Higgins consolidates lead in Ulster Rally

Manx-born driver Mark Higgins and his Belfast co-driver Michael Gibson, on board their Ford Focus WRC, lead at the end of the first leg of the AnswerCall Direct Ulster Rally last night.

The Toyota Corolla of Eugene Donnelly and Paul Kiely trail by 40 seconds, with the Ford Focus WRC of Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy a further one minute and 9.4 seconds in arrears.

Derek McGarrity, who is running under appeal, recorded a total time of 50 minutes 14.9 seconds, which would have put him in third place, however, his times are not being shown on the results.

Out on the stages, Higgins set fastest times on the three main stages around Armagh, it a hot pace in more ways than one as Higgins's racing boots got very hot due to a problem with either the exhaust or turbo.

Andrew Nesbitt was second until the third stage where he crashed out of the rally. This is his home event and last year, he led before a crash ended his hopes, it's not a happy hunting ground for the double Irish tarmac champion.

Meanwhile, Eugene Donnelly, second to McGarrity in the Irish Pirelli series moved into second in the rally and at the service (after stage 5) he was followed by Jonny Milner, Austin MacHale and Kevin Lynch.

The top ten as they arrived at the service in Armagh was completed by Eamonn Boland and Maurice Gass in Subaru's, Matthew Wilson in a Focus and the Super1600 Suzuki Ignis of Guy Wilks.

British Championship leader, David Higgins is down in 26th place after transmission problems on the very first stage.

On the three night stages, Higgins extended his advantage while Milner slipped to sixth and MacHale inherited third.

Guy Wilks (Suzuki) continues to lead the Super 1600 category while in Group N, Dessie Keenan (Mitsubishi) has a 13.4 second advantage over Sebastien Ling.

Day 1:

M. Higgins/M. Gibson (Ford Focus WRC) 48m. 37.1s.

E. Donnelly/P. Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC) 49m. 17.1s.

A. MacHale/B. Murphy (Ford Focus WRC) 50m. 26.5s.

K. Lynch/R. Kennedy (Subaru WRC) 50m. 30.2s.

T. McNulty/E. O'Donnell (Subaru WRC) 50m. 54.4s.

J. Milner/N. Beech (Subaru WRC) 51m. 08.5s.

E. Boland/F. Regan (Subaru WRC) 51m. 16.2s.

M. Gass/J. McKee (Subaru WRC) 51m. 31.7s.

M. Wilson/S. Martin (Ford Focus) 52m. 20.3s.

G. Wilks/P. Pugh (Suzuki Ignis) 52m. 40.1s.