Donnelly heading for West 2002 win

Entering the final three stages of the West 2002 International Rally, Eugene Donnelly and co-driver,

Paul Kiely in their Subaru WRC have a strong lead of one minute and 10 seconds.

On what was the first of four stages in darkness, Donnelly was in superb form and added an extra 27 seconds to his lead.

Second placed, Austin MacHale is now under threat from a charging Peadar Hurson, who has reduced the deficit to just five seconds.

There is an equally tense battle in process for Group N honours, Roy White up to a magnificent fourth overall, is six seconds ahead of title rival, Trevor Cathers, both are driving Mitsubishis.

Maurice Gass lost time in foggy conditions and has slipped back to sixth.

Seamus Leonard in a Group N Subaru, and the showroom Mitsubishi’s of Dominic Loughran, Gerry McVeigh and Seamus Heron complete the top 10.

The final three stages, all in South Co Galway are scheduled to finish around 8.00pm.

1. Donnelly 59m. 33s.

2. MacHale 1h. 00m. 43s.

3. Hurson 1h. 00m. 48s.

4. White 1h. 01m. 58s.

5. Cathers 1h. 02m. 04s.

6. Gass 1h. 02m. 14s.