Irish Notes 8^th May ’06.

 

Gareth McHale is carrying out some asphalt testing  this week in the ‘family’ Focus WRC ’03. Gareth’s brother Aaron is really settling in to the ’03 Focus WRC, and despite having no real experience with the car finished 3^rd o/a on last weekend’s Carlow Rally. Gareth will carry out his testing in the ’03 car, in Ireland and then the settings will be transferred to the ’05 car for Sardinia next week.

 

John McCarthy and Stephen Moore, Corolla WRC and Focus WRC  respectively, head the Southern forestry championship points going into this weekend’s Midleton Co. Cork based Moonraker Rally. There are 8 stages on offer. Young Owen Murphy, who took maximum points on the opening round with his GpN Lancer, is equal with Moore in the points, but will miss this round as he is competing on the Pirelli with his Fiesta.

 

Waterford based Tipperary man  Trevor Harding is hiring a McKinstry Subaru Impreza WRC S8 for the Moonraker, while Eddie Garry is supporting the event through his Subaru dealership and is expected to compete in his ex Colin McRae Impreza WRC. Lismore man Pete Willoughby is hiring a Derrick Jobb GpA Lancer for this, his local rally.

 

George Robinson in his Escort WRC scored another victory, his 4^th in 5 years,  on last weekend’s Mid Antrim MC’s Ballypatrick Stages Rally. Rodney White was a close second in his Sunbeam following a great drive, and might have won except for a puncture and then having to run an ‘unmatching’ tyre. John Donnelly was 3^rd in his Escort. Robinson said afterwards. “We had a problem with the suspension and the car took off over the bumps in 5th gear, totally out of character so I was  a bit nervous. When I found out what was wrong it wasn’t so bad and we had a go over the last few stages”.  Robinson, who was co driven by Tommy Speers, plans the Tour of the Sperrins as his next outing.

 

Glenn Allen withdrew his Corolla WRC before the start of last weekend’s Carlow Rally when a noise was detected in the engine. Allen’s usual co-driver Damien Connolly is sitting with young Connor McCloskey in his Lancer N on this weekend’s Pirelli International.

 

Top West Cork crew Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Corolla WRC) are making the long trip North to Magherafelt for the 20^th May Sperrins Rally. The event, a counter in the NI series, is using closed road asphalt special stages instead of the usual forests.

 

Dave Watkins had a good run on the Killarney Rally of the Lakes, taking a class win in his TR7 V8. During the event the car had some alternator maladies and a marshal kindly gave Dave the use of a battery pack. However Dave has lost the marshal’s number and wonders would he phone Neil James on 07881558573 and the team will arrange the return of the battery pack.

 

The Enniskillen MC’s St. Angelo Rally was won by Justin McCartan, driving a Celica. Derek McGeehan took time off from preparing Eugene Donnelly’s Corolla to take 2^nd in Charlie Donnelly’s Celica, while Richard Cathcart was well pleased to take 3^rd in his GpN Impreza, just ahead of former World Production Rally Champion Niall McShea, who was driving Charlie Mavitty’s GpN Lancer. Craig Bennett sponsored the rally through his One Hour Photo concern, but his Escort blew its engine and Paul Hughes took the 2wd honours.

 

Brian Patterson.