Frank Meagher in a Sapphire Cosworth along with Brian Murphy in Stan Harper’s RHD Impreza WRC join the KBB Doors Championship regulars on this Sunday’s 2^nd round at Carrick on Suir’s Wm. Loughman Memorial Rally. Dominic McNeill in his Escort WRC leads the series following his 1^st round victory at Mitchelstown, with Ollie O’Donovan 2^nd in the points and defending champion Niall Driver 3^rd. Former Champion Dermot Kelly is re-joining the fray in a newly built Escort Cosworth.

Limerick’s Davie Lyons is upgrading from Mk2 Escort to Ford Ka for this yar’s Ford Ireland Challenge and SW Coast series. Davie (087 9617177) is also looking for a new co-driver.

Daniel Doherty has acquired the ex-Petter Solberg P2000 Subaru Impreza WRC and is planning to contest all 8 rounds of the Irish Tarmac Championship. Brother Michael will co-drive and Keystone Lintels are again the major sponsors. Daniel has driven the car briefly and is delighted with it. "It’s brilliant, to drive and to look at" reports the Donegal man. " I am planning to do some extensive testing towards the end of the month. I will need some miles to familiarise myself with the sequential box, but I’m really looking forward to the first rally".

James Halligan, normally seen servicing for Kevin Barrett, is planning to contest the Peugeot 206 Cup this year and is also looking for a co-driver, preferably with some experience. James raced motorcycles for many years and has some rallycross experience. He can be contacted on 00353 86 8568504.

At a glittering press conference in Belfast’s Waterfront hall this week, Denis Biggerstaff pledged to defend his NI Stage Champion’s title, while Mark Crowe renewed his sponsorship of the televised series. The first of the 8 events kicks off with this Saturday’s Eurocables backed North Armagh Club’s Kirkistown Rally. Trevor Moore, Owen Lamont and Gary White are all expected to be front runners. 137 entries have been received, and include Hugh Dunne in his Impreza, Glenn Allen, Eugene Donnelly, Tommy Graham and Dickie Curran in a new Mitsubishi.

James O’Sullivan, through his "023 Tiles" shops has stepped in to sponsor the Southern 4 Championship. The following events make up the championship: West Cork, Killarney Lakes, Munster, Cork 20 and the Fastnet Rally, with 4 out of the 5 rounds to count. Regulations will be available soon. For more information telephone 00353 86 3600645.