Irish Notes 22nd August 05.

Many words of appreciation will no doubt appear in this week's MN issue following the death of esteemed rally journalist David Williams. On a personal note we wish to record our great sadness at his passing. David was a great friend of Irish rallying. He reported on many events, and competed with great enthusiasm from Cavan to West Cork, even finishing in the top ten on the Circuit of Ireland.
As a personal friend to the Patterson family, and Godfather to one of our grandchildren, we have great memories of David. He stayed several times at our home, and there was never a dull moment - for example when he had to be rescued during the night as he wrestled the vacuum cleaner, which had ambushed him on the way to the loo! We have so many happy memories of this lovely man. His truth, honesty, integrity, his determination to get to the very root of things, were a breath of fresh air in this present day world of spin and half truth.

Robert McBurney also died suddenly last week. Robert was NI Rally Champion five times, won rallies throughout Ireland, took victory on the Red Hackle and Snowman rallies in Scotland. He scored many International top results. Robert represented Ulster on the victorious Ken Wharton team and was Chairman of the Association of NI Car Clubs for several years. He was a superb engineer and was associated with the VW marque for many of his 65 years. Robert faced and conquered cancer about 10 years ago with the same great spirit he showed throughout his life. However he died suddenly last week when on holiday. To his wife Kathleen, and family, we offer our deepest condolences.

The Ulster Rally top ten includes most of the Pirelli backed British and Tarmac Championships front runners, including Mark Higgins, Eugene Donnelly, Derek McGarrity, Tim McNulty and Austin MacHale. Wild cards in the top ten include Matthew Wilson making a welcome return following his Rally Wales accident, and Peadar Hurson is back following his sabbatical.

GpN on the Ulster has several additions to the norm. Besides favourites David Higgins and Rory Galligan in the 'works' Lancers, former Tarmac GpN Champion Seamus Leonard has entered, while Glenn Wilson, from Keady, just up the road from the rallies' Armagh base, has switched from his troublesome RS2000 Maxi to a Lancer. West Cork GpN winner Kevin Kelleher is making the trip from Clonakilty in his Lancer. Garry Jennings has Rory Kennedy back on the pacenotes and should be in a new Lancer. Last car on the Ulster International list is the evergreen Ernest McMillen MBE, in his GpN Suzuki Swift. An unusual car making an appearance is an interesting Fabia diesel entered by Randalstown Skoda dealer John Mulholland.

Last year's winner Camillus Bradley heads a strong National entry on the Ulster. Indeed Magherafelt man Bradley will be hard pushed indeed to repeat his success, as he has Steve Fleck and Tony Davies behind in Impreza WRC's, as well as John Price, John Bogie and Mark Jasper in 6R4's.  George Robinson has at last recovered from his ski accident injuries and is listed in the top ten in his immaculate Escort WRC. There are many miles of the Ulster stages through narrow twisty Armagh lanes, which should give Camillus Bradley's Escort a fighting chance, but still he is up against big opposition. Interestingly just 52 cars have entered the International, whereas there are 80 starters in the National and there are 20 reserves.  

This weekend's Galway Summer Rally has moved base from Loughrea to Athenry. All the top Dunlop Championship contenders, Ray Breen, Jim Harrison, Charlie Donnelly, Kevin Barrett and Noel Redmond have entered. An interesting addition is Eamonn Boland, who is down to drive his Impreza WRC, but may well be in a Focus WRC. Patrick Elliott has entered but may not make the start, as he is not fully recovered from illness. Young Michael Curran is becoming the GpN man to beat, putting current GpN champion Willie Fannin and established stars such as Alan Ring under lots of pressure.

In wet conditions Tim McNulty took his Pierse backed Impreza WRC to a comfortable victory on last weekend's 9 special stage, strongly supported, ALMC Stages Rally at Virginia near Cavan. Adrian McElvaney was 2nd in his Subaru with Jack Sleator (Fabia WRC) 3rd.  Tom Holton (Celica) was 4th, Willie Fannin was 5th and won GpN in his Impreza, while Gordon Rogers was 6th and best 2-wheel drive in his Escort. Manus Kelly (Corolla) won the juniors and Sean Treacy (BMW 2002) won the Historics.

Brian Patterson.