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Rally report 8

Drizzle is creating problems for the early runners on stages 7 and 8 in Warcop this afternoon, with the choice of rubber proving critical.
The drama started with rally leader Dougi Hall who lost the lead in Bale Hill1 after suffering a puncture and being forced to stop and change it.
The delay dropped him from first to 17th in the time it took to get the new wheel on.
New leader Willam Stobart, who thoroughly disliked Warcop this morning, is thoroughly enjoying himself now, telling the marshals he was having 'a brilliant time' - as were Bruce Edwards and Jim Smith in car 4.
Neil Wearden's up to third, with Michael Johns fourth, eight seconds behind.
Steven Hogg was reporting a loose steering column, but it wasn't slowing him, or stopping his enjoyment!
Jonathan Mounsey and Richard Wardle
The damp conditions is creating unusual conditions in the Warcop stages with early crews reporting very greasy roads, car 19 (Shaun Sinclair and Chris Hamill) spinning on SS1, but later crews reckoning there was more grip in there than this morning!
This was confirmed by Andrew Bird/Stuart Eggleston (Astra) who reported that they'd gone faster this afternoon, while Richard Fry and Stephen Thompson, running one car ahead of them, thought that they had made an inspired tyre choice and were loving ever minute of it.
Another crew pleased with their performance so far was Gavin Smith and Ben Lawrenson. "We've never done four stages in Warcop before, so this is new territory for us!"
Chris Taylor and Chris Stewart were more concerned about the marshals, and wanting to thank all the volunteers who were helping them have 'a great day'.
Rain spots in Lowther ensured the early runners took it very carefully on stages 9 and 10, with William Stobart professing to be 'cautious'.
Meanwhile, Darren Atkinson, lying sixth, was complaining about not having enough power!

Interim results after stage 8:

1 1 William Stobart/Ford Focus WRC 9:48 9:48 1:30 1:28 3:39 3:28 8:41 8:35 46:57 1
2 11 Steven Hogg/Subaru Impreza N12 9:53 9:39 1:25 1:36 3:41 3:32 9:05 8:52 47:43 2
3 7 Neil Wearden/Ford Escort MkII 10:01 9:53 1:27 1:29 3:37 3:31 9:05 8:58 48:01 3
4 15 Michael Johns/Mitsubishi Evo 6 9:56 9:46 1:28 1:29 3:41 3:35 9:11 9:03 48:09 4
5 6 Darren Atkinson/Ford Escort Mk 10:11 9:48 1:31 1:29 3:43 3:33 9:01 9:01 48:17 5
6 5 Bob Grant/Subaru Impreza 10:14 10:01 1:28 1:29 3:45 3:36 9:05 9:05 48:43 6
7 12 David Hardie/Subaru Impreza 10:13 10:02 1:31 1:29 3:39 3:35 9:19 9:15 49:03 7
8 4 Bruce Edwards/Darrian T9 10:15 9:43 1:32 1:34 3:52 3:48 9:13 9:11 49:08 8
9 13 Richard Cook/Subaru Impreza 10:17 10:09 1:34 1:34 3:45 3:39 9:24 9:17 49:39 9
10 14 Peter Stephenson/Subaru 10:46 10:05 1:37 1:35 3:59 3:49 8:43 9:11 49:45 10

If you have any interesting stories or news about the rally, text or call 07979433054

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