SS4: Greer’s Domination Continues; Bustard Bursts Radiator
- Updated: 19 June 2021
SS4: The sun is shining here at Bishopscourt Race Circuit and with two stages remaining, Jonny Greer and Kirsty Riddick have extended their lead to almost 20 seconds over Derek McGarrity and Paddy Robinson. The Citroen C3 R5 crew are proving virtually impossible to beat and must now be the odds on favourites for victory.
Second-placed McGarrity reckons his Focus WRC is “a bit too big” to be able to challenge the leaders around some of the more technical sections. He holds a safe second position from Stephen Wright and Liam Moynihan in third.
Wright had a clean run through the stage, commenting that “the car is working well and we didn’t get caught up in any traffic.” However, the 2019 champion can’t afford to put a wheel out of place, with Phillip Allen and Ian Dickson breathing down his neck in fourth – just 3.1 seconds behind.
Aaron McLaughlin and Darren Curran were slowed by another car but continue to hold fifth from Peadar Hurson and Damien Connolly who reported an untidy run.
Stuart Biggerstaff and Chris Nelson are seventh, with Biggerstaff commenting that the car feels “very slidey”. Niall Henry and Damien Duffin continue to hold eighth from Kieron and Amy Graffin, with top 2WD crew, Barry Morris and Dylan Doonan, in 10th overall.
Andrew and Kenny Bustard didn’t fare too well. They took the jump too fast in their Evo and damaged the radiator on landing. With steam billowing from their engine bay, they opted to only complete the one lap and it looks like they could be out of the rally. Also out of the event with a broken radiator is Nicky Caughey. His “fan exploded” and damaged the radiator at the end of the stage.
John Devlin’s flatshift gearchange system is no longer working and event sponsor Fintan McGrady was a lot happier after using a hard compound tyre on the front of his Escort. Paul McKenna is struggling with a misfire in his Evo while Gary McEvoy’s braking issues are being compounded by other issues in the car. “She’s revving up when I change gear,” McEvoy said.
James Kennedy is still struggling without power steering. “I’m having to use the handbrake so we’re sliding too much,” he said. “I’m going to be knackered later!” Meanwhile, Robert Erwin managed to find a bolt to fix his rear suspension so he was smiling at the stage finish again.
Philip Wylie reported having “a whoopsie” on the opening stage this morning. He lost around 20 seconds in the process.
It’s all change for competitors on stages five and six with the stage layout being run in reverse. Latest results are available from rallyscore.net.
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