The scene is set here today in Tralee for a great rally, with five times Tarmac Champion Austin McHale debuting the very latest Subaru Impreza World Rally Car. Also debuting a new Subaru WRC is Tim McNulty, while Patrick Elliott and Donie O'Sullivan are two more in the Japanese super cars. This Circuit of Kerry Rally is normally a round of the Dunlop National Championship, but is on an "opt-out" year, so drivers like Austin can come and compete, use the rally as a fabulous test venue, and not upset the balance of the National series. The rally is a counter in the Ford of Ireland KA series and the Top Part West Coast Championship, so there will be plenty of competition in that department. Unfortunately there are a few non starters from the top end of the original entry list - Niall Maguire, Peadar Hurson and Hal Lewis are just three who have been forced to withdraw because of engine difficulties with their various machines.

There's more than enough left however to provide a great day's rallying. Austin McHale commented last night as he relaxed over a pint in the packed Abbeygate Hotel bar, "We've done a bit of testing with the new car. It feels good, easy to drive. I feel comfortable. The stages here are a bit quick in places, but I've done some of them on old Circuits of Ireland, and it's always a great place to rally". Austin, first on the road, runs with No 2 on his Pirelli backed Subaru, while next up to Tim McNulty (NO.4). Tim has made the move up from the ex Bertie Fisher GpA car to this World Rally version and commented "The new car feels a great package. It sits lower, the braking and handling are so much better, nothing short of magic. We've been testing in Cork, and the rally here in Tralee is another step towards getting ready for the Circuit of Ireland in two weeks time". Cavan man Patrick Elliott is next in the line up, and runs with 5 on his Impreza WRC. He said before the start, "I'm really looking forward to it. This will be the first time I'll have driven this car on dry roads!.

Completing the top four is Killarney man Donie O'Sullivan. He has hired a McKinstry Subaru WRC. He said after a test session yesterday, "I'm amazed at how easy the car is to drive. Ok, getting the last bit out of it may be a different matter, but it feels really good so far". Next up is Aaron McHale, with 11 on his Lancer. Aaron spearheads the GpN contingent on the rally, with Roy White, Gerry McKiernan, Tony Kearns and Eoin Doyle just some of his expected opposition for GpN Honours.

Aaron has a new "dog" box in his Mitsubishi, so that may take a bit of getting used to. Roy White was having some last minute dramas with tyres as we went to press. Tony Kearns, the outright winner here in 92 is on a bit of a learning curve with his Robbie McGurk hired Lancer, while Eoin Doyle is still in his old GpN Subaru as he awaits his new machine to be built by Prodrive. In the Ford Ireland KA contest, points leader Vivian Noone had a drama packed few hours on the run up to the rally, as his machine had some engine difficulties, happily now sorted. He will be under pressure today from Owen Fogarty and Ian Chadwick, 2^nd and 3^rd in the points.

Switching back to the WRC scene, Noel Redmond runs 10^th on the road, with the number 18 on his Impreza WRC. The Carlow man was into the top ten on the recent West Cork rally when the clutch blew. That is all now sorted and Noel should be in the thick of action today. There's another Impreza WRC tucked away in the entry list - at 44 - in the hands of Kevin Lynch, a comparitive newcomer to rallying, but already making his mark. The above is just a taster of what we can expect today. The weather looks fine, the Kerry club, under new Clerk of the Course Donal Lynch, has worked hard at setting up the rally, so it should be a good day, and let's hope a safe one for all involved. More news from service, Brian & Liz Patterson.