Irish dominate Jim Clark rally

Irish drivers put their knowledge of tarmac conditions to good use to dominate the 33rd Jim Clark Memorial Rally as the event returned to Edinburgh.

After this morning’s carnage caused by treacherously wet tarmac stages and difficult tyre choices the event settled down this afternoon and there were no further retirements.

As the crews returned to Edinburgh this evening for the finish of Leg one Irish drivers accounted for seven positions in the top 10.

Andrew Nesbitt, in the Subaru Impreza, led the way from Derek McGarrity, also in an Impreza, by just under a minute.

A mere seven-tenths behind McGarrity is England’s main hope and reigning British Rally Champion Jonny Milner in his Toyota Corolla.

Many of the fancied runners all came to grief on the same corner of the same stage this morning, including Welshman Gwyndaf Evans (MG ZR).

Joint championship leader Tapio Laukkanen and young Finnish driver Jari-Matti Latvala also crashed out.

Latvala’s co-driver Carl Williamson was taken to hospital following the incident which saw the Finn go out of the event.

The rally continues tomorrow morning with eight more demanding Berwickshire stages before the finish at Edinburgh’s Ocean Terminal at 2.30pm.