The first Evo Challengers to leave the chase were Darren Caldwell/Martin Costello, who were concerned with the feel of their car's transmission, spun and, on selecting reverse, broke something serious in the gearbox. As they carried on to the end of the stage they were caught by both Ballentine/Hyland and Carmichael/Lamont, but in the end, had no choice but to retire in what was their return to the Evolution Challenge following an appearance in Galway.
Having started the day cautiously, Colm Murphy/Brian Duggan picked up the pace on SS4 and, as the weather improved and the roads dried out, pulled ahead of Tourish/McAlleny by one second – their move to slick tyres proving to be the right choice. Now in the groove, they continued to set fastest Evo Challenge times on both stages five and six and entered the second service halt leading by 21 seconds.
Murphy/O'Brien were now third, with Carmichael/Lamont elevated to fourth when Cumiskey/Foley rearranged the front of their Evo after hitting a bale when their intercom failed in stage six.
With the final loop of three stages remaining, it looked as though Colm Murphy would finally claim the victory that had eluded him all season. However, when he arrived at the start of SS7 – still on slicks - to find the roads soaking wet and his car's differential pump not working, he and Duggan realised it would be no easy task. Trying to strike a balance between maintaining a pace which would keep them in the lead, whilst staying mindful of the conditions, they overshot a junction and then got stuck in a ditch. After being pushed out by spectators, they consequently found themselves a minute down on Tourish/McAlleny.
