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RALLY NEWS
NO.1 Rally HQ..Saturday morning..
Eamonn Boland has dominated the time sheets on this Wexford Rally
for the last three years. The big question now must be, can any
of this top class field change the pattern? Eamonn drives a new
'gravel spec' Subaru, fitted with asphalt suspension. Starting
behind him is John Price in his Metro 6R4. Hereford man John
has just clinched his 9th Safety Devices Title even before this
final round. The icing on John's cake would to be win this rally.
He has been close so many times. Michael Barrable & Bob Fowden
should have been 2nd & 3rd on the road. They are not here,
so Price, keeping 4 on the car, starts behind Boland.
As well as a new base, the Crosbie Cedars Hotel in Rosslare,
there is a revised route for the rally. John commented "Its
tighter in places than previous, should suit me better"
Eamonn Boland reported, "The new car feels fine, not a bother.
I would know a couple of the stages very well, but it is nearly
a disadvantage, better just driving to the notes"Melvyn
Evans is behind Price (Ray Breen is non-starting).. The Welshman
is driving the ex-Gary Midwinter Escort WRC. Then its Border
Champion David Armstrong, his Escort Cosworth in full fettle
since breaking a small clutch pipe on the Sligo Rally. This is
Armagh man David's first Wexford, but he should go well nonetheless.
Jon Mercer in his Metro 6R4 follows. He is also on his first
trip here, however is rated a very quick man. Derek Smith is
at 10 in his fabulous Mk2 Escort, the engine now in full song.
Killarney's Johnny O'Sullivan is next up in his stunning Escort
WRC, then its Phil Henderson, David James and Lyndon Barton.
The latter has switched from an Escort Cosworth to a Metro 6R4.
Highest seeded GpN car is John Sheehan's Subaru at 26. John is
reckoned to be the man to beat in the category, despite suffering
an injured back. Other top GpN runners include local men Noel
Redmond & Kieran Molloy in Mitsubishi Lancers. Jon Tainton
also in GpN is seeded back at 46, but his Lancer will be moved
up, while leading lady in the rally is Nicky Moore, who also
runs in the showroom division with her Subaru.
As well as being a round of the Safety Devices series, the rally
is a counter in the Triton Showers South East Championship. John
Treacy is the defending Champion. He couldn't make it, Peter
McCullagh currently leads, but he's not entered, so the door
is open for Kilkenny man James Travers to add to his Ford Ka
Champion's title.
There are many angles to this Wexford Rally. The two litre battle
should be thrilling. Cars in that class range from the G3 Escort
of David James, the Mk2 Escort of Jimmy Lambert, the Opel Kadett
of Kieran O'Neill, now with back axle fully secured, right through
to Jon Stangle's BDA engined Darrian, now fitted with sequential
shift. There are lots more classes to watch out for, plus the
Historics who join in after the first three stages.
Happily most people have made it through the hauliers' fuel tax
protest blockades and cross-channel fuel shortages. A further
non-starter however is Gary Midwinter. More News from service
at the Horse & Hound. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON |
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