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RALLY NEWS
NO.1 Killybegs..Saturday morning..
New Clerk of the Course Bobby Cunningham and his hard working
Donegal MC team has laid on a challenging but enjoyable 8 special
stage route for the 150 crews on today's Killybegs Harvest Rally.
In the absence of the first two seeds, Paul Harris and Daniel
Doherty, Tim McNulty will lead the field away, followed by Hugh
Martin Doherty and Ivan Stewart. Meath man Tim McNulty has Eugene
O'Donnell co-driving in his Toyota Celica. Tim only acquired
this Celica from Austin McHale early this season and he has certainly
switched on to the car, culminating, co-incidentally also with
O'Donnell co-driving, in winning the Castle Rally in Mullingar.
Tim tells us that his Celica only really needed a check-over
since that maiden win, and should be in top condition for today.
Hugh Martin Doherty is driving his ex-works Ford Escort WRC,
the car well fettled although needing a few last minute replacement
hoses fitted. Hugh Martin tells us that his only real worry is
that the car is a bit low geared, top speed is a bit lacking,
but then in compensation it is really sharp through the gears.
Ivan Stewart drives the ex James Cullen Escort Cosworth. On its
last outing, in Mullingar, Ivan was held back by an extremely
recalcirant engine, so hopefully that department will be right
for today.
Border Championship positions are very much a topic of conversation
as the minutes tick away to the 11.00 start. The overall places
in the class based series are sometimes hard to figure, but favourites
for overall honours are Paul Gallagher/Karl Reid in their Toyota
Corolla, followed by Mac McKenna in his rear wheel drive Peugeot.
David Armstrong would have been in with an outside chance, but
is non-starting, while his brother Norman could do the business
if the leaders would happen to fall by the wayside. Mayo man
James McGreal and Newry's Tom McCreesh could also nip in.
Switching back to the top entries, Brendan Kelly will be next
up behind Ivan Stewart. Brendan virtually grew up on a couple
of stages so despite only driving a GpN car, is one of the favourites
today. Saying 'only GpN' probably doesn't do justice to Brendan's
David Greer prepared Lancer Evo 6. Its a real rocket ship of
a motor. Brendan has Michael Reid co-driving. Cathal Rogers is
listed at 8, but he hasn't made it here, we beleive unfortunately
due to family considerations. Former National Champion George
Robinson is at 9, the Ballymena man telling us that his Escort
Cosworth has had a last minute gearbox change. The very rapid
Mk2 Escort driver Philip Shaw is at 10, this time with Richard
Curry on the pacenotes.
Norman Armstrong is at 11, Camillus Bradley at 12, both in Mk2
Escorts, and they will be looking over their shoulders at Eugene
Ferry who has been going particularly hard in his Ford over the
last few rallies. Mac McKenna is at 15, while James Gillen was
to run at 16 but has withdrawn, again for family reasons. Other
changes to entry include Paul Goodman sitting with Rory Kennedy
in his hired Lancer, Dominic Loughran is a non starter, Cian
Curley is sitting with Brian McKenna, cars 28, 32, 33, 34, 38,
43, 44 & 45 are non-starters, meaning many of the reserves
will get a run. More news to follow..BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON |
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