Irish Notes
26th January 2004.
Galway’s JJ Fleming has the latest Prodrive Impreza WRC S9
for his home International next week, his ex Tommi Makinen S8
going to Niall Maguire. Galway businessman JJ commented, "It
is a while since I drove left hand drive, so don’t expect
anything great in Galway. Hopefully Stan Harper will be able to
convert the new car to right hand drive before West Cork"
Eugene Donnelly is continuing his preparations for a
full-scale assault on the Tarmac Championship, starting with next
week’s Galway International. The Magherafelt man also has in
mind to defend his National title. Eugene was, as predicted,
awarded the NI Motorsport Award at last week’s ANICC
prizegiving.
Austin McHale was due to unveil his new Focus WRC, complete
with Sanyo Air Conditioning livery, at a press reception in
Dublin this week.
Billy Coleman Award winner Dessie Keenan is taking delivery
this week of a Lancer Evo 7 from the Gene Meegan stable and plans
to do the Tarmac Championship, also the West Euro Cup, the two
series dovetailing to a certain extent.
Keenan may be able to shake down his new Lancer on this Sunday’s
Limerick single stage rally. Ideally Limerick is for two wheel
drive cars only, but if the minimum 131 entry isn’t reached,
the organisers can slot in 4wd machinery.
Aidan Walsh in his newly re-built Escort and Mick Maloney in
his Mazda engined example will be the top two-wheel drive
exponents on the Woodlands Hotel Adare Limerick Rally.
This weekend sees the Sportscar Show and Rally Sprint taking
place once again at Belfast’s Kings Hall.
Donegal Motor Club has been hit with the shock news that Shell
will not be renewing their sponsorship of the International
Rally, despite indications to the contrary. This would have been
the 21st year of the association between the Donegal
Rally and Irish Shell. Further to this story, which was well
checked before production, the Clerk of the Course Declan McKay
has been in touch to say that the "facts in the story are
untrue, while they do exist", and negotiations are
continuing.
Brian Patterson.
Obituary
There was great sadness last week in Donegal when well known
competitor Eamonn Harvey died following a short illness. Eamonn
was one of the founder members of Donegal Motor Club and competed
very successfully on every Donegal International, winning his
class many times. Despite having no great budgets, he achieved
top ten placings as well. Even at 59 years of age, Eamonn was
planning to compete on this year’s rally. He was a very
accomplished driver, a great competitor. In Letterkenny he was
extremely highly thought of, and indeed his neighbours and
community supported him in every way possible. Eamonn was one
straight guy, very special, didn’t smoke or drink, which makes
his illness, and his passing, all the more difficult to bear. He
will be greatly missed. To his wife Carrie, his three sons
Andrew, Nigel and Darren, as well as his large family circle, we
offer our very deepest condolences. – Brian Patterson.
