2007 – Murmur Chapter 3

MullMurmurs – Chapter 3

Leading Cars’ Times after SS2 (of 19)

1 Neil MacKinnon/Daniel Barritt (Subaru Impreza WRC) 20 Minutes 02 Seconds
2 Paul MacKinnon/Andrew Roughhead (Subaru Impreza) 20m 39s
3 John Cope/Robert Fagg (Subaru Impreza WRC) 20m 39s
4 Calum Duffy/Iain Duffy (Ford Escort Mk2) 20m 33s
5 Dougi Hall/Andy Richardson (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) 20m 35s
6 Paul Kirtley/Jim Kitson (Subaru Impreza) 20m 54s
7 James MacGillivray/Ian Fraser (Ford Escort Mk2) 21m 10s
8 David Miller/Andrew Bailey (Subaru Impreza) 21m 43s
9 Denis Biggerstaff/Graham Thomson (Subaru Impreza WRC) 21m 43s
10 Tony Bardy/Reg Smith (Hyundai Accent WRC) 22m 04s

(Please Note: These are not ‘Results’ it’s just the leading cars’ times after the first two stages, other cars running later may set faster times, but at least this gives you something to go on!)

Top seed Neil MacKinnon set off from Tobermory earlier this evening at the start of this 38th Tunnock’s Tour of Mull Rally – and struck trouble on the start line of the first stage!

“I stalled it on the start line,” admitted the 11 times winner, “then I forgot to switch on the anti-lag system so I did the whole Lochs stage with no anti-lag!” Things were better on SS2 for MacKinnonn in the unfamiliar car, “It was OK, but it was slippy in places.”

Dougi Hall had the wrong tyres for SS1 but changed before going into SS2, “there were lots of damp patches down Tuath,” he said.

Calum Duffy was struggling too, “I’ve got the hardest Dunlops I culd get on the rear,” said Calum, “and they still went off in the first one, but now I’ve got an ignition problem, the alternator is not charging.”

Paul Kirtley was on the wrong tyres and having to back off because he was in danger of making contact with the scenery while James MacGillivray was another concerned about the right tyre choice but please with his new engine.

Tony Bardy was relieved just to get the notoriously difficult Hyundai off the start line but John Cope puncture a front wheel in SS2. Paul MacKinnon is on a charge, catching Bardy before the stage finish and Eddie O’Donnell’s engine cut out and stopped dead for 3 or 4 minutes in SS2 although it’s going again.

That’s yer lot for now,.

Yer auld pal, Jaggy Bunnet, Salen Hotel 9.30 pm, Friday

If you want to print this document out, please the link below:

2007 Tunnock's Tour of Mull – Mull Murmur 3

This file is an Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) file. If you can't open the file, you may need to download and install the free of charge Adobe Acrobat Reader. This can be obtained from Adobe by clicking HERE.

Published October 10, 2009

2009 – Murmur Chapter 4

MullMurmurs – Chapter 4

Provisional Leaderboard after SS5 (of 17)

1 MacKinnon/MacGillivray        37 Mins 40 Secs
2 Hall/Hall                38m 44s
3 MacGillivray/Fraser            38m 49s
4 Cope/Fagg                38m 19s
5 Pye/Falconer            38m 19s
6 Duffy/Duffy                39m 22s
7 Harper/Campbell            39m 23s
8 Bonniwell/Ewing             39m 30s
9 Pattison/Whittaker            39m 34s
10 Sisson/Stone            39m 42s
(Note: These positions may change as more Time Cards come in)

The big news is that the boys are OK. Neil MacKinnon and Mike Stayte went off near the start of Stage 4 in Glen Aros. The Subaru suffered a heavy impact to the rear end and the boys were shaken and well stirred. The rescue services were called in as a precaution and the crew were taken to the hospital where they will be detained over night for observation, although they both walked into hospital at Salen unaided.

Meanwhile, the rally was delayed for an hour because of the incident but it’s now back on with vengeance. After his front puncture on the Lochs, Callum Duffy is back up to sixth place already having dropped back to 24th, but Paul MacKinnon and Ewan MacGillivray still lead: “Just steady away”, said Paul.

It was wet over the Lochs but it’s drying a bit and there’s more grip out there now. Dougi Hall is second but says: “I’m just not going quick enough, we’ll see what happens next.”

Willie Bonniwell is having a bit of trouble. He’s having to keep the Subaru running because the starter motor has failed, while Tony Bardy says he’s getting too old, and going quickly – backwards! Daniel Harper says there was standing water in Calgary but the front runners are dissipating (good word that) it and it’s drying out for the later runners. Dave Pattison lost time when a fuel pump failed and it took him a few minutes to suss out the problem and switch over to the spare. Tristan Pye is slowly getting to grips with the new shape Impreza. “It’s faster in a straight line and it’s deceptively quick on corners, I’m just trying to find its limits.”

Paul Kirtley was in bad trouble: “A turbo pipe blew off in SS3 and I lost power, but there’s something wrong with the suspension at the rear. When it lands after crests, it’s diving to the right or the left. It’s been a lively night so far!” Dave Hopwood says the standing water has gone – and been replaced by mud dragged on to the road by the front runners cutting corners. Denis Biggerstaff lost a chunk of time in SS5 when he clipped a rock and punctured a front tyre just 3 miles in so he had to stop and change it. Eddie O’Donnell has a slipping clutch but no time to change it at Craignure so he’s going to have to try and get through the next two stages and change it overnight.

John Swinscoe has bruised ears. He got a right telling off from the wife – for going too slow! Andy Knight has brake problems. Inconsistent. When the brake pedal goes long it shifts all the bias to the rear and the car is oversteering everywhere, but he never knows when it’s going to do it. Stuart McQueen spun on the Lochs but got away with it, reversing into a soft banking. Reay MacKay’s exhaust is getting noisy on the Metro – all these high revs are blowing the insides out of it! Stevie Brown broke a driveshaft in that last one but limped out OK. John Rintoul is losing power and doesn’t know why. Guy Woodcock had an electrical fire when the wiper fuse blew but is still going. Billy McClelland’s windscreen misted up in the Lochs and had a slight off when he couldn’t see and then had a big moment in Glen Aros. Cameron Maclean is worried about a noisy back axle and has brake problems and Jimmy Christie says: “It’s only slippy in places – but there’s LOTS of places!” And Dave Thomas is out in the Mini. It developed a serious misfire after he was playing to the crowds in Tobermory!

PLEA FOR HELP: Can anyone help out Car 53, Paul Daniel with a Peltor intercom or Peltor helmet (small) – he’s desperate!

That’s yer lot for now,
Yer Auld Pal, Jaggy Bunnet – Friday, 10.00 pm, At the Salen Hotel (in the lounge!)

Leave a comment Cancel reply