Donnelly leads in Mayo

In the first round of the Dunlop National Rally championship, the Downhill House Hotel Mayo Rally,

Eugene Donnelly (Subaru WRC) has a 19 second lead after the completion of the opening loop of three stages in the Ballina based event.

Donnelly, winner of the West 2002 last October, set fastest time on the first stage and led Michael

Barrable by a mere second with Niall Maguire a further three seconds in arrears.

Ivan Stewart (Escort Cosworth) was the early surprise, he placed his Escort Cosworth in fourth spot.

Donnelly was also the quickest through the second and third stages to open a 19 second cushion over defending Dunlop champion, Niall Maguire and Michael Barrable, who are joint second, the latter admitted to being over cautious.

Charlie Donnelly (Toyota Celica) is now in fourth after the demise of Ivan Stewart. Adrian McElvaney

(Subaru WRC) is fifth and top Group N exponent, Seamus Leonard rounds off the top six.

Jim Harrison, who was expected to be amongst the leading pack, lost time when he overshot a junction SS1 and on SS3, his Subaru WRC hit a wall.

David Armstrong has retired his Escort WRC with electronic difficulties.

1 E Donnelly (Subaru WRC) 20m 14s.

=2 N Maguire (Subaru WRC) 20m. 33s.

M Barrable (Subaru WRC) 20m. 33s.

4 C Donnelly (Toyota Celica) 21m. 06s.

5 A McElvaney (Subaru WRC) 21m. 07s.

6 S Leonard (Subaru) 21m. 10s.