hTML> August archive news

Dick Bailey Stages Rally

Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September 2002 The stage is now set for the Wexford Stages Rally 2002. It has undergone a name change this year and from now on it will be known as the "Dick Bailey Stages Rally". Dick was a big part of the Wexford rally since it's first run, and as he is the only club member to lose his life as a result of the sport he so much loved, it was only fitting that it should be renamed in his honour. Motorsport events have a history of being named after people that have given a lot to the sport such as Gordon Bennett and Jim Clark to name two. Dick will now join those esteemed ranks.
Rally headquarters is the Crosbie Cedars Hotel Rosslare who are sponsoring the rally for the third year. The stages themselves are all in the south of the county. Saturday will feature eight stages in two loops of four. These will be in Ballycullane, Dunmain, Aughlare and Oakland. After the second service halt, at the end of the first day, the cars and crews will head back to Parc Ferme in Rosslare.
The second days racing will see the cars head into the last eight stages, a loop of four stages repeated, in Mayglass, Knocktown, Ballymitty and Forth Mountain. Some of both days' stages will be new to the Wexford event. As always the club has picked some testing, but fair, stages for the maximum field of 150 cars.
Following the non running of last years event, and also the non participation of non Irish crews in any of last years rally, Wexford motor Club will gladly welcome back old friends this year. UK drivers such as John Price, Bob Fowden and Pete Doughty have entertained the knowledgeable Wexford crowds over the years and this year will be no exception.
As with all closed road events there is a great participation from the residents farming community and businesses affected by the road closures. The motor clubs is deeply indebted to these people and thanks them for their help in running this event.

Provisional Top 20:
1 EAMONN BOLAND / DAMIEN MORRISEY WEXFORD SUBARU WRC
2 JOHN PRICE / CAROLINE PRICE HEREFORD METRO
3 PETE DOUGHTY / TIM STURLA NOTTINGHAM ESCORT WRC
4 STEVE HENDY / MARK MILTON DORSET COSWORTH
5 TOM HOLTON / ANDREW CULLEN MEATH CELIC
6 BOB FOWDEN / JERRY HYNES WALES EVO
7 AARON MAC HALE / DAMIEN CONNOLLY DUBLIN LANCER EVO 5
8 TIM BALL / ROB WATSON ENGLAND DARRIAN T90
9 KIERAN MOLLOY / BRIAN BOLAND TIPPERARY LANCER EVO 6
10 WILLIAM CARROLL / JASON MERNAGH WEXFORD COSWORTH
11 TIM WILSON / LAURIE WALKER LONDON IMPREZA WRC
12 DAVE PRICE / CRAIG PARRY WALES LANCER EVO
14 DAVID JAMES JIM CROWE WEXFORD ESCORT BDX
15 DEREK SMITH / TBA WICKLOW ESCORT
16 GERAINT JAMES / GEOFF FORSTER NEWCASTLE DARRIAN T9
17 JIMMY LAMBERT / JAMES COLEMAN TIPPERARY ESCORT
18 DEAN WILLIAMS / JAMES ROBERTSON GWENT EVO 5
19 MARTIN O'CONNELL / SEAN MULLALLY CLAREvESCORT COSWORTH
20 SHAY POWER / MARTIN CROKE CARRICK ON SUIR ESCORT
21 FRANCIS CORRIGAN / NIALL DRIVER KILDARE EVO VI

