Austin McHale reports that his Ford Focus WRC is well on course to being converted to RHD by M-Sport and his own engineer Tom Gahan. The change has been homologated since Jan 1^st. Austin commented from his Dublin base,"I'm looking forward to driving the car in RHD, especially on gravel. First outing will however be the Galway International."

Eamonn Boland starts his season by taking his Subaru Impreza WRC to the Monte Carlo Rally, the Wexford man then planning a full assault on the Pirelli Tarmac Championship and also Catalunya.

Daniel Barry, who won the Ford Ka forestry series last season but just missed out on the overall title, is to contest the Peugeot 206 Cup this year. Daniel, 20 year old and from Wicklow, has bought John Quinn's 206, and as well as receiving some tuition from Rory Galligan, is to compete on the Red Kite as a shakedown.

Ballynahinch MC have secured the use of an extra link road in Bishopscourt, extending the stage mileage up to 40 for the forthcoming 5^th March second round of the NI Stage Championship. Well known competitor Kieran O'Neill is the Clerk of the Course.

Peter Clifford/John Young will collect the 2004 Top Part West Coast Champions Trophy at the prizegiving in the West County Hotel Ennis, on Saturday 22^nd January. James O'Sullivan/Ger Healy are runners-up. This year's 6 round series starts with the Feb 27^th Birr Stages event. An innovation to the championship this year will be a junior section.

The Triton Showers South East Championship has announced a 7 round mixed surface format for 2005, kicking off with the Wm Loughman Forestry Rally on March 3^rd and concluding with the Wexford Rally in September. 2004 winner Mick Nevin will collect his trophy’s at Carlow’s Sevon Oaks Hotel based prizegiving on Jan 29^th.

Regards, Brian Patterson.