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| Lakeland Stages |
| RALLY NEWS No.1 - Pre Start - Saturday @ 10:13:10 |
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RALLY NEWS NO.1 Service/Enniskillen/Saturday
Today`s Samdec Security Services backed Lakeland Stages Rally marks the 50th anniversary year for the organising Enniskillen Motor Club. Naturally over the years there have been many changes, but some things remain the same – particularly the beautiful Fermanagh countryside and also the local enthusiasm for rallying. The special stages today through the forests evoke magic memories of past rallies – Big Dog, Ballintempo, Carrigan, Belmore – all offer a special flavour and challenge.
Alan Smyth/Andy Hayes in their Citroen C2 have the honour of leading away the 80 competing crews, as the small capacity cars will run first on the road today. Donegal man Donagh Kelly, with Niall McShea`s former co-driver Mark Cassidy on the pace notes in their McGeehan Mini WRC, will be the first of the four-wheel drive cars away this morning. This section will start approximately 30 minutes after the ‘small’ cars lead off from the Grosvenor Barracks service area. Alan Smyth will start at 10am.
Former NI and Tarmac Rally Champion Kenny McKinstry is a late entry. He will have the number 58 and slot his Impreza WRC in behind Donagh Kelly. Noel Orr will co-drive for Kenny. Carrying the number 64 on his Impreza WRC, James Gillen/Pierce Doheny have been slotted into 3rd position in the big car category.
The rally is round 5 of the McGrady Insurance NI Rally Championship. McKinstry has decided not to contest the series this year, so even with the current top two in the Championship, Derek McGarrity and Alan Carmichael missing, it will be left to Alastair Cochrane, 3rd overall in the standings, to make a Championship move today. Alister is seeded at 17 today and has Paddy McCrudden co-driving.
Running behind James Gillen is Desi Henry/Liam Moynihan in their Lancer. Then it is Pat O`Connell/Derek Gibbs all the way from Co. Tipperary in another Lancer. Martin Cairns/Kevin Flanagan are next up in Martin`s Impreza S14 with Josh Moffett and Sam Moffett in their respective Lancers at 5 and 6 in the big car category. Another late entry is Vivian & Paul Hamill in their Escort. They are No.62 but will start just behind the similar Fords of Frank Kelly & Adrian Hetherington.
Weather conditions here today in Co. Fermanagh are very good, blue skies and rising temperatures. The occasional shower is forecast for later today. As he readied for the off Donagh Kelly commented. `I am really looking forward to this. OK I have got a new co-driver and a new car. I will have to get acclimatised to right hand drive. But the Mini feels very good, really nice. It is 3 years since I have been in the forests and I think I was 2nd here to Kenny McKinstry. We will give it a go today and see what happens`.
More news later: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON & MICHAEL www.rallynews.net *Follow RallyNews on Twitter & Facebook @Pacenotes or @Real_RallyNews
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