Nesbitt sets pace in Ulster

Heavy rain marred the first three stages of the Ulster Rally as reigning Irish champion Andrew Nesbitt set the pace.

Nesbitt pulled out a 42-second lead over fellow Subaru driver Tapio Laukkanen over the first three stages while reigning Pirelli British Rally champion Jonny Milner made steady progress as he looks to seal a second straight title.

The Yorkshireman lies sixth in his Toyota, over a minute and half down on Nesbitt but within 50 seconds of the only drivers capable of offering a genuine title challenge, Laukkanen and fourth-placed Austin McHale.

2003 Pirelli British Rally Championship, Armagh

Leading Positions after 3rd stage of 16:

1 Andrew Nesbitt Subaru Impreza 24mins 35.4secs,

2 Tapio Laukkanen Subaru Impreza at 42.4secs,

3 Derek McGarrity Subaru at 58.3,

4 Austin McHale Subaru at 1:00.1,

5 Jari-Matti Latvala Ford Focus at 1:08.6,

6 Jonny Milner Toyota Corolla at 1:32.4,

7 Leon Pesticcio Fiat Punto at 1:36.3,

8 Maurice Gass Subaru Impreza at 1:42.9,

9 Gwyndaf Evans MG ZR at 1:49.3,

10 Andrew Stewart Mitsubishi Lancer E6 at 2:03.1