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RALLY NEWS NO.1 Service..Sunday 12 noon
www.rallynews.net
There is more than a full entry for today's rally, with a lot
of reserves disappointed not to get a run. The No. 1 start number
has been left vacant in respect of the Fisher tragedy, so Mervyn
Wedlock, with No.2 on his Escort, leads the 130 strong field
away. Mervyn, with Philip Smith co-driving, won the Ardee
event before Christmas. They will almost certainly be the yardstick
of pace today. Having said that, there is an interesting and
strong array of drivers behind the lead Escort, so anything can
happen. Clerk of the Course Eoin Longworth has laid on a good
interesting stage, fast and flowing but slippy enough with mud
after the wet weather, and it should provide a stern challenge.
Running immediately behind Wedlock is Mick McQuaid, on his first
outing since his big rally accident last year. Mick is debuting
a new DOME Escort, hasn't really driven it yet, and will probably
be taking it handy enough. David Percy, Gordon Rodgers, John
O'Sullivan, Tom Holton, Pat Higgins, Freddie Walker, John Hickey
and John Hennessy make up the leading ten. All are in various
types of Escorts except for Ennis man O'Sullivan who is in his
usual Peugeot. Indeed Escorts are the predominant car today.
There are very few non-starters amngst the top runners, just
No.16 missing.
As the first few drivers arrived in here to service from the
familiarisation run, they reported the stage to be very slippy
in places, patchy. Tyre choice will be a problem.
Reportedly Aidan Walsh's Chevette is stopped on the stage with
oil smoke coming from under the bonnet. Mervyn Wedlock
reckons he will tackle the first proper stage with intermediate
type tyres. Other drivers are determined to take the bull by
the horns and go with slicks. Mick McQuaid tells us that
his new Escort seems to be very bumpy in the back suspension,
but otherwise quite nice.
This Birr stage is very much an opportunity for new drivers to
the sport to get a run, one such crew being Emily and Katherine
O'Mahony from Cork. The girls are on their first event,
having obtained a Ford Ka, and are supported by their well known
rallying father Frank, and his co-driver Hugh McPhillips. Gerry
Reilly/Brian Sharkey have been moved up from the reserves, they
are running 134 but are starting between cars 11 and 12 in their
red Civic. More news to follow after first stage..BRIAN
& LIZ PATTERSON |
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