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Irish Notes
10th March 2004.
James O'Sullivan, sponsor of the 023 Tiles Southern Four Championship, has switched from his Escort to a new John O'Leary GpN Lancer, and intends to compete on his own Championship and the Dunlop National series, beginning his campaign with this weekend's West Cork.
The ever popular Monaghan Stages Rally, 2nd round of both the Dunlop National and Quinn Border series, is scheduled this year for 25th April and will be having an open night in the Hillgrove Hotel on Wednesday evening 10th March for all interested parties including marshals.
Top West Cork crew Liam McCarthy and co-driver Kieran Murphy have had their Corolla WRC revamped over the winter, including an engine re-build, and are strongly tipped for success on their home West Cork event this weekend, an event they have won in the past.
Donie O'Sullivan, who is listed at 3 for this weekend's West Cork Rally, has been carrying out extensive suspension testing on his Bio-Clear Focus WRC. O'Sullivan is a lot happier now with the car since his first outing on the recent Galway International, where he still managed to set times well up the top ten list until electrical gremlins intervened.
Sligo's Andrew Mullen has re-vamped his ex Birkbeck Puma and plans a full campaign on this season's Dunlop National Championship. Elaine Mullen will co-drive.
Last weekend's Mayo Stages organisers used 'water divider' chicanes, allied to 30 sec penalties, as a necessary evil to cut average speeds on the classic stages. These water dividers were first tried last season with controversial consequences. Although there were some drivers who fell foul of 30 second penalties, on the whole the organisers were considered to have constructed the chicanes sensibly this time and apply the rules firmly but democratically. Tommy Graham, 4tho/a in his Impreza WRC, was the highest finisher to have one of the penalties, and it made no difference to his final position. Interestingly, the Cof C in Mayo, Sean McHugh, is a current competitor, and it would seem the sensible placing and layout of these water divider chicanes is the key to their success or otherwise.
Eoin Longworth reports he still has some places left for his Roscommon based Midland Stages scheduled for 21st March. The event utilises some old Circuit of Ireland stages that haven't been used for many years. Longworth can be contacted on 086 8179297.
Regards, Brian Patterson.
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