IRISH NOTES 18TH APRIL 2005

Niall Maguire in his Impreza WRC heads the 131 strong entry for his home 9 special stage Monaghan Stages Rally this weekend. The rally is on an 'opt-out' year from the Dunlop National Championship, but is a round of the Quinn Border series.

The Hillgrove Hotel based Monaghan event has an interesting entry, with Adrian McElvaney at 2 in his newly acquired Impreza WRC, David Armstrong at 3, Sean Devine at 4, Hugh Martin Doherty at 5 and Kevin Barrett at 6, all in Impreza WRC's.

Gareth McHale has built up a solid lead in the McCauley Trailers Forestry Championship following his latest of three wins, this time in the Wicklow Forests. Gareth takes the family Corolla WRC to the Rally of the Wales this weekend, but has opted out of the Killarney Rally of the Lakes. His next Irish event should then be the Munster MC Moonraker, round 4 of the McCauley Trailers.

The Motorsport Marshalling Partnership (MMP) is expanding its training schemes and the superb reward days this year.  In conjunction with 2 & 4 Wheels and the Fisher Foundation 150 marshals will enjoy an excellent day out, as a way of thinking them for their contribution, at Todds Leap 4x4 Centre, a Kart Grand Prix at Super Drive and a taste of Formula Ford at Race School Ireland.  In addition there will be a trip for 3 marshals to attend a world championship rally.

Navan's Paddy White, a former West Euro Cup winner, takes his Impreza WRC to the Rally Lyon Charbonnieres Rhone this weekend, opening round of the French Tarmac Championship. Martin Brady will co-drive.

The 17/18/19th June Donegal International has adopted the idea of giving 'Junior' drivers an opportunity to tackle a small portion of the rally.

Brian Patterson