Motorsport: Nesbitt extends his lead in circuit of Ireland rally

Andrew Nesbitt, driving his Cuisine de France Subaru Ireland continues to retain control of the Circuit of Rally. After today’s six stages in counties Leitrim and Cavan, Nesbitt, the reigning Irish Tarmac champion now has an advantage of one minute and 45 seconds.

However, he remains concerned about a vibration in the transmission system of his Subaru.

Starting out today, Peadar Hurson was in second place, however, a broken driveshaft meant an end to a gallant drive. Several drivers occupied second during various times today including Eamonn Boland and Austin McHale.

Now, it’s Derek McGarrity who is in that second place. Boland clipped a rock punctured a wheel of his Subaru WRC and duly dropped to third while McHale’s Toyota has transmission woes, he’s now in fifth place behind Daniel Doherty’s Subaru WRC.

Niall Maguire and David Greer tie for sixth. The five minute penalty applied top Trevor Cathers

last evening was dropped, he remains the top Group N driver, some 40 seconds ahead of the similar Mitsubishi of Brendan Kelly. The top ten is completed by yet another Mitsubishi, that of Dickie Curran.

Apart from Hurson, today’s other retirements included Garry Jennings, his Peugeot 106 caught fire on today’s first stage.

The crews are now on the stages in County Donegal.