| RALLY NEWS NO.1 Fisher Engineering/Ballinamallard/Saturday 09.00
There’s a stunning line-up of four wheel drive and two wheel drive machinery here on this Fisher Engineering backed Lakeland Rally, the addition of the Fiesta Sporting Trophy contenders adding a touch of extra excitement to the proceedings. The aroma of bacon and eggs cooked by the members of the Ballinamallard Silver Band in the open air barbecue drifted across the Fisher Engineering yard as the drivers prepared for the off. Weather conditions are dry and calm promising high speeds for the day.
Glenn Allen is listed at No 1, but his Corolla WRC still isn’t ready, so Sean Devine in his Subaru WRC will lead the 110 cars away for the 9 special stages through the beautiful Fermanagh countryside. Stephen Moore is at 3 in his Focus WRC, Raymond Johnston at 4 in his new Impreza WRC, Richard Hogg at 5 in his Skoda WRC and Garry Jennings at 6 in his GpN Lancer. Niall McShea is at 7 and drives a MK2 Escort and then its Errol Clarke and Eoin McErlean in their respective Lancers at 9 & 10.
Glenn Allen reports he’s disappointed not to make the rally, but the Cookstown man, who has four outright wins in the NI Championship this year (this is round 7), was hoping his Corolla, damaged in an accident on the Ravens Rock, would be back from Erik Wever’s workshop in Holland by now. It hasn’t happened, Glenn explained. “The bodywork is done, but the pipe work isn’t. Wever is involved in the World Series cars and is under pressure, so this rally isn’t to be.”
In theory Allen’s misfortune should open the NI Championship door for 2nd in the points Stephen Moore. It is hardly likely to be that simple though, as there are several registered drivers who could deprive Moore of points, particularly Sean Devine. He has a new engine in his Subaru, and knows the Lakeland stages fairly well. There is just one new stage this year, and minor changes to the other four, so Sean has every chance of an outright win. Moore however is fresh from winning the Killarney Forestry, his Focus WRC has had a good check over, and Pomeroy man Stephen seems well up for the job here today.
Raymond Johnston thought for sure that he wouldn’t get started his local rally, as new suspension for his Subaru hadn’t arrived. Kenny McKinstry has however helped out and taken the struts out of another car to get Raymond mobile. Raymond has had a short test in the new machine and is now ready to go. He did comment, “The new car is fine, but I’m braking far too early. As well I find the paddle gear change OK going up the box, but I’m having problems changing down” No doubt Raymond will also be keeping a fatherly eye out for his son Marc who, driving a Peugeot 206, is competing for the first time.
Richard Hogg hopes his Skoda Octavia WRC will be on full song today, following a few niggly problems. Kesh man Garry Jennings has been beavering away all week sorting out the fine details on his GpN Lancer and Garry is bursting to get at the stages on his local rally. Similarly with Niall McShea, fresh from a great run on Rally New Zealand. Niall was hoping to get a deal together to also drive a GpN car, but it wasn’t to be, and he is driving a Camillus Bradley Escort, promising some all sideways motoring through the trees. Joining Garry Jennings in the race for GpN honours is Errol Clarke and Eoin McErlean at 9 & 10, and then there are some very quick GpN drivers outside of that, just a few being Raymond Mason in his Evo 9, the car which Derek Boyd drove last weekend, Howard Clarke at 12 also in a Lancer, and Richard Cathcart at 14 in his GpN Impreza.
As well as Niall McShea in an Escort, there are some very rapid men in RWD Fords, just a few being Frank Kelly, Seamus O’Connell and Adrian Hetherington. Marty McCormick has a new BDA engine in his Escort, so he is hoping for a good run.
In the Fiesta Sporting Trophy Carryduff’s Jonny Greer is the No.1 seed, with Alastair Fisher at ‘FST2’, Conor Harvey at 3 and Tadgh Buckley 4, Kyle Orr 5. William Mavitty was to be at FST6, but he has switched to a Lancer, as his Fiesta holed its gearbox, and the young Fermanagh man is now running with the number 120. The action with the Fiestas is likely to be very fast and furious, and certainly amongst the top cars nothing is left to chance, with precautionary drive-shaft changes and so on the norm.
Just some of the small changes to the entry list include Kenny Bustard sitting in with Conor Harvey, Martin Cairns is in a GpA Impreza, and Nigel McGinn is with Conor Lee. Conor Kelly has switched from a Sunny to an Escort. Stephen Smith is co-driving for William Smith and they have changed from a Mini to a Civic. Mo Downey is co driving for John Devlin at No.109. Viv Hamill has changed from a Lancer to an Escort. Just 7 Fiestas are competing in the FST today.
More news later: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net |
