RALLY NEWS NO.1                                                               Rally HQ - Sunday 09.00

Admittedly Niall Maguire didn't win on his last rally outing in Carlow. Nor did he score maximum Dunlop National Championship points. However, he came close, especially considering he put his Subaru off the road for a time on the opening Carlow Stage. Prior to that run on the far side of the country, Monaghan man Niall seemed unstoppable in his bid to regain the National crown he last held in 1999. He has chalked up three maximum scores on the trot since the start of the season. The big question here on this Hotel Kilmore Cavan event will be, is there anyone going to topple Niall from his current Championship leading throne. There are certainly several drivers who are going to be trying very hard.

Immediately behind Niall is Michael Barrable in his new Subaru. Dublin man Michael finished ahead of Niall on their Carlow encounter and would dearly love to do the same today. At 3 is Tim McNulty, in the Pierse Subaru. Tim had high hopes for this Dunlop Championship at the turn of the year. So far it hasn't worked out, but today he gets another chance to do something about that and no doubt he will be on the pace.
Breaking the Subaru pattern is No4 seed Eugene Donnelly. Although classified as a 'Magherafelt' man, Eugene is currently based here in Cavan in connection with the Bio-Clear concern, and nothing would give him a greater kick than to win Cavan. He has had some great results over the years here, so it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that he could do it today, particularly bearing in mind that he is 'right on the pipe', having won last weekend in Cork.

Mike Gibson is now co driving for Hugh Dunne, the pair running at 5.  This is Naas man Hugh's first outing since his Midland's accident earlier this year, and once he settles down no doubt he will produce his usual flair.  David Armstrong is at 6 in his Escort Cosworth, David having produced a string of consistent top 10 placings this year. Patrick Elliott at No.7 is very much on his home patch and will be trying to uphold local honours. One small problem for Patrick is that he is just getting over a severe bout of food poisoning. As "the man on the ground" Patrick is also very much of the opinion that today's 3 stages are deceptively tough, with a lot of hidden snags.  Sean Gallagher at 8 has been a model of consistency this year in his red Escort Cosworth, and indeed is currently lying 2nd in the Dunlop series behind Maguire.

Andrew Stewart at 9 is the first of the gpN cars with Aaron McHale next showroom runner at 19. Then Michael Shaw, Martin Brady and Adrian McElvaney, 21, 22 and 23 - all will be bidding for gpN kudos.  It is interesting to see young McHale getting such a high seeding - he has come on in leaps and bounds since he got his Lancer. There is more to the rally of course than the battle at the top - the class tussles should be fascinating.  In class 13 for example, Mac McKenna, Norman Armstrong and Mervyn Wedlock will provide their own Mk2 Escort fireworks.  Kerry's Tom Randles and Enda Keenan will fight for class 14 honours.  In class 12 Trevor Lancashire will be the man to beat. Some non-starters include - Ivan Stewart, Kevin Barrett and Mickey McArdle. More news later. BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON