Cookstown's John McGlaughlin suffered a minor blow to his Global Group Irish Tarmac Championship campaign at this year's Jim Clark Rally, round four of the 2008 series. Navigated by Crawford Henderson, the crew exited the Scottish event with nothing to show for their efforts after the McGlaughlin's Bakery Lancer was left sidelined during stage nine when wheel studs unexpectedly sheared.
 
"It happened at a right-hand corner while we were in fourth gear," McGlaughlin recalled afterwards. "Suddenly I felt something was wrong with the car and spotted a wheel bouncing over the hedge! She filled the road sideways about three or four times but I was able to hold on to her and stop without causing anymore damage."
 
"We were very lucky to get away with it so lightly," John continued. "If the wheel had come off about 30 or 40 seconds earlier, we would have been flat out at about 130mph and the accident would have been huge."
 
After such a promising start to the event, which saw John lead his main championship rival, it was a very disappointing result for the Ears.ie backed team. There was plenty of grip provided by the Kumho Tyres but with one wheel missing, it was the end of the road for the crew. Dreams of an armful of championship points, as well as another top 10 position, were shattered.
 
"Now we're trailing the Group N championship leader by 13 points," John said, "But when dropped scores are taken into account, he's only three points ahead. It's still wide open so hopefully things will go our way in Donegal!"
 
The Topaz Donegal International Rally marks round five of the Irish Tarmac Championship and John is already preparing his Sunoco Fuels and Hilltop Fuels Mitsubishi Lancer for the event. Set to take place over 13-15 June, the Cookstown driver will be back in action in just a couple of weeks!