Laukannen leads Donnelly in Galway
Entering the final stages of the First Choice Flooring Galway International Rally, Finland’s, Tapio
Laukkanen, driving a Subaru WRC has a 5.9 second lead over rival, Eugene Donnelly in a Toyota Corolla WRC.
Laukkanen incurred a 15 second lead early today – booking in a minute late to the first service.
However, he regained the lead on the first competitive stage.
Donnelly, who had a few problems early on, increased the pace and set the pace on stages 13 and 14 to cut the deficit to 4.2 seconds.
Laukkanen responded and eked 1.7 seconds from stage 15 to lead by 5.9 seconds.
Austin MacHale has lost touch with the top duo, his Sanyo Ford Focus WRC has a slipping clutch.
Derek McGarrity remains in fourth place ahead of the similar Subaru WRC’s of Eamonn Boland, Tim NcNulty.
The Ford Focus WRC of Donie O’Sullivan had an ECU problem and he’s dropped to 25th overall.
Group N leader, James Foley is seventh from rivals, Aaron MacHale and Dessie Keenan. Earlier, his main rival, Roy White retired on stage 10.
The top ten is completed by the Toyota Celica of Denis Cronin.
