Eamonn Boland has taken full advantage of his rivals' misfortune, and is set to claim his third Talbot Hotel Wexford Rally on the trot.

After Melvyn Evans blew a gasket, Boland was left with an advantage of forty seconds over Pete Doughty, which he has slowly extended over the first six stages today.

By stage 11, the Wexfordian had an advantage of one minute 24 seconds, which he managed to string out over the next three outings.

Unofficially, Boland is close to two minutes with only three stages remaining, and is on course for the three-in-a-row, provided he stays on the road.