Through stage 4, which was the 2nd run over Mullaghanish, conditions were slightly better than earlier and the drivers had more suitable tyres fitted. Many of the drivers were over 20s faster than their first run through. This time Tim McNulty and Craig Breen were equal fastest with Gareth MacHale 9s down. Alastair Fisher was 1s slower than Gareth. Tim McNulty said at stage finish that he was “relaxed” and not pushing too hard. Gareth MacHale reported no problems while Craig Breen’s equal fastest time for the stage brought him from 5th to 3rd. Owen Murphy had a bent rear track control arm replaced at service and although the Lancer had not been re-tracked accurately Owen was a lot happier. Tommy Doyle is now 11th o/a. Tommy got most of the Clio power steering problems sorted out. But seemed a bit quiet as he went on to tell us that the brake discs on the car must have got warped hitting all the floods, and he is now getting kick back through the brake pedal.
In the Citroen Racing Trophy Marty McCormack was 1s faster than Robert Barrable through stage 5. Marty’s cause was not helped with he caught up with Brian O’Keefe’s Subaru Impreza towards stage finish. Desi Henry is 3rd Citroen with Adrian McElhinney 4th. Tommy Doyle leads cl.4 and 2nd in that class is Dave Randles in the ex works Almera. Aaron MacHale had a decent time through stage 4, in the top 6, but Aaron is 19th o/a following his earlier throttle body problems.
In the National Rally Ed O’Callaghan continues to lead and is almost a minute ahead of Washington James in his Darrian. Geoffrey Dolan has had a good run so far in his Sunbeam and holds 3rd o/a, 11s up on Mervyn Wedlock (Escort)> These two are battling for the National Cup on the Tarmac C/ship.
More news later: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net
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