|
|
RALLY NEWS NO.1
Gleneagle Hotel/Friday evening
The sobering although not entirely unexpected early news on this Gleneagle Hotel
Rally of the Lakes is that No.1 seed Andrew Nesbitt is non starting. Last year's
winner and current Tarmac Champion Andrew made every effort we are told to get a
deal together but it didn't happen. This leaves Austin MacHale, with No.2 on his
Subaru, first on the road, Derek McGarrity (No.3) in the yellow Pirelli Subaru
2nd on the road and Eamonn Boland, like McGarrity in an S8 Impreza WRC, now 3rd
in the running order. Ironically Derek's yellow Subaru, immaculate and unmarked
after winning the Circuit, has just had the door smashed in a reverse manoeuvre
by a Prodrive engineer at the guest house. Derek's mechanics are faced with the
job of taking the door off Maurice Gass's road car and fitting that, and also
then persuade Noreen Marshall to give them new decals! Derek commented about the
rally, "I was really looking forward to it, still am, despite this, can't
wait to get on the first stage." The Circuit of Ireland winner continued,
"I'd love to make up for last year, when we were leading and then got
knocked back by a puncture." When asked about tactics, Derek went on,
"Flat out is the only way, can't fall asleep in this company. I would
prefer it if Andrew was here though, I really wanted to beat him." What
company indeed. Austin MacHale, his 3rd place on the Circuit in his new
Subaru masking some quickest times. Eamonn Boland, 2nd here last year and always
so close, Eugene Donnelly and Donie O'Sullivan, both in Subarus, both on their
first run since accidents. Peadar Hurson at 6, still looking to get into his
stride with his new Subaru WRC. If and when he does, it will probably be a case
of stand well back! Maurice Gass, one of the most improved drivers in Irish
rallying, really getting into the big time.
Austin MacHale, whose Impreza WRC engine and box went back across to Prodrive
for refettling after last weekend's Pirelli Rally commented, "The rally
should be really interesting. I'm looking forward to it. My engine feels a lot
sharper, we've been testing, and the car feels good." Talking of testing,
there was a huge crowd out at the test stage on the Cork road last night, many
drivers taking advantage of the facility, especially as there are no road miles
out to the fearsome first stage Molls Gap. Back to the competition - Liam
McCarthy at 10 breaks the Subaru run with his Corolla WRC - Liam knows the roads
here well and shouldn't be a mile away. Tim McNulty, Barry Coleman, Johnny
O'Sullivan, Tom Holton, Paddy White, they are all capable of mixing it.
Then we move into the lead GP N cars, with Roy White, fresh from his Circuit of
Ireland category win in the FESP backed red Lancer, the benchmark. Last year it
was Roy chasing Trevor Cathers, this time it is the other way round, with Omagh
man Trevor wondering how he will fare against the young cub from Tipperary.
Trevor is driving Willie John Dolan's four door Impreza, the car fresh back from
Prodrive and complete with all the updates. Aaron McHale, Dickie Curran, Andrew
Stewart, Gerry McVeigh, all GpN, all sure to have a say in this weekend's
happenings. One other major category is of course the race for best 2wd. It
would be a brave man who would bet against Denis Cronin and his fabulous BMW M3,
but just some who will try and depose Denis on his home patch include John
Moynihan, Kieran O'Neill, John Hickey.The Ford Ireland Focus Championship cars
are also 2wd of Course. 9 of those take part this weekend, led by defending
champion Colm Murphy, with Ford Ka Champion Gerry Keyes right behind. The rally
is preceeded by some brilliant GpB cars, there are 147 starters in the main
rally, followed by 16 historics. News on further non-starters include JJ
Fleming, Patrick Elliott, Glyn and Gareth Jones, Seamus Leonard and Tony Kearns.
BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON
|
|
