Top Modifieds:- McKenna 14.45.0: Bogie 15.06.5: Wilton 15.07.0: McPhillips 15.07.5: Collins 15.18.7: (Daniel McKenna’a times in his Mk2 Escort good enough for 5th o/a in Int & he effectively was 3rd fastest o/a on Malin)
Rally leader Gareth MacHale felt his Focus suspension was a bit stiff, especially at the back. Gareth also hurt his back on a compression jump. Tim McNulty said “Everything is 100%, keeping it calm.” Craig Breen in 3rd said brakes were ok on Malin, tyre compound a bit soft. Keith Cronin has dropped a bucket of time, crawled through stage, engine cutting out, and dropped 4 mins. Keith reckons it might be fuel pump trouble. Also held up a few following cars by a few secs. Damien Tourish is on his first rally in 12 months, going strongly, playing a wise game on this three day rally. P.J. Dermott had some intercom problems. Sam Moffett is just outside the top ten, missed the first stage because of Gallagher’s accident, couldn’t get heat into his Lancer’s tyres on stage 2. Danny MacBride has lost a little time, his Lancer’s rear differential loose. Robert Barrable/Damien Connelly has brought their C2R2 Max into a brilliant 11th overall to lead the Citroen Racing trophy. Shane Buckley is second Citroen and Mark Donnelly just behind in third
In the modified section, Daniel McKenna reported no problems at all. Eugene Ferry was the first car on Damien Gallaghers’s opening stage accident, which shook Eugene’s confidence. The stage was topped. Damien and co-driver Paul Garry would appear to have no serious injuries. The accident happened at the end of a long bumpy straight and Eugene thinks there may have been a mechanical breakage. Wesley Patterson felt he was too cautious on the Malin stage, couldn’t get it too flow. David Bogie said “Not taking any risks, the pace is very hot.” Phil Collins backed this up when he remarked “This is a serious pace”. Gary McPhillips has gearbox trouble on his Escort – going to try and change the unit in service. Paul Harris was listed to start at 14 in a GpN Subaru, but has started further back in Mk2 Escort, which had no rear brakes after Malin His time was 15.43.3. Paul’s brother Gavin is co-driving and looked rather bemused by this whole thing!
More News Later Brian and Michael Patterson.
