Irish Notes Mon 18^th Nov.02.

Norman Armstrong cruised to victory an last Satuday’s Gullion Stages. This new event run by Newry and District MC, was used to give younger club members a chance at event organisation. Seamus Donnelly was 2^nd with Brian Armstrong 3^rd, the top three all driving Escorts.

Ollie O’Donovan has been confirmed as the new 023 Tiles Southern Four Champion. The London based Limerick driver finished the year 2 points clear of Cork’s Liam McCarthy and Co Antrim driver Nigel Hicklin. O’Donovan’s co-driver, David Moynhian also takes the title on a tie break from Sam McMullin.

Inaugural Ford Focus Champion Colm Murphy will test a M-Sport Focus WRC in Cumbria this week as part of his championship prize. A further test in a S1600 Puma is due in December.

Johnny O’Sullivan was victorious on last Sunday’s Banna Beach Kerry Single Stage. Driving his usual Escort WRC, the Killarney driver headed home 2^nd placed Ed Synan in his Manta, while Donie O’Sullivan took 3^rd in his recently acquired Mk2 Escort. Billy Coleman award nominee Dessie Keenan finished 5^th, this time driving an Escort.

Gerry Keyes is the 2002 Ford of Ireland KA Rally Champion after his 3^rd place on The Kerry Single Stage. Mark Kane took a narrow victory on the day with Limerick’s David Lyons coming home 2^nd on both the rally and the championship.

Tim McNulty has recently part exchanged his ex-Bertie Fisher Impreza for a 2001 spec 4 door Impreza WRC S7. Originally built for Marko Martin and campaigned this year by Derek McGarrity, McNulty plans an assault on next season’s Tarmac Championship in the Harper Preparations machine.

Motorsport Ireland recently announced the short list for this year’s prestigious Billy Coleman Award. The three drivers nominated are John Carroll Co Kilkenny, Shaun Gallagher Co Donegal and Dessie Keenan Co Monaghan. The award will be made at the Alfa Romeo Awards for Excellence in Irish Motorsport lunch scheduled for 2nd December.

Michael Patterson.