Full entry list now on line at Wexford Rally Site

Galligan and Noble on Home Ground

Pirelli British Rally Championship, Round 6, The Ulster Rally 6th-7th '02 The official Peugeot Super 1600 British Rally championship team enter the sixth round of the Pirelli British Rally Championship next week as the Championship circus heads to the Irish provinces for some tarmac adventure.
With over 100 competitive stage miles on some of Ireland's tightest, twisty, narrow, bumpy tarmac roads. This event is not for the faint hearted. Starting in Donegal Place, in the centre of Belfast at 14:30 on Friday. The rally then moves to Tardee for 9 miles of fun! The rally moves across as far as Strabane in Tyrone and north of the island to Glenaan river. Finishing back in Belfast at 16:00 on Saturday.
Peugeot Works Driver and Super 106 Cup 2001 winner, Rory Galligan has lived in Ireland all his life in Old Castle, County Meath. Galligan will be third off the S1600 line at the Ulster rally. Galligan commented, "It's going to be a hard rally I just hope I can make more of it than I have on the last two tarmac rallies. I did the Ulster in 1999 and led all the way until we broke down half a mile from the end of the last stage! It will be good to see Martin Row and Gwndaf Evans out. The Ulster is the nearest rally to home for me so I will be really feeling the pressure, as I have more support on this rally from family and friends!
Gordon Noble, co-driver for works driver Galligan was also born on the Island in the North and today loves in Omagh. He commented; "I am quite positive and relaxed about the approach to this event. Although I am local to the event I don't have any real advantage in knowing the roads. I looked in my archive recently and the last time I rallied a particular stretch of road for the Ulster rally was in 1988! However, we are looking to improve our championship position with only two rounds to go."
Noble and Galligan's team-mate, works driver Justin Dale from Chilbolton, Hants has much experience at the Ulster rally. He commented, "The Ulster Rally has been good to me in the past and I hope my previous experience will stand me in good stead in 2002. I love the stages and the 206 is a little more stable on the bumps than last year's car. In the Championship we can win the Super 1600 category by finishing fourth or better in Ulster but overall it's still too close to call and we have to push for points"
With the end of the British Rally Championship fast approaching, Mick Linford, Peugeot UK's Motorsport Manager commented, "With only two rounds left, (one a drivers scoring round only) it is an exciting time for us. Justin Dale has closed the gap on current overall leading driver, Jonny Milner and leads the Super 1600's. Rory we anticipate will be good in Ireland. Not only is he on home territory, which often helps, he has proved to be very quick on tarmac this year."
Fans of the team can determine which Peugeot 206 is which by the flags on the front sunstrips. Galligan carries the Irish flag and Dale the Union Jack. The Peugeot Total team are currently leading the manufacturers' title by 56 points to nearest rival MG X Power. Dale leads the Super 1600 category with 33 points, a 17-point lead over Ford's Guy Wilks. Dale is also 2nd overall in the British Rally Drivers Championship. Galligan currently lies 6th

Courtesy of ClareBarton

"Round Six: Seconds Count"

The 2002 Stena Line Ulster Rally welcomes the UK's premier one make Rally Series with the Irish contingent very much in control. Donegal based Shaun Gallagher leads Garry Jennings from Fermanagh by just 14 points after five of the eight Peugeot 206 Super Cup qualifying rounds. The fast and furious 206s have been locked in a ding-dong battle all season with Gallagher the third different Championship leader. Improving all season he must take his maiden victory soon, having missed the top spot on the last two rounds by a mere five seconds on both events. In fact nearly every event this season has less than ten seconds separating the top two, even after 150 miles of competitive stages. Every second counts!
Jennings is well placed however. With two wins and a second place, his roll and subsequent thirteenth place on the Quinton Rally still leave him 6.5 points clear of Marko Ramanen . The Finn won the Scottish Rally in June but blotted his copy book by crashing out on the asphalt of the Jim Clark Rally. Only half a point further back after the Quinton is previous Championship leader Mike Faulkner who rebuilt his car in two weeks after a massive shunt on the same event as Ramanen. An event win also eludes the amiable Scot who has been a stalwart of the Peugeot one make series over the last few years. Fifth in the 206 Super Cup standings is Geordie Chris Moore who has had a mixed season winning the Rally of Wales and Quinton but retiring on the first half of the Gateshead Rally, Scottish and Jim Clark. Moore is definitely fired up and pronounces himself ready to give the Irish lads a run for their money. The second half of the top 10 is led by the Dunbabin twins who have a pair of fourth places to their credit followed by another of the Irish drivers, Gareth MacHale. Dubliner Gareth showed well on the asphalt of the Jim Clark and is one to watch in Ulster as he prefers this surface to gravel. Eighth, and the only driver other than Gallagher to have scored on all the rounds of 206 Super Cup, is Andy Pawley. He shares the same points as MacHale but is squeezed out of seventh by the tie break rule.
The top ten is rounded out by Scot Jack Ingleby and Midlander Richard Sykes both of whom have set excellent times on individual stages and should do well if a little of the Irish luck comes their way.
The Junior Championship top places exactly mirror the main points table with Jack Ingleby third, MacHale fourth and newcomer David Wright rounding off the top five. Rookie Championship leader Mike Bird from Galway is expected to take part to maintain his healthy lead over Matt Jessup and fellow Irishman Graham McClintock. Bird also leads the Hella most improved category.

Ulster Rally Preview

The weekend of the 6th-7th September sees the running of the 2002 Stena Line Ulster Rally when the clash of the titans of both the Toshiba Tarmac Championship and the Pirelli British Rally Championship are joined by the Peugeot 206 Cup , Ford Ireland Focus Championship , Ford Ka (BRC) and Volkswagon Polo Championship.
Rally Headquarters is based at the Europa Hotel in Belfast with scrutiny at Lindsay Ford dealers on Mallusk Rd on Thursday 5th from 5-9 pm
First car is away from Donegal Place at 2,30pm on Friday before tackling 3 stages used twice in mid Antrim before returning to Belfast at approx 11.00pm
The rally then restarts at 5.00am on Saturday with stages in Co Tyrone and Derry before finishing at 4.00pm.

