Bertie Fisher and Rory Kennedy in a Subaru Impreza led the AA Circuit of Ireland by 22 seconds from Andrew Nesbitt and James O'Brien in a Toyota Celica after 10 stages of the opening day in Co Antrim yesterday.
Austin McHale and Brian Murphy in another Celica GT4 incurred a 20 seconds penalty for leaving the holding area too early at the start of stage eight, dropping them to third, 26 seconds down on Fisher.
After the first four stages, Ian Greer (Toyota Celica GT4) was the surprise joint leader with McHale, both on 18 minutes 47 seconds, with Fisher third on 18:52 and Nesbitt fourth on 18:55.
Greer was fastest over stage five to lead the rally but turbo trouble on the next stage saw him lose 38 seconds to McHale and Fisher, relegating him to sixth on 30:26, compared to his rivals' 29:52.
Back in Bangor the overall positions were: 1, B Fisher 47 mins 12 secs; 2, A Nesbitt 47:34; 3, A McHale 47:38; 4, E Boland 47:44; 5, J Leckey 47:51; 6, S Murphy 48:13; 7, D Greer 48:29; 8, H M Doherty 49:09; 9, I Greer 49:24; 10, D McGarrity 51:20 (also Group N leader).
The rally leaves Bangor today at 9 a.m. and will cover three stages in the North before tackling 3x2 stages in the Mullingar area, and is due to arrive at Tallaght from 8 p.m. for the first of two overnight halts.
Tomorrow's action starts with a spectator stage in the Square, Tallaght, starting at 10.45 a.m., followed by Sorrel Hill, Co Wicklow (11.20) and 3x2 stages at Kilcarney, Glen of Imall and Rotten Hill in the Baltinglass-Dunlavin area, with service at Moone, Co Kildare, on the Kilcullen-Castledermot road and the cars returning to Tallaght from 7 p.m.
