Irish Notes 26th September 2005.

Austin MacHale checked in to the Rochestown Hotel last Saturday morning to start his reconnaissance for this weekend's Cork '20'. It is the beginning of a busy rally period for the Dubliner, who hopes to compete on the Trackrod, which is one week after the Cork '20', then Rally Ireland, which is one more week further on. Both of Austin's sons, Gareth (Corolla WRC) and Aaron (Lancer), plan to compete on Rally Ireland. Austin has won the Cork '20' four times over the years.

The 2005 Pirelli Tarmac Championship title goes down to the wire this weekend on the Murphy Construction backed Cork '20', between Eugene Donnelly (Corolla WRC) and Derek McGarrity (Impreza WRC). Last weekend, on the 'recce', both drivers expressed themselves to be fully committed to the rally, and neither seemed to be particularly concerned over strategy, more a case of 'flat out and see what happens!'

Even with bonus points for this final Tarmac series counter, 3rd placed Tim McNulty can't win the title. He did lead the Cork rally in his Pierse backed Subaru last year though, and is more than capable of producing a shock result this time. McNulty will almost certainly have Anthony Nestor on the notes this time, as regular co-driver Eugene O'Donnell has suffered an arm injury following a car crash.

The Cork '20' is also a counter of the 023 Tiles series. Denis Cronin, who switches back from his BMW M3 to his Impreza WRC for this one, heads the points from Tom Randles. The latter's Celica is being rebuilt following an accident and it will be a rush to get it ready for this weekend. Liam McCarthy, who has the Cork '20' Rally main sponsor Kieran Murphy co-driving as usual, is a close 3rd in the 023 Tiles points with his Corolla WRC.

Alan Ring (Impreza) is tying with Kevin Kelleher (Lancer N) for GpN supremacy on the 023 Tiles. West Cork GpN winner Kelleher has been having some differential trouble with his Lancer and is hoping everything will be sorted for this weekend.

Garry Jennings is switching from his trusty Lancer Evo 6 to an Evo 8 for this weekend's Cork Rally and hopes to clinch the category on the Pirelli Tarmac series. His only rival now as far as the Tarmac GpN crown is concerned is Alan Nesbitt. The latter has had the gearbox of his Impreza rebuilt, but knows that wresting the title from Jennings' grasp will be a tall order.

Clerk of the Course Frank O'Mahony's daughter Emily debuts a new Impreza N10 this weekend in Cork. This will be her first outing since her Subaru caught fire on the Jim Clark. Her brother Brian, who has won the Super 1600 class on both the Pirelli British and Tarmac Championships this season, is competing as well in his ex-works Puma, and may also try and slot in an entry on Rally Ireland.

James Foley will compete on this weekend Cork '20' in a new lancer Evo 9, which is thought to be the first time that the newly homologated car will appear on an International Rally. Lisa Roe, who took time off from her Cork '20' recce to guide Pat Donegan to victory on the Carrick on Suir Rally, will co-drive for Foley this time.

Former GpN Tarmac Champion Roy White was planning to have his newly converted Evo 9 out on Cork, but the FESP backed machine will not be quite ready, so White is planning for Rally Ireland instead.

Principal non-starters from the advertised Cork '20' list are Kenny McKinstry and Peadar Hurson, while Nigel Hicklin has switched from his Octavia WRC to a Stan Harper Impreza WRC.

Peter Wilson, runner up in the Billy Coleman Award last year, and his co-driver John Kilmurray, have done more than enough in their Civic to win their class on this year's Pirelli Championship, so have decided to test the GpN waters by hiring a Lancer for this weekend's Cork '20'

Pat Donegan took his Escort to a great victory on last weekend's Suir Forklift backed Carrick on Suir Stage Rally. The event utilised a classic former Circuit of Ireland stage South of the River Suir. Sean Ryan brought his Peugeot RWD in to 2nd, while Liam Wall was 3rd in his Escort. Billy Coleman performed course car duties in sponsor James Coleman's Escort. Remarkably, it was the first time Billy had driven a car with a sequential shift.

Colin O'Toole, co-driven by Charlotte Egan, took a fine win on the Junior section of the Clare Stages Rally, just ahead of Barry Meade/Colin Fitzgerald in their Escort.

Cashel based David Delaney is taking delivery of the M-Sport Super 1600 Fiesta this week.  The new machine is due to arrive today (Wednesday) and the Delaney Ryan Group team plan to test the car on Thursday in preparation for the Cork 20 Rally. This will be 25 year old David's first time in a left hand drive, sequential geared rally car. Aidan Gannon will co-drive in Cork.

Brian Patterson.