Irish
Notes 15th May 2006.
Junior
WRC top contestant Kris Meeke was just one of a
high powered list of motorsport people,
including leading drivers past and present,
representatives from all 33 NI car clubs,
Rally Ireland management, ANICC and MSA members
invited to a reception at Hillsborough Castle
last week hosted by NI Secretary of State Peter
Hain MP.
NI
Secretary Hain showed a great knowlege and
enthusiasm for NI motor sport, reinforced his
determination to help Rally Ireland in every way
he can, and paid tribute to the hard work and
enthusiasm put into all aspects of the sport
here.
Kris
Meeke commented at the reception that his next
Junior WRC action is not for a while, in Germany
and Finland, but told of plans to travel to both
the Sardinia and Greek rounds over the coming
weeks to keep ‘in the picture’ and gain as
much knowledge as possible. Kris stated also
that he is confident he can carry this year’s
Championship through to a successful conclusion.
Following
his victory on last weekend’s Moonraker Rally,
John McCarthy (Corolla WRC) has extended his
lead in the McCauley Trailers Southern National
Forestry Championship over Stephen Moore (Focus
WRC), with Brian McGillen (Impreza N) 3rd.
This
weekend’s KBB Doors backed Sperrins Rally,
round 3 of the NI Rally Championship, is based
in Maghera, has eight asphalt special stages and
attracted 120 entries plus reserves.
Kevin Lynch is shown as No1 seed, but he has
reportedly withdrawn, so Eugene Donnelly will
lead the field away, keeping the No2 and driving
the Skoda Fabia WRC he acquired a while ago but
hasn’t had the chance to drive. Most of the
top NI Championship drivers have entered,
including Glenn Allen, Sean Devine and Raymond
Johnston in their various WRC machines.
Kieran
Shaw of KBB Doors is listed at 8 in his GpA
Lancer but is tipped to switch to a Corolla WR..
“Far travelled’ drivers will include Liam
McCarthy from Cork in his Corolla WRC and
Callum Duffy from the Isle of Mull in his
Escort. The event starts from Walsh’s Hotel in
Maghera at 10.00 on Saturday morning.
Jonny
Milner’s ‘mentor’ over the years, Duncan
McMath, plans to get a deal together for Jonny
to contest the Shell Donegal International in
June, and that he will co-drive. Indeed, several
of the top contenders on last weekend’s
Pirelli Rally also expressed an interest in
competing in Donegal, as a valuable asphalt
‘warm up’ before the Jim Clark, Manx and
Ulster events, the next three rounds of the BRC.
Gordon
Noble, who co-drove for Alister McRae on last
weekend’s Pirelli, is now to co-drive for him
on next week’s Zulu Rally in South Africa. The
pair will drive a Neil Allport Lancer. Gordon is
very involved in the organisation of Rally
Ireland and the Zulu Rally is also a candidate
WRC event.
Brian
Patterson.
