Irish Notes 3rd August 2005.

Armagh businessman Sean McArdle has acquired an ex-works SEAT Cordoba WRC from the Erwin Weber concern and plans to contest the Ulster Rally and Cork '20'.

The Cordoba was previously driven by the 2004 Romanian Champion Dan Girtofan. Sean McArdle used to compete alongside Ian Greer in the Taranto De Pol team, Sean driving a Celica GT4. It is possible that Niall McShea will drive the Cordoba WRC, the only one in Ireland, in the Triton Showers Lurgan Park event.

Having successfully completed the Manx International in his Focus WRC, Paul Bird is the latest high profile name to enter the 13th August Lurgan Park Rally.

Pat Maguire had to withdraw his entry from the Manx International at the last moment as the autospark who was finishing off his newly built Impreza N10 fell down the stairs and wasn't able to finish the job because of his injuries. Pat hopes now to have the new car out on the Galway Summer.

Following his win on the Cork Forestry event, Cookstown man Glenn Allen in his Corolla WRC is one of the favourites for this Saturday's NI Championship Dogleap Rally. Allen currently leads the points.

Top Dogleap seed is Kevin Lynch, who has won the rally for the last 2 years. Lynch is intending to opt out of the sport for six months, to give his injured back recovery time. However he is making an exception for the Dogleap, his 'local' rally, as well as the 13th Aug Lurgan Park event.

Further top entries for the Limavady based Dogleap include Kevin O'Kane (Impreza WRC), Kieran Shaw (Lancer WRC), Craig Bennett (Focus WRC) and Raymond Johnston (Impreza WRC).

Monaghan's Adrian McElvaney cut short a holiday in Spain and flew home to drive his Impreza WRC on last Sunday's North East Mini Stages. Co-driven by Damien Connolly, McElvaney made it worthwhile, winning the event from Pat Donegan (Escort) with Tom Holton (Celica GT4) 3rd.

Last weekend's Magherafelt MC Davagh Rally was won by Martin Doherty & Gerard O'Callaghan in their Subaru Impreza by 1s from Camillus Bradley in his Mk2 Escort. Declan McNaughton was 3rd also driving a Mk2 Escort.

The young Northern Ireland pairing of Andrew Gamble and Jonathan Charlesson
brought their Nissan Micra home to a class A5 victory and a creditable 27th
overall on the Manx International last weekend. This was the first
international for both crew members and indeed, barring a "shakedown"
sprint event at Aghadowey, the first time they had competed together in
Andrew's recently acquired Micra. 22 year old Andrew commented "We came to
the Isle of Man to try and get to the finish of our first international,
winning the class is an unexpected bonus. I really have to say a big thanks
to all those who have done so much to get me this far." The pair drove a
very mature rally, increasing their pace gradually to take the lead of the
class on Friday, before building up a bit of a cushion and then easing back
a little on the last few Saturday stages to ensure a finish.

Brian Patterson.