More drama out on the course has seen South East Rally Champion John Treacy of Kilkenny retire from the Lighthouse Single Stage Rally here in Fethard-on-Sea.

His Escort misfired, forcing him out, boosting Clonmel's Jimmy Lambert up to second, a solitary second behind leader David James in increasingly damp conditions.

Both James and Martin Taggart described the conditions as treacherous, with Wicklow's Trevor Colbert going one step further, calling the conditions "lethal"

Waterford's Eamonn Murphy's experiencing gearbox problems in his Escort, with Godfrey Kirby of Midleton in car 144 losing over two minutes to Lambert.

An update on Kirby's car 144 has revealed the car to be an Escort, navigated by Mark Kennelly. (Don't blame us for calling it a Lada in the first report!! We only print what we're given!!!)

A large brown envelope has since arrived in the office, and we are able to divulge what will happen later on.

Rallying in 1999 is to go out with a bang - literally - with a dramatic firework display as the event draws to a close. The leading cars will be greeted by a display of pyrotechnics as they make their way into the village as darkness closes in. Most of the fireworks will be released as the final car of the century arrives in, marking the end of tarmac rallying for this Millenium.

STAGE TWO - PROVISIONAL 
 1  11 Jimmy Lambert   Clonmel     Escort      10:35
 2   3 Martin Taggart  Down        Escort      10:39 
 3   1 David James     Gorey       Escort G3   10:46
 4   6 Tomás O'Rourke  Wexford     Astra       10:58
 5  22 John Beresford  Waterford   Corolla     10;59
 6  10 Eamonn Murphy   Waterford   Escort      11:02
 7   5 Clive Williams  Wales       Escort      11:05
 8  29 Gary McGivney   Monaghan    Escort      11:06
 9  19 Padraig price   Mullingar   Escort      11:15
10   4 Trevor Colbert  Wicklow     Escort      11:16
10  21 Alan Tracey     Cork        Corolla     11:16 

TOP SEVEN - PROVISIONAL
 1   1 David James     Gorey       Escort G3   20:52
 2  11 Jimmy Lambert   Clonmel     Escort      20:53
 3   3 Martin Taggart  Down        Escort      20:55
 4  10 Eamonn Murphy   Waterford   Escort      21:27
 5  29 Gary McGivney   Monaghan    Escort      21:54
 6   6 Tomás O'Rourke  Wexford     Astra       22:02
 7   5 Clive Williams  Wales       Escort      22:03