DOHERTY TAKES SOLID FOURTH AROUND THE LAKES!

Posted: May 7, 2002 5:47 PM

Derry-based Daniel drove superbly throughout the weekend in his red left-hand drive Subaru, also sponsored by McAleer & Rushe and McLoughlin Motor Factors and despite his total inexperience on the Ordnance Survey/Gleneagle Hotel Rally of the Lakes, maintained a steady pace and stayed in contention with the more experienced drivers.

The first time through the notorious Moll's Gap on Saturday, the intercom gave some trouble halfway through, leaving them seventh on the leaderboard. However, a second fastest time on the second stage elevated the brothers to fifth although Daniel claimed he was still being cautious and wasn't sure about the tyre compound they were using.

Despite bursting a front right tyre in Kilgobnet and a front left in Caragh Lake, the Dohertys stayed in fifth place although on the sixth stage they hit a bank at a hairpin, superficially damaging the front and back of the Keylite Roof Windows car.

Daniel's performance improved as the rally went on and he was third fastest on SS7, but by the time they'd got to SS15, he was equal second quickest with Liam O'Callaghan, taking another second fastest time on SS17, the penultimate stage.

Other than that the rally was relatively uneventful for the brothers on Sunday but they did very well to finish fourth in a time of 2h 39m 18s behind winner, Andrew Nesbitt, Eamon Boland and Liam O'Callaghan.

Daniel commented: "It was a hard rally on unfamiliar territory for us but it was good to get the miles under our belt in the left-hand drive car. It will probably take another rally or two to really get to grips with the left-hand drive set-up but the car was extremely reliable and it's great to drive".

Co-driver Michael added: "It was a very tiring rally and the pace at the front was hot but we stayed ahead of Austin McHale and kept up a steady pace. When Derek McGarrity dropped back with a puncture, it moved us into fourth place and we're pleased we managed to stay there to the end."

The Doherty brothers will be looking forward to their home rally, the Donegal International next month on June 22/23, but before that, Michael will be getting married to Olive on May 18.