There's an impressive line up of top cars and drivers for today's rally, even despite the fact that the KBB Doors forestry series is currently on hold for this season. The feeling of the rally, the ambience, bodes well for next year when hopefully the Champioship gets back on course.

There are over 20 four wheel drive machines in the 100 plus strong list today. Top seed is last year's winner, Dermot Kelly. The Charleville man has a new World Rally Car being prepared, but today he is driving the same group A Escort Cosworth with which he won the rally last year. Interestingly, Sean Cassidy has bought this car, and generously offered the use of it for Dermot today. Behind him is Kevin O'Kane, fresh from his 5th place on yesterday's Ballynahinch Rally with his Subaru. Denis Biggerstaff won Ballynahinch with Trevor More 2nd, Phil Cherry 3rd and Raymond Mason 4th. At No.3 today is Dominic McNeill in his new Escort WRC. Then it is Ballymoney's John McKeown. John hasn't been out for a while but he is never far from the front in any forest rally in his venerable 4 wheel drive 3 door Sierra Cosworth. Peter McCullagh is next up. His Escort Cosworth has had much development work recently, and is a now a very potent machine. At 6 is Eugene Donnelly. The Maghera man has just bought the former Andrew Nesbitt, Donegal winning Celica, from David Greer. Eugene is reckoned to be one of the fastest Irish men in the forests. It may take a mile or two for him to get used to this superb new car, so we will not expect too much too soon, but if all goes well Eugene could be the man, before the day is out.

London based Limerick man Ollie O'Donovan is at 7 in his exciting ex works Legacy. Ollie has never been here to the Lismore forests but he is one man who isn't afraid to put the car sideways, and again could be a surprise package. John Donnelly is next up in his Escort Cosworth and then it's John McCarthy, the agricultural equipment man, in his Escort Cosworth. John has good experience of these forests, and again could be right in the hunt. James Murphy rounds off the top 10 but there arfe a lot more good drivers outside that...Noel Driver at 11 always goes well, as does Cathal Rogers at 12. Limavady fencing contractor Cathal has hired an Evo5 for today. There is another Celica at 14 driven by Eddie Kinirons and along with Brian McCluskey at 15 they could make an impression on the leaderboard before the day is out. One of the heartening features of today's rally is the number of top tarmac drivers who have decided to have a run in the woods. Not least Denis Cronin who is in a Mk2 Escort today and Ruan's Anthony O'Haloran is returning to the forests with his Opel Manta 400.

Looking ahead - Tom Nolan has organised an Open Forum for all interested parties connected with the Forestry Championship for 23rd September in the Carlow's Seven Oaks for 2pm. Meanwhile, news from abroad is that Eamonn Boland is battling for 2nd/3rd on the Flanders Rally in Belgium. Roy White's Lancer has sustained a puncture and slipped to 9th and 3rd in gpN. Brendan Kelly is just outside the top 10 having incurred some penalties after turbo problems with his Lancer.

More news later..BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON