Milner leads Manx International Rally

Heavy rain and fog made conditions difficult for today’s second leg on the Manx International Rally.

After dominating for most of today’s stages, local hero, Mark Higgins, in his DGM prepared Toyota Corolla WRC, has slipped to second behind the similar car of British Rally Championship leader, Jonny Milner.

The change in leadership came on today’s fourth stage, S.S. 9.

Meanwhile, Irish Tarmac Championship leader, Andrew Nesbitt incurred a one minute and 50 second road penalty at the overnight halt due to a timing error and he’s now third – two minutes and 32.2 seconds behind the rally leader.

Higgins was in devastating form on S.S. 7 where he increased his lead by a massive 12 seconds.

Elsewhere, David Higgins (Subaru) is equally impressive in Group N, he also holds fourth overall.

Wexford’s, Eamonn Boland (Subaru WRC) is fifth and another Irish driver, Trevor Cathers (Mitsubishi) is eighth.

Other Irish drivers: Kris Meeke (Puma) is 17th; Dessie Keenan (Peugeot 106) is 19th; Eugene Meegan (Peugeot) is 21st. just ahead of Seamus Leonard (Subaru).

Tipperary’s, Roy White, in a Mitsubishi, is 26th in overall classification.

Donie O’Sullivan (Subaru), Garry Jennings (Mitsubishi) Rory Galligan (Peugeot) and Stuart Darcy (Puma) have all retired.