Titanic struggle for lead in Belfast

Entering the final stage of the opening leg of the Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally, the third round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, Finnish driver, Juho Hanninen (Skoda Fabia S2000) led Norwegian, Andreas Mikkelsen, also in a Skoda, by just six 10ths of a second behind.

Jan Kopecky (Skoda Fabia) is third with Alastair Fisher (Fiesta S2000), the best of the Irish contingent, in fourth position.

Kopecky topped the time sheets of the Titanic Super Special in Belfast with German driver, Sepp Wiegand just two 10ths of a second behind and top seed, Andreas Mikkelsen, a second further behind to complete a Skoda top three. Craig Breen (Peugeot 207) was fourth.

On the second stage, the 12.96km test near Dungannon, Mikkelsen set the pace and on the evening’s third stage (25.16km) also close to Dungannon, Hanninen was quickest. Leader Mikkelsen, who was just 2.8 seconds ahead of Hanninen, remarked that he had one particular moment when he left his braking too late. Indeed, road conditions were a source of concern to all the drivers with each throwing up a different type of surface. Kopecky in third suffered from a lack of confidence, particularly on the third stage. Craig Breen was the best of the Irish on the opening loop, but subsequently collected a 90-second penalty when he arrived late into a time control when his Peugeot suffered fuel pump failure. He was seventh entering last night’s final test, one place behind the Skoda Ireland-backed car of Robert Barrable.

Meanwhile, in the National section, heading into the night’s final two stages, Darren Gass (Subaru) held a 12.6 second lead over the Toyota Corolla WRC of Eugene Donnelly with Kenny McKinstry (Subaru) third. Derek McGarrity (Mini WRC) lost considerable time with brake troubles. There are 10 stages in today’s final leg.

Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally, Armagh (Up to stage four): 1. J. Hanninen (Skoda) 34m. 55.7s; 2. A. Mikkelsen (Skoda) 34m. 56.3s; 3. J. Kopecky (Skoda) 35m. 23.9s; 4. A. Fisher (Ford Fiesta) 35m. 44.1s; 5. M. Arzeno (Peugeot 207) 35m. 58.1s; 6. R. Barrable (Skoda) 36m. 14.2s; 7. C. Breen (Peugeot 207) 37m. 22.7s; 8. S. Wiegand (Skoda) 37m. 30.1s; 8. G. Jennings (Mitsubishi) 37m. 39.7s; 10. D. Kelly (Mitsubishi) 38m. 07.8s.