Preview Thursday 24th May

There is a stunning line up of top drivers and cars for this Sunday’s Punchestown Rally Masters event. Five times Tarmac Champion Austin McHale in a Toyota, current Tarmac Champion Andrew Nesbitt in a Subaru WRC, former Tarmac Champion Frank Meagher in Ford Focus WRC, former British and Irish rally champion Billy Coleman in a Metro 6R4, current National Champion Paul Harris in his Subaru, former Tarmac & ANCRO Champion Kenny McKinstry in a Subaru WRC, Derek McGarrity in a new Impreza WRC - that’s just a taster of the competition at Punchestown outside Naas this Sunday.

It will be a family day as well in more ways than one. Austin McHale’s two sons Gareth and Aaron are competing, as are Billy Coleman’s two sons, racing men Robbie and Gordon. There will be more than pure rallying to keep the spectators on their toes – McHale for example will drive a 700 horse power rallycross car between stages.

The brainchild of International co-driver Ronan Morgan, and organised on the day by Tom Nolan and the Carrick on Suir Motor Club, the Punchestown Rally Masters has evolved to fill the current void in Irish Rallying. There will be four asphalt stages; one of those used as a familiarisation run. Scrutiny is at the Punchestown racecourse on Saturday evening, with the first timed stage at Noon on Sunday.

No 1 slot is being left vacant in memory of Bertie Fisher, Mark and Emma Fisher. Eighty cars are expected to compete, including the Ford KA Championship contenders, although the event is not expected to count towards their Championship because of the restricted stage mileage.

Punchestown Rally Masters Top Ten:-

1 –

2 Andrew Nesbitt/James O’Brien (Subaru WRC)

3 Austin McHale/Brian Murphy (Toyota)

4 Billy Coleman/TBA (MG Metro 6R4)

5 Frank Meagher/TBA (Ford Focus WRC)

6 Eamonn Boland/Anthony Nestor (Subaru WRC)

7 Kenny McKinstry/TBA (Subaru WRC)

8 Daniel Doherty/Michael Doherty (Subaru WRC)

9 Paul Harris/Eugene O’Donnell (Subaru Impreza)

10 Niall Maguire/Paul McLoughlin (Subaru Impreza)