The
2003 season kicks off properly
today with this Willie Loughman
Rally, opening round of the KBB
Doors National Forestry
Championship and also the first
round of the Triton Showers
South East Championship.
Previous winner Dermot Kelly
will lead the cars away from
the Suirway Forklifts start to
tackle the ten demanding stages
on schedule today. Kelly will
drive his usual Escort WRC, and
with John Brennan on the notes
today, the Limerick man will be
looking for a victory today
after his disappointing 2002
season.
Kevin O’Kane has made the
long trip from Omagh, along
with Stephen Griffith in their
Impreza, former Forestry
Champion will be keen to get
his season off to a good start.
Another travelling down from
the North is number three seed,
John Donnelly in his recently
acquired Escort WRC. John gave
the car its debut at the
Tardree Stages a couple of
weeks ago and will be keen to
put on a good show.
Last years winner Robbie
McGuirk is here in his usual
role as engineer and when asked
for a tip for the rally the
Omagh man immediately replied
" Garry Jennings ".
Garry brings the ex works
Peugeot 106 Maxi to the Carrick
Forests fresh from his
sensational top ten finish on
last weekends Yorkshire based
Kall Kwik Rally. The works
Peugeot driver here to gain
more experience of the S1600
car in anticipation of the
season ahead. Garry off course
stunned the regulars here last
year with his giant killing
drive in his 106 supercup car.
Other drivers out to prove a
point will no doubt include
John McCarthy in his Impreza
and Eddie Kinirons in his
Celica. Paul Staunton is
another to watch while Kieran
Molloy should be the top Group
N runner in his Lancer Evo 6.
Today also sees the start of
the Ford Rallysport KA
Championship with 15 registered
competitors lining up in the
little pocket rockets. Expect
business as usual from top KA
drivers John Carroll and Ian
Chadwick, no doubt battling for
the seconds once again.
Some changes to the entry
list include David James seeded
at 55 will run 11th
on the road and Gareth McHale
who carries 104 on his Peugeot
will run 22nd on the
road. Significant non starters
include John Reid (13), Brian
McCloskey (15) and Tom McGee
(35).
More News Later …..
Michael Patterson & Zoe
Todd
