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PREVIEW Former World Rally Champion Miki Biasion, former European Champion Patrick Snijers, along with current World Championship stars Richard Burns and Freddy Loix, join the top Irish drivers in what should be a rallying bonanza at the World Rally Masters at Punchestown racecourse this Saturday. Along with the array of World Rally cars competing there will also be a selection of top rallycross machinery ranging from Dermot Carnegie's Focus to Terry Briggs’ Audi TT. Biasion will drive a factory Punto Kit Car, Snijers the latest GpN Impreza from Prodrive, Richard Burns a current WRC Subaru and Loix a current Mitsubishi WRC. Chief Irish opposition for the visitors should come from reigning Tarmac Champion Andrew Nesbitt in his Impreza WRC, the inaugural Punchestown winner, along with former 5 times Tarmac Champion Austin McHale in his Corolla WRC and another previous Tarmac Champion, Frank Meagher, in his Focus WRC. There are several other drivers among the 35 invited entries who should be in the thick of the action, amongst them Derek McGarrity, James Cullen and Daniel Doherty, all driving Subarus. Cullen has the Republic’s Minister for Sport, Tourism & Recreation, Dr James McDaid, co-driving. Reflecting this, the day will be about more than out and out competition, with celebrity co-drivers all adding to the festival atmosphere. Celica pilots worth watching include Michael Barrable and Peadar Hurson, while Denis Biggerstaff in his 6R4 should be more than an outside bet to get close to the top times. Action starts at Punchestown, which is located just outside Naas at 10.30 with a familiarisation run followed by 6 special stages. Top Ten seeding:- 1 Richard Burns (Subaru Impreza WRC). 2 Freddy Loix (Mitsubishi Carisma). 3 Miki Biasion (Fiat Punto Kit Car). 4 Patrick Snijers (Subaru Impreza N). 5 Andrew Nesbitt (Subaru Impreza WRC). 6 Austin McHale (Toyota Corolla WRC). 7 Frank Meagher (Ford Focus WRC). 8 James Cullen (Ford Focus WRC). 9 Daniel Doherty (Subaru Impreza WRC). 10 Derek McGarrity (Subaru Impreza WRC).
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