McHale continues to move up leader board

Austin MacHale and his co-driver, Brian Murphy, continue to move up the leader board of the Network Q Rally of Great Britain. In this morning’s first stage of the second leg, Resolfen, one of the longest stages in the World Rally Championship at 54.69 km, their Tom Hogan Motors/Michelin supported Corolla WRC moved into 23rd place in overall classification.

The three remaining Irish drivers also made it to the finish of the demanding stage. Niall McShea in his RML prepared Opel Corsa is 42nd. overall but has slipped to fifth in the Junior WRC category.

Kris Meeke (Ford Puma) is 47th overall while, Eamonn Boland, has dropped down to 64th overall.

Yesterday, Stephen Harron retired his Subaru with mechanical failure.

Meanwhile, world champion, Marcus Gronholm (Peugeot) continues to set the pace and he has stretched his advantage over Markko Martin (Ford Focus), who has moved into second ahead of the Subaru of Petter Solberg.

Briton, Richard Burns set second fastest time to move into sixth and has set his sights on moving up the order over the remaining five stages of today’s leg.

Times after S.S. 8:

1. Marcus Gronholm (Peugeot) 1h. 36m. 03.1s.

2. M. Martin (Ford Focus) 1h. 37m. 10.8s.

3. P. Solberg (Subaru) 1h. 37m. 19.1s.

4. C. Sainz (Ford Focus) 1h. 37m. 23.3s.

5. H. Rovanpera (Peugeot) 1h. 37m. 59.9s.

6. R. Burns (Peugeot) 1h. 38m. 09.7s.

7. C. McRae (Ford Focus) 1h. 38m. 37.2s.