Derek McGarrity (Subaru WRC) set the pace on the opening stage and overnight, he leads the Buy & Sell Circuit of Ireland by some 25.5 seconds from the Subaru of Eugene Donnelly with Austin MacHale, also in a Subaru, third, just 2.2 seconds adrift.

The first day of the Buy & Sell Circuit of Ireland was dominated by the Subaru Ireland team of Andrew Nesbitt and James O’Brien. Even though they had a few niggling problems, they ended the day’s seven stages with a 40 second leading margin.

Reigning Irish tarmac champion, Andrew Nesbitt, in his Subaru Ireland WRC has taken a 23 second lead after just three stages of the Buy & Sell Circuit of Ireland Rally.