After scrutiny following this morning’s session, Keohane’s Meritus run car was found to have contravened the technical regulations.

It appears that the vertical gurney, part of the rear wing was 2mm. over the 900 mm allowed width.

It certainly is cruel luck on the Cork driver and his team manager, Roberta Costa, has taken has taken full responsibility for the error.

The gurney used was a 2000 specification unit and it appears that no extra advantage was gained.

Keohane, Robbie Kerr and Ernani Judice dominated the session. Mark Mayall held pole initially, Keohane then posted fastest time with 15 minutes remaining.

Judice and Kerr went on to set fastest laps and with 12 minutes of the session remaining, Kerr and Keohane were the top duo. Judice went off and the session was red flagged with six minutes left on the clock.

When the session resumed, Kerr maintained pole position even though Keohane narrowed the deficit. On the final lap, Gilmore posted his fastest time to come from the back of the pack up into third.

At present, Kerr, Keohane, Gilmore and Kazuki Hoshino are the top four. However, the placings are set to be amended with the unfortunate Keohane dropping to the back of the grid.

The second qualifier takes place later this afternoon.

Meanwhile, in Lurgan Park, in the Seat Lurgan Park Rally and Challenge Time Trial, Gwyndaf Evans, in his SEAT WRC is the early leader. The Welsh driver is 1.3 seconds ahead of the Metro 6R4 of Denis Biggerstaff and the Subaru WRC of Derek McGarrity, who share second place.

Gary White (Escort Cosworth) and Maurice Gass (Subaru WRC) are a further second behind.

Kenny McKinstry, who is seeking his tenth victory, is 9.4 seconds off the lead having overshot a junction.