Jonny Greer and Kirsty Riddick have blitzed the opposition
through the opening stage of the Carryduff Forklift Down Rally, round four of
the McGrady Insurance Motorsport UK Northern Ireland Rally Championship!
The stage is still live but provisional positions show that
last year’s rally winners were 9.6 seconds faster than Meirion Evans and
Jonathan Jackson, who were stunned by Greer’s time, while Daniel Harper and
Chris Campbell are third in their Mini WRC.
All of the leading crews commented on how tricky the opening
stage transpired to be as heavy overnight rain had left plenty of slippery
sections to contend with. Standing water on the apex of corners was lying in
wait to catch out the unwary so most crews eased themselves into the event.
Second placed Meirion Evans reckoned his Skoda was set a bit
too stiff as he tried to get used to a change of car – his last outing was in a
Hyundai. Daniel Harper seemed happy in his Mini WRC as he set a time that was
just two-tenths of a second quicker than Jon Armstrong who completed his first
stage in a World Rally Car!
Armstrong reckoned he was a bit hesitant in a few places but
enjoyed his run in the Dirt 2.0 liveried Mini. If that’s what he can do on his
first stage in the car, his stage times with be worth watching as he becomes
more accustomed to his mount.
Stephen Wright, who led the N.I. Championship earlier this
year after winning the opening round, was fifth fastest through the stage
despite reckoning that he wasn’t pushing the car too hard in the conditions.
Melvyn Evans had a little moment through the stage and
decided to ease off to make sure he got to the end while Wayne Sisson was
another who commented on the standing water and mud being pulled on to the road
by the competitors in front.
Derek and Mark McGeehan are aiming to increase their N.I.
Championship lead and a solid run left them just inside the top 10 while Derek
McGarrity, who is one of their main championship rivals, was a couple of
seconds slower. He reckoned his tyre choice was a bit too hard but it would
suit better for the following stage.
Damian Cole said it was unbelievably slippy in places with
two big puddles on the inside of a corner towards the end. Steve Wood commented
on the standing water and multiple N.I. Champion, Kenny McKinstry, commented on
the mud being pulled out by the cars in front. John Stone said it was
“scary”.
Stuart Biggerstaff – another former N.I. Champion – safely
completed the first stage in what is his first time with a left-hand drive car.
He has hired the McKinstry Motorsport Fiesta R5 for the event and it looks like
he is inside the top 15 overall./ Not a bad start at all!
Ross Brusby and Dave Robson are quickest so far in the
two-wheel drive category. They finished the stage less than one second faster
than Wesley Patterson and Johnny Baird while Camillus Bradley and Crawford
Henderson are third. Just 1.5 seconds separate the top three while John Devlin
and John McCarthy are biting at their heels!
Crews are now on their way to stage two before heading back
to the Eikon Centre for the spectator stage and then the first service of the
day. We’ll catch up with them there!
Don’t forget to catch the latest results on
www.rallyscore.net!
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