Studying
the excellent programme for this rally, it was fascinating to see
the list of previous winners. Just about anybody who has been
somebody in Irish rallying for the past 30 years has won here in
Mayo. It ably demonstrates the significance, and the popularity, of
the rally. It has been known as a tough event, often utilising some
classic mileage over the Party Mountains and along the shores of
Lough Mask, reminiscent of the old classic Circuit of Ireland
rallies. Some years of course the rally has been Ballina based.
Under the
guiding hand of Clerk of the Course Sean McHugh, the rally is back
to Partry again this year. The snowy wintry weather should make the
going really challenging, but sure isn’t that what rallying is
supposed to be about! Latest news from the stages is that the snow
has gone, there are a few small patches of black ice but these are
clearing rapidly. Current Dunlop National Champion Ray Breen heads a
massive entry in his Ford Focus WRC, Waterford man Ray saying, “It
should be interesting. I’d prefer not to have bad weather, but I’m
looking forward to it, a fresh year, fresh competition.” Ray won the
Birr rally last week, so he should be pretty match fit, and
obviously his Focus WRC is top nick.
Behind
Breen’s Focus is Charlie Donnelly in his Corolla WRC. Charlie was
pipped at the post several times last year by the all-conquering
Breen, but he’s determined to turn the tables this season, saying,
“We’re here for fun, but we’re here to win as well!” Charlie went on
to say that his Corolla WRC seemed fine, no worries. Patrick Elliott
at 3 is driving a new to him Subaru Impreza S10, the car newly
converted to RHD by Prodrive. Niall Maguire, running at 4 in his
Subaru, has won the rally twice before, and indeed is a multiple
Dunlop National Champion as well, so he’ll hardly be hanging about.
Noel Redmond at 5 is driving a P2000 Subaru WRC from the McGarrity
stable, while Glenn Allen rounds off the top six in his Corolla WRC.
Glenn is a bit new to the Dunlop National series, being better known
for his performances on forestry events, and in addition he is
nursing a staved hand, hurt when his Corolla ‘cleeked’ a wheel at
Kirkistown two weeks ago, but still the Cookstown man could well
spring a surprise here.
Just
outside that top six is Sean Devine at 7 in his Impreza WRC –
Strabane man Sean has won a couple of rallies outright recently, so
he’ll hardly be hanging around here. Tommy Graham was to be at 8,
but he damaged his rally car last weekend at Birr and is
non-starting. Noel McCarrick is at 9 in his Impreza WRC, while young
Michael Curran rounds off the top ten. Michael is the current GpN
National Champion. He sticks with GpN, but drives a new car, a
Lancer Evo 8.5 this time. Michael says he has never driven this one,
it has an extra gear compared to the old car, but it should be much
the same! Seamus Leonard was to have been at 11, but he’s
non-starting, so next up is previous GpN Champion Willie Fannin in
his Impreza.
Top names
fill the following slots, including Aaron MacHale (Corolla WRC),
Frank Wray (Lancer N), Martin Doherty (Impreza WRC), Kevin Kelleher,
all the way from Clonakilty in his Lancer N, Alan Ring (Impreza
N12).
There are
plenty more top drivers in great cars, such as Jack Sleator in his
Skoda Fabia WRC. Miullingar Opel dealer Jack has had this car
totally re-fettled over the winter, the engine and various bits have
been back to Czech Republic over the winter, he’s had a successful
test at Cooley Mountain this week.
A couple of
new young drivers include young Letterkenny girl Toni Kelly in her
Civic, with the experienced Christopher Boyce as co-driver, to
hopefully keep her on the straight and narrow. Young Alastair Fisher
is out in a hired Derrick Jobb GpN Lancer Evo6 while the engine of
his Corsa gets sorted out. Martin Brady co-drives, and they start
85th on the road although running with 138 on the car.
Some further reseeds include Graham Quinn (165) , Michael McColgan
(177), both starting in the top 30. Galway man Mike Bird (Lancer)
runs with 164 on the car and starts behind car 31. More news after
stage 1. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net
