A capacity entry of 130 cars will cross over the start line this morning in Clonmel for this year's Stonethrowers Rally. Local superstar Frank Meagher heads the field in his state of the art Ford Focus WRC. Frank partnered today with Michael Maher has his Focus in tip top shape after the recent Punchestown Rally Masters event, and should be a clear favourite for today's event. Northern Ireland's Peadar Hurson is second on the road, but of course carrying No3 in respect to their being no No1, Peadar really looking forward to todays event. His Celica is fully repaired after a light roll at Punchestown two weeks ago, and even though it is nearly ten years since the former National Champion was here, he feels that he and co driver Ian Porter are in with a good chance today.

Wexford man Eamonn Boland is chomping at the bit to get going on a bit of Irish Tarmac again, Eamonn this year having turned to the Belgium Championship in his immaculate NVD backed Subaru WRC, with a fair bit of success. Reigning Dunlop national champion Paul Harris has his usual Impreza at five, and he could be the real dark horse today, while Tim McNulty has his new for him Impreza at six. There is a wide range of exotic world rally cars and GpA machines in the top 20, such people as Tommy Graham in his Escort WRC and George Cullen and Michael Barrable in their respective Celica's, Donegal's Daniel Doherty in his Impreza WRC, all these drivers in with a fair chance of a good result today.

The GpN battle today should be one to watch with local lad Roy White the favourite in his FESP Lancer. Roy another driver contesting this years Belgium Championship, where he is currently 2nd in GpN. This will be Roy's first proper event in his rebuilt Lancer after his big roll in Ypres. Kieran Molloy should be White's closest pursuer, though Brendan Kelly is a non starter at 16. Not to be discounted is James Cribben at 27, the Westmeath man having some recent success in his EVO 6.

Tipperary Light Car and Motorcycle Club have worked tirelessly to put on this year's event. Safety of course is of paramount importance today, but the current Foot and Mouth epidemic is still a major issue, and we would ask that all spectators obey the marshals instructions and respect farmland and livestock as appropriate.

More News Later ..... Michael Patterson and Zoe Todd