Laukkanen leads - Nesbitt out of Ulster rally

Finland’s, Tapio Laukkanen in a Subaru leads the Answercall Direct Ulster Rally after twelve of the 16 stages.

Both the overnight overall leader and group N leader are out of the rally.

The major sensation came on special stage 8, when Armagh’s, Andrew Nesbitt crashed his Subaru WRC out of the rally. Nesbitt had extended his overnight advantage to 90 seconds after this

morning's first stage before his retirement.

On that opening stage, Seamus Leonard (Subaru), the overnight leader of Group N, went out what was his home stage near Omagh.

Laukkanen arrived at first service with a lead of one minute and 20 seconds over fellow Finn Jari-Matti Latvala (Focus) with McGarrity third and Austin McHale fourth.

Out on the next few stages, McGarrity closed on second place and after 12 stages, he is just eight seconds adrift.

Up in front, Laukkanen has a lead of one minute and 39 seconds.

Jonny Milner has picked up his pace and slotted his Corolla into fourth ahead of the Subaru of Austin

MacHale.

The Super 1600 category is being led by Gwyndaf Evans, he’s sixth overall but under pressure from another Super 1600 contender, Kris Meeke, who is just 9.1 seconds in arrears.

Roy White leads Group N and in the Peugeot 206 Super Cup, Shaun Gallagher heads Gareth MacHale.