Irish Notes 24th October 2005.

Alistair Cochrane, co-driven by Pam Morris, took his Escort to victory on the Enniskillen Clubmans System Signs Stages Rally last Saturday. Cochrane finished the six stages on the asphalt drives of Lough Navar just ahead of the similar Escort of Brian Dunnion, with John Walton in yet another Escort 3rd. Rodney White brought his immaculate Sunbeam into 4th and won class 5, while local man Stewart Clarke had led the rally overall by almost 30 seconds, but blew his Escort's engine on stage 5.

Macclesfield's Jim Harrison, Welshman Melvyn Evans and Milton Keynes man Tony Davies, all in Impreza WRC's, make a welcome return to the Dunlop National series for the final round (Fastnet) this weekend in Glandore. Although the overall title has been won by Ray Breen, the GpN award is still up for grabs, with young Michael Curran favourite to fend off current GpN Champion Willie Fannin, as well as Alan Ring.  

The Fastnet  event is also the final counter in the 023 Tiles Southern Four Championship, and although the overall title has been decided in favour of local man Denis Cronin, there should be a hectic battle for GpN honours between such 'hot-shots' as Clonakilty's Kevin Kelleher, Colm Murphy, Alan Ring, Willie Fannin and series sponsor James O'Sullivan.

Tadgh Lenihan had a good run in the recent Cork '20' with his GpN Impreza, and hopes to move up to an Impreza N11 for next year. In the meantime his Bio-Tech company is backing the November 13th Kerry Mini Stages event, based in the Banna Beach Hotel.

Mid Antrim MC's forestry, once again the final round of the NI Stage Championship, is changing its name to the Rally of the Glens. The event is scheduled for November 5th and there are 40 miles of stages through the Glens of Antrim, with the start and finish in Ballymena.    

The IRCA marshals day is to run at Mondello on Saturday 5th November, whereby all the motor clubs nominate three marshals, who come along to Mondello and get trips in a cross section of rally cars. A large number of drivers have volunteered to give their time and use their cars, including Kevin Barrett who will share his newly acquired ex Boland Impreza WRC S9 with Production World Rally Champion Niall McShea. Further drivers on the Mondello list include new Forestry Champion Gareth MacHale (Corolla WRC), and his brother Aaron ( Lancer Evo8), as well as new National Champion Ray Breen in his Focus WRC, and former Champions Kenny McKinstry and Niall Maguire (Impreza WRC's), to name just a few.

Regards, Brian Patterson.