Donnelly leads Raven's Rock Rally in Kilkenny

Derry’s, Eugene Donnelly, in his Rally of the Lakes winning Subaru WRC has a 37 second lead after four of the eight stages of the Suirway Forklifts Raven’s Rock Rally, the sixth round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship.

Sun, 29 Jun, 2003 - 15:32

Londoner, Jim Harrison, also in a Subaru, is second some ten seconds ahead of the Subaru WRC of Michael Barrable.

Harrison was fastest on the opening stage and Donnelly led after S.S. 2 as Mel Evans (Subaru WRC) and Tony Davies (Subaru) both retired.

Donnelly clocked up two fastest times to extend his lead as Harrison’s Subaru stalled and Barrable, who lost time with a puncture on the first stage, reeled in Adrian McElvaney for third place.

McElvaney is fourth – two seconds behind Barrable and some 36 ahead of the Escort Cosworth of Sean Gallagher.

Overseas driver, Steve Fleck (Subaru) is sixth ahead of top local driver, Richie Curran (Escort Cosworth).

Cahal Arthurs (Toyota), Phil Collins (Escort) and Nigel Hicklin, debuting a Subaru WRC, complete the top ten.

Defending champion and top seed, Niall Maguire was a non-starter, his Subaru WRC developed an engine problem.

Times after S.S. 4:

1. E. Donnelly/P. Toner (Subaru WRC) 28m. 18s.

2. J. Harrison/H. Bell (Subaru WRC) 28m. 55s.

3. M. Barrable/D. O’Gorman (Subaru WRC) 29m. 05s.

4. A. McElvaney/P. Goodman (Subaru WRC) 29m. 07s.

5. S. Gallagher/P. Nagle (Escort Cosworth) 29m. 43s.

6. S. Fleck/M. Aspinall (Subaru WRC) 29m. 55s.

7. R. Curran/G. English (Escort Cosworth) 30m. 08s.