Andrew Nesbitt is set to tackle the Swedish Rally, driving a McKinstry Impreza WRC, the same S8 model with which he won the Jim Clark and Donegal International events. This will be the Armagh company director’s first outing on the WRC.

Letterkenny’s Shaun Gallagher will swap his Peugeot 206 SuperCup winning machine for a Lancer to drive on the Swedish, with Martin Doherty also driving one of the GpN machines.

Maynooth’s Kevin Barrett took his Triton Showers Impreza WRC to a clear victory on the icy Carlow Car Club Mondello Rally Sprint on Boxing Day. Barrett, who mastered the difficult conditions, plans to compete on 6 rounds of the Dutch Championship in 2004, plus selected rounds of the Irish Dunlop National series.

James Foley was 2^nd of the 175 starters at Mondello in his GpN Lancer Evo 8 and Tom Holton 3^rd in his Celica. Andrew Nesbitt had a run in George Tracey’s GpN Subaru and was 5^th, behind Niall Maguire (Impreza WRC).

Kevin Lynch took his Impreza WRC to victory at the Aghadowey Stage Rally over the Christmas holidays, with Martin Doherty taking 2^nd and young David Graham a brilliant 3^rd o/a in his Peugeot 106. Alwyn Jobb, driving his father Derek’s Lancer for the first time, won GpN and was 5^th o/a, behind Gareth Logan.

Castlebellingham’s Damien Keenan plans a rally return this season, and will drive a Stan Harper prepared Lancer Evo 6, while Stephen Moore has bought Sean Devine’s Impreza N8 and intends to compete on the Southern Forestry Championship, plus some rounds of the NI series.

Brian Patterson.

FOR SALE

Our own Subru Impreza Turbo 5-door. We bought it new 1st Aug 1995. Equipped with trips (Coralba), Proflex and underbody protection. Not new but a fabulous little car. £4000.00 stg. E-mail us for more details.