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Stage 1 Notes WELLSBORO, Penn. (June 1, 2002) - One third of the competitors have now passed through the infamous Stage 1. Most competitors are beaming with grins and raving about the conditions of the road. Through the first 30 competitors only two cars have not checked in. Seamus Burke went off course after clipping a sharp left hand corner, sending him into a bunch of trees. Early reports are that he is ok but the car will not return. The other retiree was Noel Nash who recorded a DNS on special stage one after his driveshaft broke in transit. The only driver with any complaints was the driver of Car 22, Ralph Kosmides. Both front rotors are the car broke upon entering the Subaru Splash. Kosmides says that the rotors were so hot from braking on the stage that they simply cracked when they struck the cold water. Both rotors were replaced and Kosmides lost no time. The roads seemed to be favorable to all other competitors, including Mark Higgins who currently holds a six-second lead over his brother. Former STPR champion Karl Schieble expressed his feelings through a large smile and said, “The roads are absolutely perfect.” Mark Higgins' teammate and seven-time STPR champion Paul Choiniere was very happy with the conditions through the first stage, but cautioned that the rally has barely begun and anything can happen.   —Ryan G. Hall