SS1: David Bogie grabs early Down Rally lead from Derek McGarrity!

A few spots of rain threatened during the opening stage of the Carryduff Forklift Down Rally but the showers stayed away as Scottish visitor David Bogie went fastest through the short opening test at the Eikon Exhibition Centre.

Navigated by John Rowan, the Fabia R5 powered crew nabbed a slender lead of three-tenths of a second from McGrady Insurance N.I. Championship leaders Derek McGarrity and Paddy Robinson who are in the ex-Paul Bird Ford Focus WRC.

Desi Henry and Liam Moynihan finished the test in third, just ahead of the youngest ever N.I. champion, Stuart Biggerstaff, who slotted into fifth with navigator Anthony Nestor in their Impreza WRC. Alan Carmichael and Ivor Lamont were fifth ahead of Welsh visitor Melvyn Evans and Mark Glennerster.

Crews are now in the midst of tackling three closed road stages between Hillsborough and Castlewellan, including the famous Hamilton’s Folly. They’ll start to arrive back at the Eikon Centre from approximately 10.30am for service before tackling another loop of stages.

We’ll have more news from service later. In the meantime, follow the latest results at RallyScore.net and watch live action from the stages at Special Stage!

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