This weekend’s Virginia based ALMC Rally, despite not being a round of the Dunlop National series, has attracted a top quality full entry. Tim McNulty, Patrick Elliott, Maurice Gass, David Armstrong and Noel Redmond, all in Impreza WRC’s, are the top five seeds.

The ALMC stage event hosts the 5^th counter of the Ford Ireland KA series. Enniskerry’s Daniel Barry currently heads the points from Tipperary’s Thomas O’Brien, with Charleville’s Kieran Daly 3^rd.

Noel Redmond, 3^rd on the recent Stonethrowers Rally, has acquired a 2^nd Impreza WRC, a left hand drive version. Former National Champion Stephen Murphy is tipped to drive one of the cars on selected events in 2005.

Mark Higgins is strongly tipped to be returning to Northern Ireland in a few weeks time following his Triton Showers Lurgan Park 2^nd place, to drive a Focus WRC ’01 on the Armagh based 3^rd/4^th September Ulster Rally, a round of both the Pirelli British and Tarmac Championships.

Andrew Nesbitt has confirmed he has pulled out of his planned Rally Germany outing because of an important business trip to the USA, and will instead concentrate on the Ulster Rally.

Cookstown Motor Club is running the popular Blue Circle Stages again, this year on 18^th September. The event seems to represent real value, with 40 kms of asphalt stages through Davagh and Loughrey for £150.

Larne’s Lucy Whitford is switching from her Micra to a GpN Lancer for the Ulster Rally. It will be her first competitive run in a left-hand drive car.

Garret McCullagh, co-driven by Arthur Kierans, took his Escort to victory on last Sunday’s North East Single Stage Rally. Hot weather and melting tar made the going difficult for the drivers on the Dunleer based event. Waterford’s Eddie Power brought his potent Clio into 2^nd, 9 seconds in arrears, while Gerry Smith (Escort) was 3^rd.

The government backed 2&4 Wheels scheme is providing assistance to the Ulster Rally organisers to improve spectator facilities and stage access. The rally is also promoting an extremely attractive incentive package for marshals on the event, including a trip to M- Sport.

Brian Patterson.