RALLY NEWS NO.1        Inishowen Gateway Buncrana-Sunday morning.   www.rallynews.net

In the absence of Paul Harris, Niall Maguire in his Subaru WRC leads the 151 starters away on this Donegal Harvest Stages Rally, with Monaghan man Niall sure to face stern opposition from Carndonagh brothers Daniel and Michael Doherty in a similar Subaru World Rally Car. In truth the entry may be thronged with good drivers but it is hard to see any combination of car and driver that will challenge those two. Having said that, new Clerk of the Course Leonard Wilson has laid on a challenging series of special stages, so anything can happen. Paul Harris isn't here because his Subaru is not repaired following its Galway Summer Rally accident. David Armstrong was to be at 4 and could maybe have raced the Impreza's in front, but his Escort Cosworth is on the market for sale.  That leaves James Gillen at No.5 on the seeded list, 3rd on the road. Castlederg man James is a quick driver, revels in wet tough conditions, but it would be a tall order indeed for James to get in amongst the Subarus. Having said that, we should still have a fascinating rally.

Behind Gillen drivers such as Ivan Stewart, even though his Escort Cosworth is using a drop of water: Philip Shaw in his famous black Mk2 Escort: Andrew Stewart in the first of the GpN Mitsubishis: Norman Armstrong in his Mk2: Seamus Donnelly in the ex Camillus Bradley Mk2. All are brilliant drivers in their own right and will be giving the rally a real go. Top names go on outside the top ten seeds - Cathal Rogers at 11, although he has been away from rallying, can never be underestimated, the fencing contractor having acquired a very tasty G3 Escort. Trevor Lancashire at 12, Stephen Harris at 14, Paul Gallagher at 15, hoping for rain to equalise the power stakes, can go indecently quickly in his Corolla.

In terms of winning outright though, you have to go back to Maguire and Doherty. Daniel and Michael Doherty are on their home patch, and should have an advantage, but they are adamant there is one stage, which goes over the daunting Mamore Pass, which they don't know. Since finishing 3rd on the Ulster International, the Doherty Subaru has had no more than a routine checkover. Maguire has had a fantastic rally season, pure speed allied with reliability netting him his 2nd National Title in the clearest of fashions. Niall's Subaru has also had no more than a checkover. Remarkably he hasn't even needed a new clutch in it this year - and apart from trying to win the rally he can also take the Border Championship. The Border is a class based series so there are many permutations for the destination of the title. Trevor Lancashire, John McElhinney and John P Kelly can all take the title if they have a good class finish.

Just some more of many names to look out for today include Killybegs man Stuart Darcy who has acquired Adrian McElvaney's Mitsubishi, Angus Hunter who is making a rally comeback in a Richard Hogg Lancer and David McNulty who has done a lot of work to his Escort Cosworth. Sean McArdle debuts an ex Kankkunen 205 Celica. Looking outside this Donegal Harvest, Kenny McKinstry finished 6th on yesterday's tough Bulldog Rally, just missing out on his 2nd ANCRO National title, which goes to Mark Perrot. Noel Orr does however take the co-driver's title. Stephen Harron finished well back after lying 2nd on the morning icy Welsh stages and Eamonn Boland finished just outside the top ten. Julian Reynolds won.
Finally for now, this is the first Donegal Motor Club Rally since the tragedy that occurred on the International. That was a sad, tough time for all concerned, particularly the families affected. The club officials and members have also had to pick themselves up to move ahead with this event. Naturally, the spotlight this weekend will be very much on safety. We all want to enjoy the rally. That must be tempered with a total awareness of safety and consideration for others at all times.   More news after stage 1. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON

 

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TC