Lynch leads Raven’s Rock Rally

In the Waterford-based Raven’s Rock Rally, with fastest times on all of the first four stages, Derry’s Kevin Lynch and co-driver Gordon Noble in a Subaru WRC have amassed a lead of 44 seconds over the Subaru of Dunlop National Rally Championship leaders Niall Maguire and Paul McLaughlin, who are a further 14 seconds ahead of the Subaru of Jim Harrison and Harvey Bell.

In slippy conditions, Lynch, seeded at number 11, was on the pace instantly and carved out a six-second lead over Maguire on the first stage, where Ray Breen (Subaru WRC) slotted into third – five seconds further adrift.

As Lynch imposed his authority on the event, Maguire retained second spot and Jim Harrison came through to third despite gearbox problems.

Cathal Arthurs is now fourth in his Hyundai with the Subaru WRCs of Patrick Elliott and Melvyn Evans sharing fifth place.

In Group N, Alan Ring (Subaru) set the pace and has a 17-second advantage over Dunlop regular Gabriel Martin, who is just two seconds ahead of his championship rival Willie Fannin.

James O’Sullivan (Mitsubishi) is next, but fellow Cork driver Kieran O’Callaghan is out of the rally. He crashed on the third stage.

Times to end of SS4 (Provisional):

1 K Lynch/G. Noble (Subaru WRC) 35m 53s

2 N Maguire/P. McLaughlin (Subaru WRC) 36m 37s

3 J Harrison/H. Bell (Subaru WRC) 36m 51s

4 C Arthurs/J. Kelly (Hyundai Accent WRC) 37m 04s

5 P Elliott/D. Moynihan (Subaru WRC) 37m 11s

6 M Evans/Aled Davies (Subaru WRC) 37m.11s