Irish Notes 20th July 05.

This weekend's Mallow based Cork Forestry breaks with the championship norm in that it runs over two days, running 6 stages on Saturday and 8 on Sunday. Gareth McHale leads the Southern forestry series with 100 points after the first five rounds, while John McCarthy has 82 and Glenn Allen 71, all three in Corolla WRC's. Top local man James Murphy has acquired Dominic McNeill's Escort WRC and could be a major threat.

Tim McNulty's Pierse Construction backed Impreza WRC S10 is having every nut and screw checked in preparation for next week's Total Manx International, the big Co Louth man more than anxious to repeat his maximum Pirelli Tarmac series points score of the Jim Clark. One problem for McNulty will be his comparative lack of knowledge of the Isle of Man roads. A dark horse in the Manx entry will be Kenny McKinstry in the Impreza WRC normally hired by Andrew Nesbitt.

Derek McGeehan is the engineer behind Eugene Donnelly's all conquering Corolla WRC. However Derek is a fine driver himself and has teamed up with Eugene and his brother Charlie to form a three car team, their two Corolla WRC's and Eugene's famous Escort G3, for the popular 13th August Triton Showers Lurgan Park event.

Tarmac Champion Derek McGarrity finished 11th overall on the Ballynahinch MC's Bishopscourt stage event, driving Kieran O'Neill's Opel Kadett. McGarrity thoroughly enjoyed his drive in the rwd Kadett, but lost time on the 2nd stage when he screwed the fuel pressure up for more power, but in fact turned it the wrong way! The rally was won by Barry McKenna, with Wesley Patterson 2nd and event sponsor Roy Haslett 3rd, all in Escorts.

The North East Motor Club is running an interesting Mini Stages event on 31st July at Dunleer, with two ten-mile asphalt stages repeated. Top entries received so far include Tom Holton in his Celica and Pat Donegan in his Mk 2 Escort. There are still some spaces available in the entry list.

Kircubbin's Cathal Arthurs took his Hyundai WRC to overall victory on the Maiden City MC Lark in the Park Rally, while Denis Biggerstaff won the 'shoot-out stage' in his Metro 6R4.

Letterkenny's Sean Gallagher has been awarded a 7,500 Euro grant by Motorsport Ireland/Irish Sports Council. The funding is part of a 'stranding scheme', set to a specific criteria. Shaun, a former British Peugeot SuperCup Champion and a Billy Coleman Award winner, became eligible through his exceptional efforts and results on the 2004 French Peugeot 206 SuperCup series.

Four Irish crews competed on the BHV Expo Groep Rally in Holland last week, with mixed results. Joe Curran/Alan Tuite were 17th and 'best overseas', while Sebastian Stacpoole/Seamus O'Connor, also running in GpN were just one place behind. Tom Holton/Ron Guha were 7th o/a before their Celica was sidelined with gear selection trouble, while Kevin McCarthy's Lancer went out with turbo trouble.

Brian Patterson.

TRITON SHOWERS LURGAN PARK RALLY 2005

PRESS RELEASE: Immediate release: 19th July 2005

Lurgan Park Rally Top Attraction

Joint Tarmac Champion Eugene Donnelly and his brother Charlie in their respective Corolla WRC's are just two of the top entries received for the ever popular Lurgan Park Rally, scheduled this year for the Saturday 13th August and backed by Triton Showers.

Last year's Lurgan Park winner Kevin Lynch has been advised to take a six month sabbatical from rallying, but is determined to try to compete on two special events, one of them being Lurgan Park. Lynch and his Subaru Impreza WRC were sensational last year, beating all the favourites, so the event has a special place for the Dungiven man.

The action should be no less frenetic this time, and Lynch will face some tough opposition, not least either one of the two Donnelly brothers in their Corolla's. Just some of the other top names making an outing in Lurgan Park will be current Irish National Champion Niall Maguire in his Subaru WRC, as well as Lark in the Park winner Cathal Arthurs in his Hyundai Accent World Rally Car.

Production World Rally Champion Niall McShea is planning to make an appearance in the GpN category, and will face considerable opposition from some brilliant young drivers such as Phillip Morrow, Michael Curran and Garry Jennings in various Mitsubishi Lancers.

Introduced for the first time is the Mk2 Escort Challenge, and just like the main field, this part of the rally has attracted top class entries, such as Pat Donegan, Camillus Bradley, Stewart Clarke and Barry McKenna.

Indeed such has been the level of entries, both in the overall category as well in the Mk2 Escort Challenge, that Clerk of the Course Barry Taggart and Rally Director William Fullerton face a major juggling act before sorting out who does and doesn't get a run!

The rally is once again fully supported by Craigavon Borough Council, and the organisers, the North Armagh Motorcycle and Car Club is promising a great day out, not just for motorsport fans, but for the entire family. Lurgan Park, always a fabulous amphitheatre for the rally, has been extensively refurbished and all sorts of attractions are being laid on to run in tandem with the rally.

Issued by:
Brian & Liz Patterson
Patterson Agencies Ltd.
Tel: 02890 844111 From Rep. of Irl. 0044 2890 844111