Derry driver Devine leading the way with solid Ulster Rally lead

Devine holds a 12.9-second lead over Donegal’s Declan Boyle, also in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, with Welsh driver Osian Pryce 15.9 seconds further behind

OUT IN FRONT: Derry's Callum Devine (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) leads the way in the Newry based Modern Tyres Ulster Rally. Pic: Martin Walsh

Derry's Callum Devine (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) leads the way in the Newry-based Modern Tyres Ulster Rally, the penultimate round of the NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. 

At the end of Friday's opening leg of six stages he holds a 12.9-second lead over Donegal’s Declan Boyle, also in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 with Welsh driver Osian Pryce (Hyundai i20 Rally2) 15.9 seconds further behind in third.

Stating his preference for the opening stage rather than the remaining two stages of the loop, it wasn't surprising that Devine took a 9.2s lead on the first pass through the Slieve Roe stage to the north of Rostrevor. 

Boyle was next followed by Welsh ace Pryce, who was 6.3s further behind in third with Michael Boyle's Skoda Fabia another 2.5s behind. Pryce was best on SS2 (Camlough) where Michael Boyle's rally ended when he had an excursion that ripped two wheels from his Skoda Fabia. Out on SS3 Slieve Gullion, Declan Boyle became the third driver in as many stages to post the fastest stage time as the crews returned to the well-appointed service park at the Modern Tyres complex.

There, Devine, who led Declan Boyle by just 3.9s reflected on his position. "All's good," he said. "I enjoyed the first stage but then the other two were extremely tough, especially with the jumps, it was a case of managing my pace. I'm concentrating on the championship, that is my target, That first stage, you need to be so committed to be on it and I'm looking forward to going out on it again for SS4, as for the other two, it's all about finishing them."

Meanwhile, second placed Declan Boyle was happy with his pace while Pryce, on what was his first outing in some 12 months said: "I am trying to get the feeling with the car and the way I like it. It's a new car for me, new co-driver (Andy Hayes) and new team, a lot to learn." 

Pryce was 10.9s off top spot and 23.4 ahead of the VW Polo GTi R5 of an untroubled Darren Gass with Matthew Boyle (Ford Fiesta Rally2) in fifth. Donegal's Kevin Eves (Ford Fiesta Rally2) completed the top six.

Extending his lead to 8.1s on the repeat of Slieve Rue, Devine stayed out of trouble and signed off with the best time on SS6 to lead by 12.9s. Boyle continued to punch in strong times as Pryce, who won the night's penultimate stage, reckoned some of the changes worked. 

An impressive performance saw Matthew Boyle (Ford Fiesta Rally2) slot into fourth from fellow Donegal driver Eves in a similar car with British driver Mark Kelly (VW Polo GTi R5) on his maiden Ulster Rally outing completing the top six. Unfortunately, Armagh's Gass, who injured three ribs in a workplace accident during the week, was forced to retire at the end of SS4 as the landings over the crests was causing him further discomfort. Laois driver Aidan Bourke (Ford Escort) leads the Modified category. There are six stages in Saturday's second and final leg.