James sets the standard
Fethard Rally Report 11
Saturday, June 15 2002 - 1:15pm
John Dier and Will Downing - Shielbaggin

Gorey's David James has so far lived up to his top billing by thundering through the opening stage of the Fethard Rally fifteen seconds quicker than his nearest rival.

James, partnered by Ron Guha, zipped through the ten miles in 9 minutes, 6 seconds, with fellow Wexfordian Liam Wall - who lives close to the route - next best on 9:21. Tipperary's David Percy lies third a further two seconds back from Wall, the tightest of margins dividing him from Carlow driver John Nolan back in fourth.

Another Wexford native, Waterford-based Eamonn Murphy, lies fifth, with Kilkenny's Enda O'Brien in sixth spot, 36 seconds behind the leader.

Wexford town's Mark Kennedy is leading the non-Escort charge.

With brother Derek alongside him in their Opel Corsa, they're within 39 seconds of the leading Ford.

It's back to the Escorts in eighth via Carlow's John Hennessy sharing the same time as Tomas O'Rourke's Astra, with another Slaneyside competitor Joe Redmond completing the top ten.

Only seven seconds seperate places six to ten, and if the conditions stay as dry as they were for the first stage, wholesale changes in the leaderboard are likely by the time the cars reach the finish line for a second time.

Most drivers who may have been awake late last night may have dispaired about the impending weather for today's event, as there had been quite a steady drizzle around 2am this morning.

Thankfully, the slight wind and warm temperature have made racing conditions almost perfect.

The weather is playing a huge part in spectator numbers being high.

Leaderboard - After Stage One
 1  1 - David James     Ford Escort 2000  09:06
 2  3 - Liam Wall       Ford Escort 1993  09:21
 3  4 - David Percy     Ford Escort 2000  09:23
 4  2 - John Nolan      Ford Escort 2000  09:24
 5  7 - Eamon Murphy    Ford Escort 2000  09:38
 6 21 - Enda O' Brien   Ford Escort 1600  09:42
 7 11 - Mark Kennedy    Opel Corsa 1600   09:45
 8  6 - John Hennessy   Ford Escort 1997  09:48
 8  9 - Tomas O'Rourke  Opel Astra 1993	  09:48
10 44 - Joe Redmond     Peugeot 306 1998  09:49