Motorsport: Evans leads Irishmobiles.com west Cork rally

Through today’s eight stages, Melvyn Evans, in an Escort World Rally Car was virtually untouchable.

The only blemish came on S.S. 1, Ring, just outside Clonakilty, when he spun, however, he regained his composure to take an instant lead.

Jim Harrison, driving a McKinstry prepared Subaru WRC, was the initial opposition, however, at the Clonakilty overnight halt, it is the similar car of Steve Fleck, who is in second place – 33 seconds adrift of the rally leader.

Pete Doughty, is an additional 19 seconds behind in third place with Harrison slotting into fourth, his

Subaru suffering clutch difficulties.

John Price, in a Metro 6R4, is finding it difficult against the more modern cars, he’s fifth.

The top Irish driver is Tommy Graham, debuting a Subaru WRC, the Kildare driver is in sixth place, he had an anxious moment on S.S.4 and on one of today’s final stages, he lost several seconds trying to overtake the Metro 6R4 of Tony Davies.

Ollie O’Donovan, in the EARS Subaru Legacy, is seventh and the overnight top ten is rounded off by J.J. Fleming (Subaru WRC)) Tony Davies (Metro) and the Mk. 2 Escort of Phil Collins.

Liam McCarthy (Toyota Corolla) and Bob Fowden (Mitsubishi) were today’s principal retirements.

There are eight more stages tomorrow.

End of day 1:

1. M. Evans (Escort WRC) 1H. 00M. 11s.

2. S. Fleck (Subaru WRC) 1H. 00M. 44S.

3. P. Doughty (Subaru WRC) 1H. 01M. 03S.

4. J. Harrison (Subaru WRC) 1H. 01m. 15S.

5. J. Price (Metro) 1H. 01M. 42S.

6. T. Graham (Subaru WRC) 1H. 02M. 02S.

7. O. O’Donovan (Subaru Legacy) 1H 02M 15S

8. J. J. Fleming (Subaru WRC) 1H. 02M. 53S.

9. T. Davies (Metro) 1H. 03M. 10S.

10. P. Collins 1H.03M 13S