NATIONAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 3
1st (14) Daniel McKenna/Andrew Grennan (Escort) 25.56.1
2nd (25) Barry Meade/Eamonn Hayes (Escort) 26.23.0
3rd (21) Damien Gallagher/Mac Walsh (Escort) 26.24.4
4th Wesley Patterson 5th John Dalton 6th Paul Harris 7th Brian Brogan 8th Eugene Ferry 9th Martin McGee 10th Manus Kelly
Alastair Fisher and his co driver Rory Kennedy were fastest through the Atlantic Drive stage as well as Glen to take the lead of this Topaz Donegal International Rally. Tim McNulty led initially but was driving conservatively through stages 2 and 3 to save his Subaru’s tyres. Alastair was able to drive round a problem with his Fiesta S2000 in stage 2. The throttle stuck open about a mile and a half from the finish. McNulty reckoned he was on the wrong rubber. He said. “Tyre choice is a gambling game”.
Leading retirements so far include: David Bogie’s Metro 6R4 stopped in SS2 with a mechanical problem: Phil Collins crashed his Escort into the bog at the first proper right hand bend in the Glen stage, both Phil and co driver Derek Brannigan reported to be OK.
Seamus Leonard was 2nd fastest through the Glen stage 4s up on Derek McGarrity. Daragh O’Riordan picked a wet weather set up for his Subaru and his co driver Tony McDaid said. “It was a disaster earlier on. The car wouldn’t turn in. Then Glen was half wet and half dry so it is swings and roundabouts really.” Kevin Barrett has reduced the anti lag pressure on his Subaru to combat the smoke coming into the car. It wasn’t Sean having a quick cigarette! Garry Jennings lost some time in stage 2 when a pipe came adrift on his Lancer’s power steering. Phillip Morrow has crunched the front corner of his Lancer on a tightening right hand bend just before Glen village. Alan Ring has little experience of the Donegal Rally and he said here at service. “What a brilliant start, 3 classic stages. I’m happy with the way its going and I’m here to learn”. Donagh Kelly in the Airtricity Lancer is finding it very slippy in patches, particularly under the trees.
Daniel McKenna had a huge moment on Atlantic Drive in front of Cahal Curley and Austin Frazer when his Escort clipped a wall and bent the axle. Rodney Wilton’s Escort suffered a puncture on the first stage and held up Manus Kelly slightly. Scott McElhinney led Mark Sheahan by 6s after the first stage in the race for Citroen Racing Trophy points. Arthur Kierans and his son Mac (whom we believe is the youngest competitor on the rally) were leading class 12 after SS1. Kenny Bustard’s Lancer is suffering a misfire.
In stage 4 on the Acropolis Rally Petter Solberg/Chris Patterson were again fastest. Ostberg has stopped. Petter leads by 28.7s from Latvala with Hirvonen 3rd.
More news later: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net (with thanks to Michael Patterson) *For SMS results text RALLY ITC to 53030 (Irl) or RALLY ITC to 60066 (UK). Cost 30c/25p. Text STOP to switch off. Provided by stagetimes.com
