Rallynews No.1                     Sunday 10am Hillgrove Hotel

Once again the Hillgrove Hotel plays host to the annual Monaghan Stages Rally and the start ramp will see a full entry of 131 cars pass over its bows this morning.  Despite being a dropped round of the Dunlop National Championship, this Monaghan rally continues to prove its popularity with a capacity entry of class and quality.   The rally is the second round of the highly competitive Quinn Border Championship and as a class based series many drivers will be chasing valuable points today.

Heading the field away is local businessman  Niall Maguire in his Subaru Impreza WRC.  There is not a lot you can say about Niall’s record on his home event, a winner here on no less than five occasions, the reigning Dunlop National Champion should be the pace setter, but in saying so he has some tough opposition.  Adrian McElvaney is right behind Niall at number 2 in his recently acquired Impreza WRC and the local truck man may take a couple of stages to settle in to his new machine but cannot be discounted today.  David Armstrong is coming to terms with his Impreza WRC and the Armagh driver has shown a deft turn of speed on national events in the past and today is a perfect opportunity to prove his worth.  Sean Devine is another driver learning his new car, but with the Circuit of Ireland behind him Sean could spring a surprise over today’s tough stages.  Hugh Marin Doherty is returning to active competition, so today could be a bit of a learning curve but Kevin Barrett at number 6 is almost surely the dark horse today.  An impressive turn of speed on recent events has proved that the Triton boss has got to grips with his latest Impreza and while he may struggle to match Maguire on home territory, Kevin could very well be the best of the rest today. 

Behind the leading bunch of WRCs all eyes will be drawn to the battle for 2wd honours today and what a battle this promises to be.  Reigning Pirelli Tarmac GpN champion Dessie Keenan leads the Mk2s away but boy has he got his work cut out to stay in front today.  Father Enda Keenan is up for a good race in his venerable black Escort but will face massive competition from the likes off Mac McKenna in his little rwd Peugeot 205 and Maurice Moffett in his Starlett.  Other Mk2s that will be challenging today will include Cavan’s Paddy Boyle, Glaslough man Mick McQuaid and Ballieboro’s Gordon Rogers. 

The GpN race should be just as interesting with Willie Fannin running as car 8 today, Willie’s pace should be the benchmark for other drivers including Eugene Ferry at 9 in his Lancer, John Cairns at 22 and Michael McColgan at 23, both of these drivers in similar machines.  Mark Courtney non starts at number 11 as does Brian Brogan at 21.

More News After Stage One ………  Michael Patterson & Zoë Todd