RALLY NEWS NO.1                 Kelso/Friday 15.30
This weekend's Jim Clark Memorial Rally, round 4 of the Pirelli British Championship, also plays host to the Pirelli Tarmac Championship, and for the usual BRC competitors means a complete change of emphasis from the forest tracks to the asphalt stages.  There are 18 world rally cars in the top 20, a fabulous array of group N machinery, Super 1600 machines, more than enough to whet any rally enthusiast's appetite. 
Last year's winner Andrew Nesbitt leads the cars away from Kelso. Although registered for the Tarmac Championship, Former 2 times Tarmac Champion Nesbitt is on a limited programme this year and is unlikely to upset the 'status quo' this time.  Behind the Armagh man is Jonny Milner, the current Pirelli British Rally Champion. Jonny said before the start. "I'm looking forward to this. We've spent a day at MIRA playing with tarmac suspension, the car feels really good. As far as I'm concerned its all go. A dry rally would suit me fine, but we'll take it as it comes".  In the BRC Jonny is currently on 40 points and in 4th place. David Higgins leads with 54; Barry Johnson has 42 and young Matthew Wilson 41.  Perhaps this is slightly misleading as Jonny has 2 outright wins to his credit, and if he stays on course, and dropped scores are taken into account, he will be in a much stronger position.  David Higgins, seeded at 5 this weekend, and on his first tarmac outing in the Steve Petch Hyundai WRC, will be under pressure for a maximum score following runner-up spots on the Welsh and Scottish rallies following punctures.  Flat tyres will hopefully not be a problem this weekend, but unpredictable weather and grip levels will be a whole new equation.
Austin MacHale is seeded at No.3 and currently lies 2nd in the Tarmac series, 6th in the BRC, having missed the first round.  Austin was right in the hunt on the Welsh and Scottish rounds, and will be hoping to carry the momentum on here.  Eugene Donnelly is at No.4 this weekend, fresh from winning the Donegal International, and in top form.  The Maghera man said. "We did extensive sorting out on the Corolla for Donegal, and it feels really good. We're using the same set up here. I'm looking forward to this, but the weather could play havoc.  The shiny tar here is like a bottle if it rains.  I want a good clean race with Derek (McGarrity), let Andrew (Nesbitt) do his own thing.  I'm chasing the Tarmac Championship".  For his part, the current Tarmac Champion, and No.1 in the current points, Derek McGarrity, said. "I can't wait to get at the rally. All the damage to the car after the Donegal incident has been sorted out.  We have a new engine fitted, a good recce done.  The stages are similar to last year, about 50 per cent the same, and other bits we recognise". 
Eamonn Boland at 7 drives his fairly unique Lancer WRC.  Eamonn's Donegal outing was blighted with transmission gremlins, but the car has shown real potential and he shouldn't be far away here. Young Matthew Wilson at 8 has proved an absolute revelation this year. The 17-year-old has gone straight in to the deep end and able to cut it with the best.  He may have no Jim Clark Rally experience, but is learning all the time, showing great flair.  Paul Bird at No.9 is another to show fabulous speed this year, and was desperately unlucky to crash out of the Scottish Rally.  Tim McNulty at 10 is one of the front running Irish drivers, a potential top finisher here. He certainly cannot be discounted.  Navan's Paddy White is at 11 in a slightly older model McGarrity Impreza WRC, while he awaits delivery of the first Prodrive right hand drive Impreza WRC. Barry Johnson at 12 is 2nd in the PBRC points and he is really getting to grips now with his Impreza WRC. Steve Perez at 14 in the Vodka Kick Focus WRC has had a touch of bad luck on the last few rallies, so he will be looking to redeem himself this weekend. Dougi Hall rounds off the top 15 in his Focus WRC, Dougi is so quick at times, but prone to a few accidents recently, and he's another who will be looking for a top finish. 
That is only the tip of the iceberg on this Jim Clark Memorial Rally.  The battle for Prodrive Subaru Cup points and Evo Challenge honours amongst the Group N Production runners should he hot and heavy. As will the contest for Super 1600 points and the Fiat Stilo contenders. There are very few changes to the published entry list, a few being - Guy Wilks keeping No.30 on his Suzuki runs 15th on the road.  Steve Fleck, was to be No.1 seed on the National Rally, he starts in the main rally with No.78 on his Impreza WRC, running in the top 20 starters. Gareth Jones at 3 is another to be moved up the start list, as is Jonnie Wigmore, 36 in his Puma. Non starters include Colm Murphy (40). Robert Gough (43). Nathan O'Connor (50). Mike Altendorf (51).  More news after stage 2. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON   www.rallynews.net