Callum Devine and Noel O'Sullivan narrowly lead Donegal International Rally
Derry's Callum Devine (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) and his Killarney co-driver Noel O'Sullivan, seeking a third straight victory, hold a 12.4s lead over the Hyundai of New Zealander Hayden Paddon and his Mallow born co-driver David Moynihan with the Welsh/Killarney duo of Meirion Evans/Ger Conway (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) 2.8s further behind in third.
Devine and Armstrong were joint quickest on the opening stage at Malin Head with Paddon 1.9s behind and 0.3s ahead of Donegal's David Kelly (VW Polo GTi R5).
Armstrong was best on SS2 Mamore Gap and moved into the lead just 0.9s ahead of Devine, who topped the time sheets on SS3 Coolcross, that completed the opening loop. At the Carndonagh service halt, Devine led by 7.1s. "The pace is fast for sure." His closest rival at the end of last year's rally Meirion Evans (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) had a steady run and moved into second place 3.3s ahead of his MEM team mate William Creighton.
Having moved into the lead after SS2 Armstrong dropped to ninth place and thirty seconds off the lead when his Ford Fiesta R5 broke a driveshaft on SS3. Paddon was another to lose time when he spun on SS2 - by the end of the loop he was fifth 12.7s off the lead and 1.5s behind Josh Moffett, who reverted to his Hyundai i20 R5 for this latest round of the Irish Tarmac series.
Kelly, who had been temporarily shown as rally leader after SS2, but in reality was seventh, climbed a place to occupy sixth, he reckoned that the stages were dustier than expected.
Armstrong set a blistering pace on SS4 and SS5 and admitted to being a bit cautious on SS6 where the level of grip varied. Serving notice of intent he trimmed 9.3s off Devine's lead to leave the gap between them at 20.7s with 14 stages remaining over today (Saturday) and tomorrow.
Leader Devine put the event in perspective saying: "There's no let-up in it, the pace is as fast as it's ever been, a second here and there, that's what you get when you bring professional drivers here.
"It's trying to stay out of bother but you need to be on the pipe, but we are definitely happy. It's another big day tomorrow."
Paddon enjoyed his afternoon as he continued to tweak his Hyundai, adding: "We are still struggling a bit, just for the feeling in the car and the roads are very demanding. You have got to have a lot of confidence in these stages with the car and in the conditions, I'm enjoying it but to be at the maximum, you need to be a hundred percent."
Third placed Evans had what he described as his best Friday in Donegal with a strong pace without taking any risks.
Josh Moffett completed the top six overnight. In what is set to be an absorbing battle, there are eight stages today and six on Sunday.
Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally (Round 4, NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship) Letterkenny
1. C. Devine/N. O'Sullivan (Skoda Fabia RS Rally) 41m. 18.2s
2. H. Paddon/D. Moynihan (Hyundai i20 Rally2)+12.4s
3. M. Evans/G. Conway (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2)+15.2s
4. W. Creighton/L. Regan (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2)+15.4s
5. J. Armstrong/S. Byrne (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+20.7s
6. J. Moffett/A. Hayes (Hyundai i20 R5)+28.9s
7. D. Kelly/A. Kierans (VW Polo R5)+41.3s
8. D. Boyle/P. Walsh (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+44.9s
9. M. Boyle/D. McCafferty (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+53.7s
10. K. Eves/C. Melly (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m. 26.8s.
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