IRISH
NOTES 9 February 2005
Lisburn’s
fastest oil delivery man Philip Morrow heads to the snows
of Norway to Chris Moore’s testing facility in readiness
for his 2005 Mitsubishi Evo Challenge under the tutelage
of Stevie Whitford.
Gabriel
Martin, a front runner on last year’s Dunlop National
series, has had a new Impreza N11 built for this year, a
sister car to Alan Nesbitt. Mark Kane will again co-drive.
Martin
Kirwan, who has happily recovered from a serious illness,
will perform ‘OO’ duties in Gabriel Martin’s new
Impreza N11 on the 27th February Portlaoise
based Birr Multi Stage event, which his Midland Tyres
business is sponsoring.
Several
of the Pirelli WRC front runners on the
Galway
International ran ‘EMI’ inserts, to avoid punctures.
Contrary to preconceptions, there is no regulation
forbidding this, and indeed it is being mooted for the BRC,
as the extra cost when weighed against the price of the
damage a puncture can inflict on a WRC machine is minimal.
Letterkenny’s
Paul Gallagher, with Karl Reid on the pace notes in their
Corolla, took victory on the National section of Galway,
with John Reddington (Escort) 2nd and Anthony
O’Halloran (Manta) 3rd. James Cullen
initially appeared to have won in his Porsche, but he was
excluded for a service/chase car infringement. Keith
Power/Des Moran took their Puma to a convincing win on the
Junior section in
Galway
from Dereck Deane/John Paul McGettrick (Escort).
Adrian
Kermode/Maurice Beckett headed the time sheets in the
Historic section of Galway in their new Classic Porsche
911, Frank Cunningham was best Historic in his Mini Cooper
S and Martin Joe Creaven was best Post Historic in his
Escort Mk1.
Emily
O’Mahony competed on last weekend’s Galway
Interational Rally in a Group N Lancer hired from
McKinstry Motorsport, but retired on day 2 when a fuse in
the ignition system blew.
The car is now going to be used by McKinstry’s
daughter Emma on selected NI Championship rounds, and she
plans to contest the full Circuit of
Ireland
. Emily O’Mahony, the 2005 Fisher Foundation Award
winner, is awaiting delivery of a new Impreza N11 from
Prodrive.
Donegal
Motor Club PRO Sean Duffy died tragically last weekend at
his home outside Dungloe.
We extend sincere condolences to all the family.
Regards:
Brian Patterson.
