Nesbitt overcomes hiccup to retain lead

Even though part of the rear suspension system of his Subaru WRC collapsed on SS18, Andrew Nesbitt retains a significant advantage on the Shell Donegal International Rally.

In today’s third and final leg, he is one minute and ten seconds ahead of his main rival, Eugene Donnelly after the completion of two of today’s six stages.

Derek McGarrity continues in third, the tracking of his Subaru WRC somewhat awry on the opening two stages.

Eamonn Boland began the day in fourth after his two-minute penalty was scrubbed.

But Paul Harris has crashed his Subaru out of fifth place and the rally on stage 18.

That promoted Peadar Hurson into fifth spot with Daniel Doherty - with top local driver - into sixth.

Seamus Leonard continues to dominate Group N where he has a 39 second lead over his showroom class rival, Roy White.

Garry Jennings, one of the start performers of the rally, has retired. His demise came on today’s opening stage, when his Peugeot 106 ground to halt in Glin village.

1. A. Nesbitt/J. O'Brien (Subaru WRC) 1h. 59m. 35s.

2. E. Donnelly/P. Kiely (Subaru WRC) 2h. 00m. 45s.

3. D. McGarrity/D. O'Gorman (Subaru WRC) 2h. 01m. 26s.

4. E. Boland/D. Morrissey (Subaru WRC) 2h. 02m. 19s.

5. P. Hurson/I. Porter (Subaru WRC) 2h. 03m. 11s.

6. D. Doherty/M. Doherty (Subaru WRC) 2h. 03m. 44s.

7. 8. S. Leonard/P. McLaughlin (Subaru Gp. N) 2h.07m. 22s.

8. R. White/G. Shinnors (Mitsubishi Gp. N) 2h. 08m.01s.

9. G. Allen/J. Gallagher (Escort WRC) 2h. 09m. 33s.

10. K. Lynch/M. McNicholl (Subaru WRC) 2h. 10m. 07s.