RALLY NEWS NO.1                     Cork - Saturday morning …early…

Number 1 seed on this Cork '20' International Rally, Derek McGarrity, was in top form as he completed the final paper-work formalities in the run up to the start. The Glengormley man, newly crowned Tarmac Champion even before this final round, observed, "I'm really looking forward to it. There's a lot less pressure on me since winning the Championship, and I feel that I should really enjoy it. It's a different car this time, another S8 (Impreza WRC), ex Mike Oates. Patrick Snijers won the Haspengouw last weekend in it, so there shouldn't be a lot wrong with it. We've a good supply of Pirelli tyres, the stages, the organisation, all look great"

Behind McGarrity in the line up is Austin MacHale, Eamonn Boland, Liam McCarthy, Donie O'Sullivan, Melvyn Evans and at 10 Maurice Gass. Eugene Donnelly, Peadar Hurson and Ollie O'Donovan are non-starters from the top ten. MacHale also seemed in top form, his Impreza WRC converted to tarmac specification by engineer Tom Gahon in just a few days since the Yorkshire Trackrod Rally where Austin had a good run. The Dubliner commented last night, "We've just had a run in the car, bedded in the brakes. It feels good. The stages are good as well - I remember some of the Saturday ones, but the Sunday ones are new to me. We'll give it a good go, but I still have difficulty with the left hand drive. I'm more comfortable with it, but it still costs me time, placing the car at speed."

Eamonn Boland at 3 appears OK, while Liam McCarthy at 6 reports that his Corolla WRC, which was without engine, gearbox and a whole lot more a couple of days ago, is altogether and now running well. Liam, who has event sponsor Kieran Murphy co-driving, is trying slightly lower gearing this time, which should give the Corolla more punch. Donie O'Sullivan at 6 was looking remarkably relaxed before the start, the Bio-Clear man, who came originally from the little village of Cullen, not all that far from the Saturday stages, really looking forward to driving Kenny McKinstry's West Cork winning Impreza P2000 WRC.

Welshman Melvyn Evans at 8 could be a real dark horse this weekend. On the recent Wexford Rally Melvyn was right with Eamonn Boland in stage times, but then his Impreza WRC shed a small plastic cable connector which wrapped itself round the fan belt and then cut through the wiring loom. That is in the past, Melvyn remarking, "I like the stages here, hope we have a good run to see how we match up to the Tarmac drivers. If it goes well, I may 'up-spec' the car and have a go at the Tarmac Championship next year." Maurice Gass at 10 was making no predictions about his chances, saying, "I'll have to learn how to drive an S8 again - ask me after about 5 stages!"

Outside the top ten, the entry is no less interesting - Tim McNulty at 11, in another Impreza WRC, said, "I'll be a bit raw to start, but we'll be alright." Denis Cronin at 12 is in the first of the two wheel drive cars, in his BMW M3, and should provide his own brand of fireworks. Ray Breen at 14 has a very, quick Metro 6R4. Tommy Graham at 15 has a new Prodrive engine in his Impreza WRC. Barry Coleman at 16 has Llinos Jones-Edwards co-driving his Impreza WRC and, on home soil, could go well. JJ Fleming at 22 in yet another Impreza WRC, has the irrepressible Jakes Kelly, celebrating his birthday today, co-driving, while Noel Redmond, tucked away at 26 in his Hyundai WRC, could well be there or thereabouts come Sunday night. (Killian Duffy is co-driving for Noel)

Besides the battle of the 'big boys' at the front, the GpN tussle should be no less frenetic - Roy White in the FESP Lancer is, on paper, favourite to win the category in the Tarmac Championship. Aaron McHale and Seamus Leonard can also win it. If Seamus Leonard in his Subaru wins, and Roy finishes 6th or better, Roy takes the title. If Aaron wins and Roy finishes 4th GpN or better, Roy still takes the title. Roy commented, "It's for me to win or throw it away. It has been a long season - it would be nice to win it." Leonard commented "The pressure is on Roy".  Aaron MacHale said, "We've had a bit of work done to the car, going to give it a go." There are lots more angles to GpN. The Barbadian Rally Champion, Barry Gale, is in the line up, plus a couple more of the new model Subarus, most notably in the hands of Suir Engineering's Eoin Doyle as well as Willie Fannin. (Padraig Price's son Richard is co-driving for Fannin.) Further aspects to the rally include the race for best Escort  honours, with John Moynihan probably favourite, especially on his home Millstreet patch and James O'Brien co-driving. There is also the climax to the Ford Ireland Focus and Ka Championships, of which more later.
RallyNews No.2 after stage 1. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net