Once again Gareth MacHale was fastest, his Focus now handling really well, and although this Topaz Donegal Rally has an awfully long way to go, Gareth, for the moment anyway, is looking very secure in the lead. Next on the menu for the drivers is the blast through the streets of Buncrana, which will make up stages 5 & 6. 2nd placed Craig Breen is more pleased with his pace now, and reckons he should have been doing that from the start. Seamus Leonard in 3rd has survived his gearbox and intercom problems well, and turned in the 4th fastest time in stage 4. Tim McNulty improved from 7th to 5th in that stage 4, and is going to have his Subaru’s gearbox changed here at service. Citroen Tarmac Championship leader Alastair Fisher is really struggling to match the pace of the cars in front, and really wants a bit of damp weather to even things up a bit! Danny MacBride’s Lancer is reportedly parked up in stage 4. Robert Barrable has confirmed that he continues to have a great run, with no problems, to lead the Citroen Racing Trophy contenders. Keith Cronin’s Lancer continues to have turbo problems, and he is now a long way behind the leading contenders.
In the National section Daniel McKenna’s Escort was fastest in stage 4, although Daniel is having a struggle to get the car into Carndonagh, because of alternator troubles. Wesley Patterson had a better run that time over the Malin stage, which didn’t go so well for him last time. Declan Boyle has turned his Proflex suspension a couple of clicks, and he feels his Escort is handling a lot better. Paul Harris remarked after stage 4 that his times had improved, but so had every body else’s!
More News Later, Brian & Michael Patterson.
