Nesbitt leads Killarney Lakes rally

Andrew Nesbitt, in his Cuisine de France Subaru WRC, forgot to switch on the turbo for today's first stage of the Rally of the Lakes in Killarney.

That cost him valuable time and he had to be content with fourth place at the end of the Moll’s Gap stage.

The pace was set by the Subaru of Derek McGarrity, who carved a 16-second lead over the similar Subaru WRC of Eamonn Boland.

Peadar Hurson (Toyota Celica) gave a fine performance to hold third from Nesbitt, McHale and Liam O’Callaghan.

Nesbitt was joint fastest with Hurson on stage 2, but the latter, a former national champion, retired on the third stage.

Nesbitt posted fastest times on stages 3, 4 and 5 and he now leads Derek McGarrity by 16 seconds. Liam O’Callaghan, out in a Subaru WRC for the first time, is third, a further 25 seconds in arrears.

Eamonn Boland, Daniel Doherty, both in Subaru’s and Austin McHale (Toyota Corolla WRC) are next on the leader board.

In Group N, Trevor Cathers (Mitsubishi) has a three second lead over local driver, Donie O’Sullivan (Subaru).

1. A. Nesbitt (Subaru WRC) 45M. 16S;

2. D. McGarrity (Subaru WRC) 45M. 32S.

3. L. O’Callaghan (Subaru WRC) 45M. 57S.

4. E. Boland (Subaru WRC) 46M. 03S.

5. D. Doherty (Subaru WRC) 46M. 26S.

6. A. McHale (Toyota Corolla WRC) 46M. 48S.