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| Jim Clark Rally 2008 |
| RALLY NEWS No.1 - Pre Start - Wednesday @ 11:30:30 |
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RALLY NEWS NO.1 Kelso/Friday/Tea Time….
This Jim Clark International Rally brings together the leading players in two major Championships, the Tesco 99 Octane British series, and the Global Group Tarmac Championship. Whereas the British series is confined to GpN machinery, the Tarmac Championship allows World Rally Cars, so in that respect the contest for overall honours may be a bit skewed. However there are only 4 top world rally cars from the Tarmac series so we can expect the leading group N works cars from the British Championship to be right in there fighting for top positions.
The Tarmac Championship is headed this season by Eamonn Boland in his Subaru, following back to back wins on the Circuit of Ireland and Killarney Rally of the Lakes, while the British Championship is led by Guy Wilks following his win on the opening round, the Pirelli Rally. Former British Champion Mark Higgins is primarily now contesting the British series, but having won the opening Tarmac counter, in Galway, Mark still has one eye on the possibility of further Tarmac encounters. Having competed on the Pirelli Rally in the Super 2000 MG, Mark switches to a GpN Subaru for this one. It will be interesting to see how he gets on against the hard charging Guy Wilks in the ‘works’ GpN Mitsubishi Lancer, as well as Phillip Morrow in the sister Evo, let alone the top Tarmac guys in their WRC cars. Still, Mark is a previous winner here and can never be discounted. But then there are so many really good drivers in GpN cars on this Jim Clark, anything is possible!
Gareth MacHale is the No.1 seed, the Dubliner’s Focus WRC repaired following an accident on the Killarney Rally of the Lakes. Gareth has Brian Murphy co-driving this time. Eamonn Boland is at 2, his Buckley Motorsport prepared Subaru the model of consistency this season, as has been Wexford man Eamonn. Tim McNulty is at 3, Tim, like Gareth MacHale hoping to get back on course following an accident in Killarney. Derek McGarrity, another previous winner here, was to be at 5 but is non-starting. At 6 is Aaron MacHale in his older model Focus, National Champion Aaron quietly notching up the points this season.
As well as Derek McGarrity non-starting, further names missing from the top 10 line up include Steve Petch who was to be at 7. Colm Murphy made a late attempt to do the rally but the current GpN Tarmac Champion couldn’t get his car ready in time which will leave the No.9 slot vacant.
Michael McCollum from Letterkenny is seeded at 8 in his Impreza WRC. However, fine driver that he is, Michael has little experience at this level and may start further down the order. Kevin Kelleher, on the other hand, may be seeded a little too far back and may move up on the start list.
This means that Guy Wilks, carrying No.10 on his Lancer, will almost certainly start fifth on the road, just ahead of David Higgins in his Subaru. Phillip Morrow is at No.12, the young Ulsterman still learning his new “works” Mitsubishi. Phillip will once again be trying to get on Guy Wilks’ pace. Mark Higgins is at 14. He is driving a left hand drive Impreza N11, a slightly older car but still capable of a top result. Stuart Jones rounds off the top 15 in his MG S2000 Sport. Robert Swann at No.20 debuts the new Subaru Impreza N14 on the British Championship.
Further non starters include: Stefan Davies (35) has suffered an engine blow up in testing with his Puma. Tom Gormally at 49 and Gerard Sharkey at 50 are also non-starters.
As well as all the various classes in the rally the event is also a round of the Citroen C2R2 Cup and Marty McCormack, following an engine blow up on the Sperrins Rally last weekend, has made it here to Kelso and is the No.1 seed. Jason Pritchard has managed to make the start also having suffered an ankle injury in a road accident some weeks ago. Current UK C2R2 Champion Martin Laverty starts at No.45, his gearbox now sorted following a problem which prevented him starting the Sperrins Rally. There are 7 C2R2s due to start and 7 Suzuki Swifts in the Suzuki Swift Sport Cup headed by Melrose’s Gordon Nichol.
More news later: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net
*For SMS results text RALLY ITC to 60066 (UK): Or 53030 (Irl.): Text RALLY ITC OFF to stop. Cost 25p/30c. Provided by stagetimes.com
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