RALLY NEWS NO.1                        Clonmel - Sunday morning 09.00

Eugene Donnelly heads a spectacularly star studded entry on this Stonethrowers Rally, the Maghera man fresh from the Dogleap rally yesterday through the forests of Co Derry. The name of the game for the top drivers here in Clonmel is chasing points in the Dunlop National Championship as well as the Triton Showers South East Rally series. Two drivers in particular, Donnelly and Michael Barrable, both driving Subarus, are locked in battle for Dunlop Championship supremacy. In theory at least Barrable should have the upper hand here in Co. Tipperary. He is driving a newer model Impreza WRC than Eugene's '98 example, and former racing driver Michael also loves fast open stages, which is predominantly the picture here in Tipperary. Having said that, anything can happen in rallying, that's what it is all about.

The story at the front is not just about these two of course. There are many other drivers who are perfectly capable of winning here. Peadar Hurson (No3) maybe hasn't reached his full potential in his new Subaru, but he is undoubtedly one of the fastest men in the country and should fly here. Adrian McElvaney at No5 is one of the new stars, and is improving event by event. Sean Gallagher at 6 in his Escort Cosworth is always 'there or thereabouts'. Jim Harrison, over from England specially for the rally and driving  Kenny McKinstry's 2000 Impreza WRC is hungry for his first National win and more than capable of taking it if only the cards would fall right. Jim has just had a major shakedown in the Subaru up in the Comeragh Mountains and is bursting to get at the rally. Niall Maguire at 8 is the current Dunlop National Champion and no stranger to success here in Clonmel. JJ Fleming at 9 is driving the Circuit of Ireland winning Impreza WRC and should go well, while David McNulty rounds off the top ten. The No1 slot has been left blank in respect of the late great Frank Meagher.

Just outside the top ten we have a couple of drivers who won't be a mile away from the podium if they get a decent run - Maurice Gass at No 11 for example is always quick and this weekend is trying Derek McGarrity's latest model Impreza S8.

Principal non-starter from the top runners is Peugeot works driver Gary Jennings who landed himself in Erne hospital with a dislocated hip sustained in a Friday evening water skiing accident. Changes to co-driver include Sean Mullally sitting in with Triton Showers supremo Kevin Barrett. Paul McLaughlin with Niall Maguire, Killian Duffy with Derrick Jobb, James O'Brien with Alan Ring, Greg Shinnors with Eddie Garry in the new series 9 Subaru, Keeffe Kilcoyne co-driving for David McNulty.  Further non-starters include Peter & Bess Hughes whose Corsa got damaged in a testing accident yesterday. The cars do not start in programme order this morning - Niall Maguire is first on the road, Michael Barrable second, Peadard Hurson third, then Eugene Donnelly, Adrian McElvaney etc. Noel Redmond (No.22) starts 14th on the road.

Looking away from Clonmel, Kevin Lynch took his Impreza WRC to victory on yesterday's Dogleap, from Glenn Allen with Eugene Donnelly 3rd. Marko Martin still leads Rally Finland in hi Focus WRC. More news later. BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON                 www.rallynews.net