Machal lies fifth in Scottish rally

Ireland’s Austin MacHale and Brian Murphy (Subaru WRC) are fifth at the end of the first leg of the

Scottish rally, the second round of the Pirelli British rally Championship.

The five times Irish Tarmac champion was in third place until his Subaru stuck in third gear almost half of a 16-mile stage.

The rally is being led by Former British champion, Tapio Laukkanen, who survived two punctures in his Subaru WRC to lead reigning British champion, Jonny Milner (Toyota Corolla WRC) by some two seconds.

Dougi Hall in a Mitsubishi is third from young teenage sensation, Jari Matti Latvala (Focus WRC), who also punctured on the fifth stage.

Northern Ireland pair, Kris Meeke/Chris Patterson (Opel Corsa) are 10th overall and second in the Super 1600 class that is being led by Welshman, Gwyndaf Evans.

Meeke actually led the category until a puncture cost him the lead.

In the Peugeot 206 Super Cup, Donegal’s Shaun Gallagher appeared to have finished second but a road penalty for late arrival into the final service dropped him to fifth.

Cavan’s Rodney Wilton was fourth in the category that was won by Mike Faulkner.

Scottish Rally (Leg 1):

1. T. Laukkanen/M. Anttila (Subaru WRC) 45m. 22.1s.

2. J. Milner/N. Beech (Toyota Corolla WRC) 45m. 44.9s.

3. D. Hall/S. Egglestone (Mitsubishi Lancer) 48m. 40.3s.

4. J. M. Latvala/C. Williamson (Ford Focus WRC) 48m. 41.1s.

5. A. MacHale/B. Murphy (Subaru WRC) 48m. 44.2s.

6. G. Evans/C. Mole (MG) 48m. 52.7s.