Irish
Notes - 13th April 05
Kris
Meeke co-drove last Saturday for Robbie McGurk in a
Lancer Evo 8, the pair scoring a 1 second victory over
Glenn Allen in his Corolla WRC on the 8 forest stage
Omagh MC Fivemiletown Rally. Meeke commented, "I
struggled a bit on the notes on the first loop, probably
because I had my eyes closed half the time! I had heard
Robbie could drive. The whole rally was great."
Kevin O'Kane recorded one fastest and one joint fastest
time on his way to 3rd o/a in his Impreza WRC in
Fivemiletown. Paul Barrett turned in a brilliant run to
score fastest 2wd and 7th o/a in his Escort G3.
Doubts about Eugene Donnelly appearing on the next round
of the Pirelli Tarmac series, the Killarney Rally of the
Lakes, have been allayed. Eugene's brother Charlie
damaged their Corolla WRC in an accident on the Kerry
Rally. Eugene states, "It should be repaired in
time. As a precaution, we have bought another Corolla
WRC in Sweden. It is in Holland now, at Erik Wevers',
for a re-build. We plan to keep the new car, not just as
a back-up, but for hire as well."
Three Corolla WRC's figure amongst the top entries for
this weekend's Wicklow Forestry Rally, third round of
the McCauley Trailers Championship, in the hands of
Gareth McHale, John McCarthy and Glenn Allen. The rally
is based in Lynans Kotel in Laragh village and there are
8 stages through the Wicklow Hills. Further top drivers
include Kevin O'Kane and Pat Norris in there respected
Subarus.
Sean Gallagher/Enda Sherry won the 90 asphalt stage mile
Midland Rally last Sunday in their Impreza WRC,
finishing with a clear advantage of over 2 minutes on
Tom Holton/Francis Kenny (Celica). Eugene O'Donnell/John
McCafferty were 3rd while Pat Donegan/Damien Garvey
recovered from an early wrong tyre choice to produce an
incredible performance in finishing 4th and best 2wd in
their Escort.
Adrian McElvaney had led the Midland event early on,
driving Niall Maguire's older Impreza S8. However a
slight accident and then a problem over fuel relegated
Adrian out of the proceedings.
Brian Patterson.
