The opening round of the 2005 Pirelli Tarmac Championship, the First Choice Flooring Galway International, will again be based in the Galway City Radisson SAS Hotel and feature 17 stages over 2 days, many of the tests new. The rally will also have a Junior section, to run on the Sunday over 9 stages, for drivers up to 27 years old, in cars up to 1450cc and 1650cc.

Joint Tarmac Champion Derek McGarrity reckons he will defend his title in 2005, but in a Skoda WRC not a Subaru, citing cost, particularly insurance, as the reason for the switch.

Kerry man Dave Slattery, who turned in a very accomplished drive to take 2^nd in the Classics on last weekend's Killarney event, plans to compete on the 2005 Southern Four Championship, starting with the 19^th/20^th March West Cork.

Munster's Alan Ring has sold his Impreza N10 to Co. Meath's Sean Flanaghan. Ring plans to contest the Dunlop National Championship next season, as well as his home Killarney Lakes, either in a new Impreza N11 or a Promax Lancer.

Paddy Hopkirk, complete with his trademark pink trousers, commented after completing observer car duties in a new Mini Cooper S on last weekend's Killarney Historic Rally, "I had forgotten what rallying was really about until I drove these stages." Just some of the classic tests included The Tim Healy Pass, Molls Gap, Kilmakillogue, Cods Head and Ardgroom.

The Gambian Minister of State for Tourism, Mrs Susan Waffa Ogoo, was a special guest at the Killarney Historic event. Although there is no real motorsport in the Gambia, the Minister didn't rule out a special invitation event in the future and was very impressed at the profile of the Killarney Rally .

Regards, Brian Patterson.