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| West Cork Rally |
| RALLY NEWS No.3 - Clonakilty - Saturday @ 13:49:21 |
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RALLYNEWS NO.3 Clonakilty/Service/Saturday
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 4 Shanaway
1st (145) Colm Murphy/Don Montgomery (Impreza N) 31.03.3
2nd (2) Daragh O'Riordan/Tony McDaid (Impreza WRC) 31.13.9
3rd (4) Robert Barrable/Damien Connolly (Skoda S2000) 31.15.2
4th (3) Kevin Kelleher/Gerard Seaman (Lancer N) 31.30.5
5th (152) Danny Barry/Brian Duggan (Lancer N) 31.41.1
6th (8) Damien McCarthy/Eamonn Hayes (Civic) 31.52.3
7th (1) John Dalton/Gwynfor Jones (Darrian) 32.51.4
8th (7) Trevor Mulligan/Sean Hayde (Escort) 32.53.5
9th (44) Kevin O’Connor/Andrew Purcell (Citroen C2R2) 32.57.4
10th (11) Leonard Downey/Mark Murphy (Escort) 33.07.5
On the 2nd loop of stages the rain swept in from the Atlantic and soaked the West Cork roads making life difficult for the drivers. Daragh O’Riordan in his Impreza WRC had led after SS2 but he slipped to 3rd after SS3, as the tyres he had fitted to the car did not cope with the rain at all. Ironically Colm Murphy was on dry weather tyr3es and by dint of some flamboyant driving he forged to the front of the field. Another big talking point was the performance of young Damien McCarthy in his Civic and also Kevin O’Connor in his Citroen C2R2. Damien McCarthy, who has Eamonn Hayes co-driving, told us when he arrived at service. “We lost a bit of time when we caught up Peter Lloyd in stage 3. Otherwise we’ve been giving it a good handy push and touch wood the car is fine”.
Young Kevin O’Connor now leads the prestigious Citroen Racing Trophy category. Kevin has come up through the ranks of the Juniors. The young Limerick man, who has been passing cars on nearly every stage, is now into the top 10. His co-driver Andrew Purcell told us. “It’s a matter of keeping Kevin calm. He thinks every corner is flat out!” Mark Sheahan had led the Citroens after the first stage but he admitted to a terrible run in stage 3 that has knocked him back.
Rally leader Colm Murphy reported. “I’m enjoying it now, trying to be careful. The wet roads are easier on the car mechanically. Although we were on the slick dry weather tyres through stages 3 and 4 it worked quite well. We will move on to intermediate tyres now and there is still a long way to go on this rally. I keep remember that wall I hit on the Ring stage 2 years ago. I have to get round that bend yet!” Daragh O’Riordan brought his Subaru into service and immediately the mechanics produced a new set of tyres. Daragh said. “Although we had wet weather tyres on they were useless. They didn’t heat up at all. They were tyres that came with the car.” Current National Champion Melvyn Evans was servicing for Peter Lloyd in the next bay and he put his hand on the tyres to feel the temperature and said. “Just like me in Birr a couple of weeks ago, no heat in the rubber, the tyres are too old”.
Further stories include: Andrew Fanning lost time when the heated front screen on his Puma didn’t heat and misted up. Tomas Davies in the blue Escort had wiper troubles and lost several places. Gwyn Thomas/Colin Fitzgerald in the 4wd Puma moved up 8 places to 18th o/a as the 4-wheel drive gave them an advantage on the slippy roads. Robert Barrable lost a few seconds in stage 4 when he spun his Skoda at a crossroads. Tony & Brid Murphy in the blue Mk2 Escort lost time with intercom troubles.
More news later: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net
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