Omagh’s Kevin O’Kane, driving his usual GpA Subaru Impreza, clinched a fine win on last Saturday’s Omagh MC’s Fivemiletown Forest Stage Rally. Despite some gearbox difficulties former all Ireland forestry Champion O’Kane, co-driven by Francis Regan, finished the six stage event 14 seconds ahead of Ken Graham, the latter on a comeback drive in a Lancer. Paul Barrett, Brendan O’Hagan Nigel Trotter and Brian Dunlop made up the top six.

Garry Jennings has secured sponsorship from Agip lubricants to go alongside his Fisher Engineering backing to enable him to pursue his aim of competing on four rounds of the Tarmac Championship in his Peugeot 106 Maxi. Garry will of course be competing on the Manx, Ulster and Jim Clark events in the 206 Super 1600 as part of his works drive. Also planned in the 106 Maxi are outings on the high profile Punchestown and Lurgan Park events.

Kenny Mckinstry’s daughter Emma will be driving an ex Daniel Dunbabin Peugeot 106 on the Easter Stages, round three of the NI Stage Championship. Emma leads her class in the series. Interestingly, Emma, who will be co driven by Ian Allsop, is only on the reserve list. Her father Kenny is No.1 seed in the Easter stages, but has offered to withdraw his entry so that Emma may get a run.

Pat White will be competing on the Circuit of Ireland in his usual ’98 Impreza WRC but has acquired a much newer version and will drive it from the Killarney Rally of the Lakes onwards.

Mark Robinson, co driven by Kevin McCaughey, took his Corolla to victory on last Sunday’s Sligo Single Stage event. The classic 10 mile stage near Arigna, repeated 3 times, became very slippy with the onset of rain. Gerry Smith was 2^nd in his Escort with Danny & Carol McBride 3^rd in their similar Ford. Local man John McGettrick led the event until half a mile from the end of the last stage when his gearbox broke. No.1 seed Philip Shaw retired 2 miles from the start of the first stage when his throttle linkage broke.

Paul McLaughlin has stepped in to codrive for Seamus Leonard on the Circuit of Ireland. Seamus should be the gpN bench mark in his Subaru. Aaron MacHale reports that his Mitsubishi engine that blew up on the previous weekend’s Kerry rally will not be ready until the day before this weekend’s Circuit of Ireland.

Willie John Dolan makes a return to rallying on the Circuit this weekend. He will drive a gpN Subaru which was new last year and only used for the 3 stages on the Donegal International. The 4 Easter Monday stages on the Circuit are centred around Willie John’s Castlederg home, a major factor in prompting his return.

All top 10 seeds on the Circuit reported ready for action at the first reconnaissance signing on last weekend in Enniskillen. There is still a question mark surrounding which Subaru Andrew Nesbitt will drive. Apparently the choice is down to two.

Cathal Rogers made a late decision to compete on the Circuit of Ireland in his Escort, but then ran into engine problems, and thought he would have to withdraw. However, he has acquired the use of Eugene Donnelly’s famous G3 Escort and the entry is back on course.