RallyNews No1 Cork 20 International Rally

RALLY NEWS NO.1 Cork City - Saturday morning… early

"So near and yet so far" fairly sums up Andrew Nesbitt's Tarmac Championship position starting this penultimate round. Andrew needs just one more point to clinch his second Tarmac title. Considering that Armagh man Andrew has scored victory or maximum points on every event during the last two years, it would appear to be a simple enough task to take a single point. However the Munster Club has laid on a demanding, classic route where any slip could cost dear. In addition, lined up behind Andrew's 22 Motorsport prepared, and Pirelli shod so far ultra reliable, Subaru, is a top line-up packed with some very talented drivers. At two is Eamonn Boland, fresh from another win in Wexford. Eamonn is also in an ultra reliable, even newer specification Impreza WRC than Nesbitt's and is the only man who could, albeit mathematically, take the title away from the Armagh man. At 3 is Austin McHale, returning here in Cork to the arena of some of his finest drives. Austin reports a test last night with his Corolla went very well - "We have a new set-up with the car, a bit softer with the suspension, different engine mapping, it feels very good. I'm really looking forward to the rally." Then its Peadar Hurson at 4, the Warrenpoint man showing flashes of brilliance all season but yet to translate that into a result. Could this be Peadar's weekend? Donal O'Donovan, like Hurson in a Celica, slots in at 5 instead of Michael Barrable. O'Donovan is close to his home Dunmanway patch here, and although he admits he is rusty through lack of competition practice, Donal could be a man to be reckoned with. Melvyn Evans (6) in an Escort WRC, Liam McCarthy (7) in the Murphy Construction Corolla WRC, Maurice Gass (8) in an Impreza WRC, Ollie O'Donovan (9) in an Impreza, not the Hyundai, Steve Fleck (10) in an Impreza WRC complete the top 10.

That's just a taster of the opposition Nesbitt will face. He commented at last night's scrutineering session in the Munster Agricultural Showgrounds. "We have had a test in the car and it feels good. We had the engine in a very high state of tune especially for the Ulster Rally, but we had a touch of pre-detonation there, so its been notched back to the state its been in for most of the season. The stages here are good, but could be treacherous if it rains. We are definitely thinking of that Tarmac point, not just the win, and I think there will be some very good battles in the top ten. One other thing I want to do before the rally starts, and that is to congratulate Robbie McGurk on his brilliant Bushwhacker win last week. He has helped me many times with my rallying and I reckon he is one of the finest gravel drivers in these islands!"

Outside the top ten is Tim McNulty at 11(Subaru), then Killarney's Johnny O'Sullivan, this year's 023 Tiles Southern 4 Champion, at 12 in an Escort WRC. Hugh Dunne was to be at 14, but is non-starting which leaves Kevin Barrett next up with no 15 on in his Triton Showers Subaru. Then it is into the top GpN cars, with the battle between Trevor Cathers, Roy White, Seamus Leonard, Bob Fowden and a whole lot more expected to be electric. Further down the list there is sure to be lots of excitement amongst the Ford Ireland Focus and Ka Championship contenders. There will be many class battles and with almost 150 cars in the main rally, plus the Historics, there will be more than enough to keep everyone on their toes! Just a few more of the many entry changes include Harold Morley from Barbadoes running at 26 instead of Sean McArdle. Morley drives Seamus Leonard's new GpN Impreza, Seamus switching to his 2 door car, complete with 17" wheels by special dispensation. Greg mCCarthy is co-driving Barry Coleman, Anthony Donnelly for Dickie Curran. More news after stage 1: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net