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Irish Notes 23.01.02
Robert
Woodside came through strongly to win the UAC/500MC's six stage
rally at Kirkistown. Woodside, driving a Kenny McKinstry Impreza
WRC and co-driven by his girlfriend Victoria Elliott lost time on
the first stage when he couldn't find the heated front screen
button. Once into his stride however the Ballynure man quickly
overhauled Owen Lamont in a similar Impreza WRC to win by 9
seconds. Cahal Arthurs took 3rd just ahead of David Greer who was
delayed in his Corolla WRC firstly with a broken driveshaft, then
a puncture. Nigel Hicklin took 5th and won GpN. Interestingly
amongst the good crowd of spectators was a certain Eddie Irvine,
no doubt revisiting his roots.
Consternation
greeted the news that this weekend's Mitchelstown Forestry Rally,
opening round of the KBB Doors Championship, has almost 150
entries for just 80 places. The forestry series was in the
doldrums for many years, but has now really taken off. Former
Champion Dermot Kelly, who is having a new Escort WRC built, is
top seed, ahead of Dominic McNeill, Kevin O'Kane, Charlie
Donnelly, Eugene Donnelly, Eamonn Boland and current Champion
Niall Driver.
Regulations
for the Circuit of Ireland, opening round of the Tarmac
Championship, are available this week. The three-day Easter
weekend event, as well as playing host to the plethora of WRC,
GpA & GpN machines believed to be contesting the
Championship, will also cater for modified and historic cars.
Part of the Circuit, the Easter Monday Stages, caters for NI
Championship contenders. Requests for Circuit regulations
can be channeled through office@ulsterac.dircom.co.uk or
telephone the Ulster Auto Club, weekday mornings 02890 90426262.
Some
doubts have been expressed by competitors concerning the
viability of the final two rounds of the Tarmac series, the Cork
'20' and Galway. Frank O'Mahony, the highly respected President
of the Munster club who organise Cork, gives a 100% reassurance
that the event is on course, with similar assurances emanating
from Galway.
Robert
Woodside, former NI Sprint Champion and outright winner of the
Toshiba Rally in 2000, has secured the services of Dean Beckett
to co-drive on the Pirelli British Championship this year. Dean
Beckett co-drove Ian Greer through his Tarmac Championship
winning days, as well as Luxembourg and Ypres. Indeed he also sat
with Woodside for the Toshiba victory.
Denis
Biggerstaff received his NI Rally Champion's Trophy at last
week's ANICC prizegiving. The 6R4 driver declared his intention
to defend his crown on this year's series. David Crossen received
the award for Junior Champion. The MSA's Allan Dean-Lewis
was on hand to present the magnificent trophy and £1000 cheque
to representative's of Magherafelt MC for winning the UK wide
Club of the Year Award. Organiser Nicky Moffitt received the 2001
NI Motor Sport Award, for which were also shortlisted Ian Greer,
Garry Jennings, Denis Biggerstaff and Stephen Kane.
Cork
man Donie O'Sullivan has clinched a deal to secure the new
Prodrive GpN Subaru as seen at the Autosport Show. Donie, 31 year
old MD of Bio-Clear in Ireland, was setting some impressive stage
times in his ADR run Escort Cosworth two years ago. However Donie
called a halt when his brother Timmie, who co-drove for him, was
killed in a road accident just 12 months ago. Donie plans to
contest the Tarmac Championship this year, and this will be
somewhat of a new beginning. Paul Nagle will sit with Donie on
'non-clashing' rounds of the Tarmac Championship, and with Garry
Jennings on the Pirelli British Open. Donie commented about the
new deal, "I'm thrilled to be buying a new car from Prodrive,
and all that entails in technical backing. I just can't wait to
get going. The new car will not be ready for the Circuit, but
will definitely be here for the Killarney Lakes."
Brian Patterson.
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ã 2002 www.rallynews.net
(Patterson Agencies). All rights reserved. Unauthorised
duplication is a violation of applicable laws. 26/08/02 10:51
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