Irish Notes 18th May 2005.

Kevin Lynch tops a strong entry list for this weekend's Sperrins Rally, the Dungiven man sure to be in top form following his win on last weekend's Moonraker Rally. Behind Lynch's Impreza WRC Glenn Allen (Corolla WRC), Raymond Johnston (Impreza WRC), Denis Biggerstaff (Impreza WRC), Kieran Shaw (Escort WRC), and Seamus Donnelly (Lancer N) fill the top six slots.

The Magherafelt MC has put quite an effort in to attract visiting drivers to this weekend's Maghera based Sperrins Rally. Highest seeded visitor is Liam Egan from the USA who will drive Charlie Donnelly's Corolla WRC, while top UK mainland crew is Michael Glendinning/Andrew Roughead who start at 24 in their Impreza.

Brian McCloskey, whose son Conor starts at 27 on the Sperrins and has Tommy Speers co-driving, was rushed in to hospital last weekend and we wish him a speedy recovery. Brian's business partner in the KBB doors/ Woodlands Kitchens concern, sponsors of the NI Championship for many years, Kieran Shaw, will drive Brian's Escort WRC this weekend instead of his Lancer WRC.

The NI Championship points table prior to this weekends' 4th round  Sperrins Rally shows Glenn Allen leading on 43, followed by Kevin Lynch (32), Denis Biggerstaff (28) Cathal Arthurs (27), Raymond Johnston (27) and Craig Bennett (27). John McGlaughlin leads the Junior section from Emma McKinstry.

Cashel's David Delaney scored top points on the privately run Ford Focus Owners Championship on the Carlow Rally. Delaney leads the points from Kieran Daly with Oliver Stanley, who led in Carlow until gearbox woes intervened, 3rd.

Billy Coleman's son Gordon and his regular co-driver Paul Kelly are hiring a GpN Lancer for the 5th June Limerick Rally, as well as the Donegal International.

Mid Antrim MC's Ballypatrick Rally will have two closed road special stages, the classic Orra Lodge and Torr Head tests, and is already attracting some top names including David Armstrong in his ex Melvyn Evans Impreza WRC and Maurice Gass in his new Fabia WRC. George Robinson, who has won the event for the last three years, will be out of action for at least another 3 months following his skiing accident.

Letterkenny's Brendan Kelly has decided to give his home Donegal International a miss this time and compete on the Scottish International instead in his Lancer N.

Frank O'Mahony's son Brian has made a last minute decision to compete on the Pirelli International Rally this weekend in his Chris Birbeck run Puma, principally to gain quality forest experience.

Brian Patterson.