Higgins leads Nesbitt in Manx International Rally

Manx born, Mark Higgins in the David Greer prepared Toyota Corolla WRC leads the Manx International Rally at the end of today’s first leg.

Armagh’s, Andrew Nesbitt and his Cork co-driver, James O’Brien in a Subaru WRC, hold second spot overnight – 29.1 seconds adrift. Three other Irish drivers, Eamonn Boland, Rory Galligan and Kris Meeke finished the day’s five stages inside the top ten.

Higgins set a blistering pace on the first stage as he led the similar car of Jonny Milner and Nesbitt. He went on to set fastest times on stages two and four to stretch his advantage to 29.1 seconds. Nesbitt posted the fastest time on tonight’s final stage to eclipse Milner for second spot.

The Group N category is being led by David Higgins (Subaru).

Apart from Nesbitt, Eamonn Boland, who has Francis Regan calling the notes, is in sixth place tonight with Rory Galligan/Gordon Noble, in the works Peugeot just one place behind. Galligan is second behind his team mate, Justin Dale in the Super 1600 category.

Kris Meeke (Ford Puma) ended the day in tenth.

Elsewhere, Trevor Cathers is 11th; Garry Jennings 18th; Donie O’Sullivan 20th; Stuart Darcy 24th and Roy White 26th.

On the first stage, Northern Ireland’s, Robert Woodside retired his Subaru WRC with mechanical

problems.

Tomorrow’s second leg features a total of 12 stages.

The rally is a counting round of both the Toshiba Computers Irish Tarmac Championship and the Pirelli British Championship.