the car in here to service. Declan Leonard put his Citroen C2R2 off the road on the first stage after being caught out on cold tyres. The car has only light damage and he hopes to get going on the Sunday leg. Jer O’Donovan is another who has switched to Pirelli tyres and he’s going well, up to 8th o/a. Tom Curley spun on stage 3 and his Lancer hit a stone, still going. Stephen Hernon has pulled out of the rally after damaging his Lancer in an accident. He was able to drive back to service and damage wasn’t too bad. More news later: BRIAN & LIZ 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
