IRISH NOTES 19^TH MARCH 2008

Connor McCloskey withdrew from last weekend’s West Cork Rally, in order that his ‘KBB Doors’ backed Focus WRC could be traded in with Derek McGarrity for a Subaru WRC, in time for the Circuit. Connor is leading the NI Stage Championship points, of which the Easter Stages part of the Circuit will be the critical 3^rd round. He will almost certainly drive the ex-Eamonn Boland RHD Impreza S12, while Derek McGarrity will drive the ex Hugh Martin Doherty left hand drive S12b, and Mark Higgins the ex-Eugene Donnelly upgraded S12 that he drove to victory on the Galway International. A couple of last minute changes to the entry include Peadar Hurson non-starting and Martin Brady now co-driving for Garry Jennings. Peadar’s Subaru is sitting at Stan Harper’s workshop and is ready to go, Peadar has had a successful test, but it looks as if pressure of work has intervened. Darren Gass is another to have withdrawn. Stan is also rebuilding Kevin Kelleher’s Lancer, badly damaged in Mayo, and although it will be touch and go, Stan reckons it should be ready.

Apart from Hurson, most of the top drivers are ready to go, including Gareth and Aaron MacHale in their respective Focus WRC’s and Tim McNulty in his new Impreza WRC, and full supporting cast.

An extra dimension to the Circuit is that the Ford Fiesta Sporting Trophy will run on the Sunday leg. First round winner Elfyn Evans will be No.1 seed, with current champion Alastair Fisher, who lost time in Galway with a broken driveshaft, will be at 2 and Tadgh Buckley at 3.

Brian Duggan will co-drive for Seamus O’Connell on this weekend’s Limerick forestry rally. Seamus has been having a monumental race with Adrian Hetherington and Frank Kelly over recent events, so the Limerick event

should give Seamus a chance to just enjoy himself in his Escort BDA without the pressures of Adrian and Frank breathing down his neck! As well as Hankook Forestry Championship leader Purcell and series regulars such as Kevin O’Kane and James Murphy, Keith Cronin is competing through the Limerick forests as a warm-up for the Pirelli Rally. Emma McKinstry, despite getting a bit tied down as she buys herself a house in Banbridge, is also hoping to compete. The entry list has also been boosted with the news that Kenny McKinstry himself is going to drive one of his Impreza WRC’s. The Limerick rally has received around 85 entries, including a strong turnout of juniors, with Richard Price/Sean Duggan the No1 seeds in their Civic. Shane Maguire is at 2, Anthony Cullinane at 3. Once again the Juniors will run at the front. Andrew Purcell is the No.1 seed in the main field, with Ray Breen at 2, Denis Cronin at 3, Colin Britton at 4, Keith Cronin at 5 and John Reid at 6.

Donie O’Sullivan has renewed his efforts to pursue the Super 2000 route with his S-tec Motorsport Company.  He is hoping to tie in with Chris Mellors Motorsport and develop a Proton Super 2000.  Donie reported that plans are well advanced and the first car is expected to appear during the summer. Donie was delighted with his win in West Cork last weekend, and worked very hard to get to grips with the technological set-up of the Kenny McKinstry Subaru. He certainly seemed to succeed, and should be a force to be reckoned with on the Circuit of Kerry and then the Killarney Rally of the Lakes. As we mentioned last week, Barry Goodman, who was performing ‘gravel/mud notes’ duties in West Cork for Donie, will co-drive for him on the two upcoming events, to leave Paul Nagle a free hand to possibly sit with Kris Meeke on the Lakes. It is proving very difficult for Kris to get a deal together, both from a budget perspective as well as sourcing a suitable car. 

Alan Carmichael moved into the overall lead of the Irish Evo Challenge following West Cork, although Stanley Ballantine took maximum points over the weekend following Colm Murphy’s accident.

In the Irish C2R2 counter, a double header for West Cork, Marty McCormick survived a puncture on his LHD example on the Saturday to take a maximum score, from Barry Evans in 2^nd and young Sam Moffett in 3^rd. McCormick’s C2R2 hit a bank on the Sunday leg, so was sidelined, and Barry Evans really turned on the style and speed to take 1^st and the prize money.  Young Sam Moffett from Monaghan was 2nd and Martin Tynan 3^rd.

Midland Motor Club is running co-driver classes in March and April, catering for novice as well as the more experienced competitor. The venue is the Abbey Hotel in Roscommon, on Wednesday nights 25^th March to 1^st April, Paul Goodman will be the main speaker and Vincent Collins (086 2333996) will handle bookings.

Well known marshalling and training instructor Colin Rossborough has been honoured with Prince Michael Award of Merit for his services to rallying since the early 1990’s. It is fitting that Colin’s dedication, effort and perseverance throughout his life in Motorsport has been recognised as he has recently retired and plans to emigrate to Canada to live with his family.

Tim and Rachel Clifford have stepped down after many hard working years as Clerk of the Course and Secretary of the Killarney Historic Rally, the pair now taking on a more administrative role in the club. Kevin Flannery was voted in as the new Killarney Historic C of C at Tuesday night’s monthly meeting.

Brian Patterson.