McGrath keeps lead overnight
Results office, Rally HQ Riverbank House Hotel
John Dier
Saturday 6th September 9.15pm
half down, half to go and PJ McGrath has kept his grip in the lead of the rally. Gareth McHale pushed hard over the final loop, maybe too hard it would seem. The fact that Gareth Took seven seconds from the New Ross man on the penultimate test, but a stall on the start line cost him half of that on the last stage, Gareth reckoning he lost between four and five seconds.
David James and Damien Tourish swapped places on the lower step of the podium, David James wondered how the GroupN Evo was putting the battle up to him so well, despite the power difference. It will be interesting to see if David might now pull a little clear of Damien in the supposedly improving weather on Sunday. Wesley Patterson, Neil Williams, Owen Murphy and Mark Kennedy all held on to their places down to 8th with Brendan Comisky now having the Darrian of Washington James and the Clio of Tommy Doyle to tend with as his opponents for the last two places in the top 10, the latter two being tied overnight for tenth.
The doom and gloommerchants that reckoned today was going to be a washout weather wise got it wrong in the main, with quite a pleasant afternoon had by all, let's hope that Sunday give us a good day for some good racing.
Top 10 after SS8
PJ McGrath Billy Collins Subaru Impreza 57:59
Gareth MacHale Brian Murphy Ford Focus WRC 58:34
David James Jim Crowe Ford Focus Wrc 1:00:13
Damien Tourish Domhnall Mc Alaney EVO 1:00:21
Wesley Patterson Martin McGarrity Ford Escort MkII RS 1:01:01
Neil Williams Eurig Davies Ford Escort 1:01:30
Owen Murphy Rodney Hicks Mitsubishi Evo 9 1:01:35
Mark Kennedy Ian O Leary Vauxhall Nova Gsi 1:03:06
Brendan Cumiskey Conor Foley Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 1:03:20
Washington G James Geoff Forster Darrian T90 GTR 1:03:40
Tommy Doyle Colin Fitzgerald Renault Clio R3 1:03:40
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JD