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RALLY NEWS
NO.1 Rochestown Park Hotel..Friday..late
Icing on the cake for this Cork '20' is the inclusion of 1991
and '94 winner Kenny McKinstry driving a Subaru WRC for the first
time. Banbridge man McKinstry slots in behind Ian Greer, Andrew
Nesbitt, Austin McHale and Frank Meagher. It is literally a Champion
line up. Each and every one of those top five has won at least
one Tarmac Title. All drive World Rally Cars this time. All have
something to prove. In addition we have the intriguing twist
that Ian Greer is the outgoing Champion, Andrew Nesbitt has this
season's title won, even with this final Cork round remaining.
"Like a child with a new toy" was Ian Greer's feeling
as his new Corolla WRC was wheeled out of its trailer this week
at his Hillsborough base after the long haul from Cologne. "The
car is so so special, I just can't get enough of it". Ian,
backed again by Taranto De Pol is bidding for his Cork '20' hat-trick
this time. Only Billy Coleman has ever achieved that. It won't
be easy for Greer. Behind him for starters is Andrew Nesbitt,
the Tarmac title safely under his belt. The Armagh based Cross
Refrigeration director has arguably been the fastest man on the
Irish stages this year in his Pirelli shod Subaru WRC. With the
title tucked away, he will surely show no restraint this weekend.
Third in the line-up is five times Tarmac Champion Austin McHale.
He stoked his confidence up again when winning Rally Ireland,
has won here in Cork four times,and must surely be in the frame
this weekend. Frank Meagher is 4th in the 'big five' line up.
The Cloneen man is in a stunning ex M-Sport Ford Focus. Former
Tarmac Champ Frank has so far found the car smooth and tractable
to drive, and is in top form. Backing for Frank's new Ford comes
from the "Dance To Tipperary" band and Virgin Megastore.
So far we have mentioned only the top five. There are lots of
very good drivers outside of that, and indeed on down the list.
Donal O'Donovan at 6 is the defending Southern Four Champion,
and he has shown some real bursts of speed as he has at long
last got into the way of his Celica. Then its Frank O'Mahony
and Sean McArdle @ 9 & 10, with Johnny O'Sullivan at 12 in
his Escort WRC. The latter is in with a chance of taking O'Donovan's
Southern Four title. Niall McShea, with some backing from Innishannon's
Denis & Mary Ryan, is at 14 in his Citroen. Really good drivers
continue on down the list, which also includes Irish and cross-channel
Ford Ka Championship drivers.
The highest seeded GpN driver is Derry's Seamus Heron, with Roy
White in his Lancer's tyre tracks. They run at 23 & 24, with
top local GpN man Liam Davis at 27. The various classes, as well
as Historics, are all strongly represented. Some changes to the
programme entry list include Joe Downey co-driving for McHale.
Sean Mullally sits with McKinstry, MJ Morrissey with O'Donovan.
Non starters include Peadar Hurson, Liam McCarthy, Melvyn Evans,
Steve Fleck, Graham Middleton and Joe McGurk who has gone down
with blood poisoning. More News from service, BRIAN & LIZ
PATTERSON |
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