The Meathman was lying fourth in his Celica after Special Stage 1, but fell back afterwards - and not due to a wrong pace note.

Navigator Ron Guha has revealed Holton managed to read the tape wrong, knocking away a couple of seconds.

So Ron, it's not your fault, even if everyone else thinks it is!

Eamonn Boland's lead after eight stages of the 2002 Dick Bailey Stages Rally has increased to almost two minutes.

The Wexfordian has a 1'53" advantage over Steve Hendy, with Bob Fowden a further fifteen seconds back.

John Price and Tim Ball lie fourth and fifth, with David James flying back in sixth - who knows what the Fethard Rally winner can achieve tomorrow!

Leaderboard - after eight stages 

 1 Eamonn Boland/Damien Morrissey   44:49
 2 Steve Hendy/Mark Milton          46:42
 3 Bob Fowden/Jerry Hynes           46:57
 4 John Price/Caroline Price        47:29
 5 Tim Ball                         48:01
 6 David James/Jim Crowe            48:04
 7 Shay Power/Martin Croke          48:13
 8 Aaron MacHale/Elva Rowe          48:19
 9 Ger Molloy                       48:23 
10 Derek Smith/Pat Flanagan         48:38