Outside the Evo Challenge top three, others reported their Friday night out in the Manx lanes as not as successful: Although in fourth, round one winner David Bogie was struggling to find the right set-up for his brand new ‘tarmac-spec' Evo, whilst just behind, championship leader Barry had suffered a broken rear shock absorber on SS2 and then rear differential problems on SS4. Elsmore's had also dropped back, his early advantage eradicated following a spin on SS3 and a puncture on SS5.
Manx debutants included Simon Harraway, who lost time with a spin during the evening and David Meredith, whose run of bad luck continued when a driveshaft broke as he left the line on SS4. For Daniel Sigurdarson, the event was proving to be a real education, as this was the first time the Icelandic rally champion had ever competed on tarmac, and if it was not for clipping a road-side rock on the first stage, it would have been a perfect start to his asphalt debut.
Saturday featured a further nine stages, the first loop of three providing drivers with challenge, the rapidly drying overnight rain causing unpredictable levels of grip. Worst affected was SS7, a point proved first by Bogie, who spun, clipped a bank and removed his car's rear spoiler. Next to fall foul of the slippery conditions was Barry, who demolished the rear of his car - luckily without sustaining any mechanical damage.
Harraway was another who succumbed to the perils of stage seven, spoiling a chance of a good result when he got stuck in a ditch, lost nearly six minutes and then had to continue with bent suspension.
![Keith Cronin / Greg Shinnors - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo. RBS International Manx Rally [Pic credit: MREC UK]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/438595.jpg)
