Austin McHale has confirmed that he will compete on next weekend’s Circuit of Kerry with his new Impreza WRC. The Tralee based rally has eight long fast stages, and with central service every two stages should provide an ideal warm up for the former five times Tarmac Champion before the Circuit of Ireland.

Maurice Gass (Impreza WRC) and Gary White (Escort WRC) are just two of the leading drivers on this Saturday’s Kilbroney Stages at Rostrevor. The Rathfriland Club has laid on 8 short special stages, with significant changes from last year.

Neil Malcolm, Clerk of the Course of the Circuit of Ireland, reports that he is fast approaching his maximum permitted entry. With only a few days to the closing date, Neil states that there are significant top expected names missing from the list. Just some of the top entries received include Daniel Doherty, Eamonn Boland, Eugene Donnelly and Maurice Gass, all in Impreza WRC’s.

Seven times Circuit of Ireland winner Jimmy McRae is coming over to Belfast next week as a guest at the Easter event’s press conference. Jimmy has expressed great interest in trying to put a deal together to compete once again.

Former NI and National Rally Champion George Robinson, driving his Escort Cosworth, won the St Patricks day Aghadowey Stage event. Letterkenny’s Martin Doherty was 2^nd in his Lancer, while Kevin Lynch added to his Impreza WRC learning curve by taking 3^rd.

John Drislane is making the trip from New York to compete on this Sunday’s Tipperary Forest Rally, 2^nd round of the KBB Doors Forestry Championship. John is hiring a McKinstry Subaru WRC and will be co-driven by Paul Goodman on the Mitchelstown based event. On his last trip to Ireland he finished 3^rd on the Cork forestry, again in a McKinstry Subaru. Current Championship leader is John McCarthy (Subaru), with Dermot Kelly, John Donnelly and Eddie Kinirons just some who should be in the thick of the action through the 9 stages.

Sean Gallagher, co-driver by Liam Costello in the ex Gilleece Escort Cosworth, was the popular winner of his home Carrick on Shannon based Midland Mini Stages event last Sunday. Large crowds of spectators enjoyed the warm sunshine carnival event, with Alan Nesbitt 2^nd in a newly acquired Celica and Pat Donnegan 3^rd in his Escort.

Obituary

It is with sadness we report that Gerry McCollum and Paddy Boyle lost their lives in a road accident last Saturday morning, while on their way to the Midland Mini stages reconnaissance. Jason Kelly was seriously injured in the accident, which happened on the Gortin to Omagh road. Gerry (31) was a popular competitor. Paddy (39) didn’t compete but was well known as the Gortin Park forester and a true rally enthusiast who helped many drivers over a great many years. To their families and friends we offer our deepest condolences and hope as well that Jason makes a full recovery.

Brian Patterson.