Top Entries:
1 Justin Dale / Andrew Bargery Peugeot 206XSi S16
2 Guy Wilks / Roger Herron Ford Puma S16
3 Rory Galligan / Gordon Noble Peugeot 206XSi S16
4 Kris Meeke / Glenn Patterson Ford Puma S16
5 Martin Sanson / Ieuan Thomas Peugeot 106 Maxi K16
6 Simon Hughes / Phil Pugh Renault Clio S16
7 James Thompson / Plug Pulleyn Peugeot 106 Kit K16
8 David Henderson / Scott Poxon Ford Puma S16
10 Austin MacHale / Brian Murphy Toyota Corolla WRC A8
11 Andrew Nesbitt / James O'Brien Subaru Impreza WRC A8
12 Jonny Milner / Nicky Beech Toyota Corolla WRC A8
14 Derek McGarrity / Dermot O'Gorman Subaru Impreza WRC 2001 A8
15 Gwyndaf Evans / Chris Patterson MG ZR S16
16 Peadar Hurson / Ian Porter Toyota Celica 205 A8
17 Eamonn Boland / Francis Reagan Subaru WRC S7 A8
18 Robert Woodside / Dean Beckett Subaru Impreza WRC A8
19 Martin Rowe / Chris Wood Ford Puma S16
20 Daniel Doherty / Michael Doherty Subaru Impreza WRC A8

Donegal Crews Report at Aghadowey

Monday 26th August saw what must be the youngest DMC crew compete in Aghadowey. The Letterkenny pairing of Conor Harvey (son of Noel) and Mark Hunter with a combined age of only 33 managed to complete the 6 stages and finish fifty third overall and seventh in class 1 for group N cars up to 2 litre. The event went off without major incident for the young crew who had the use of Ciaran Gallaghers Honda Civic for the day, no doubt this will be the first of many events for Conor who has a long way to go before he equals his fathers record of competing in 30 Donegal International`s.
Top Donegal finished in the event was Damien Gallagher and Ivan Brown in a mark two escort finishing just ahead of Ivan Stewart and Oliver Doherty in their Escort Cosworth. By classes Letterkenny Ford Dealer Andrew Hegarty navigated by Kevin Kelly were convincing winners in their Ford Puma finishing almost 30 seconds ahead of their nearest rival. Class 5 was won by Robbie Peoples and Timothy Duggan by 33 seconds from Paul Reid and Martin Gallagher, Cathal Wilson and David McCann were a further 13 second back in third with Matthew McCauley and Liam Doherty in fourth and fifth place respectively. Damien Gallagher and Ivan Brown won class 7 with Paul Garry and Jonathan McKenna in third. Thomas Keys and Noel Harvey were 4th.
The event saw the return to the driving seat of Seamus Gallagher who thanks to Noel McBride for the car for the day and Maiden City Motor Club for the opportunity ran as one of the sweepers for the day.

The Windscreen Company sponsor Cork Forestry

8th September A capacity entry has been received for The Windscreen Company Cork Forest Rally on September 8th. Last year's winner Dominic McNeill (Escort World Rally Car) and current leader of the KBB Doors National Forest Championship Eugene Donnelly/Paul Nagle (Celica) were among the first entries to arrive for the rally. Other top entries include Dermot Kelly, Kevin O'Kane, John Donnelly, John McCarthy & Eddie Kinirons.
Cork Motor Club are also delighted to welcome on board THE WINDSCREEN COMPANY as title sponsors for the 2002 rally. The Windscreen Company are windscreen replacement specialists who operate a nationwide mobile service, from two base depots, which are situated in Kerry and County Cork. This enables clients to avail of either a drive in service or a free mobile service anywhere in the country.
The year's rally will consist of 4 stages run 2 times each in the forests near Kilavullen & Banteer.
The headquarters for the 2002 event will be at the Duhallow Lodge on the main Mallow-Killarney road. It is from here that the rally will start and finish. The first car will go over the start ramp at 9:00am on the Sunday Morning, with the winner expected back by 5:00pm.

Galway Summer Stages Rally

Sponsored by Cunningham & Higgins Prestige Cars Galway the event will be based in the Shannon Oaks Hotel in Portumna on Sunday the 1st September
The event which will use the usual 3 stages 3 times format is a qualifying round of the Top Part West Coast Rally Championship and the Co. Galway Motor Club Members Championship
Start time is listed as 9.00am with service between stages in Portumna Mart.

Top Twenthy:
1 Michael Barrable/Dermot O' Gorman Subaru Impreza WRC (8) 2 Paul Harris/Eugene O' Donnell Subaru Impreza STi (8)
3 JJ Fleming/Robbie Ward Subaru Impreza WRC (8)
4 Patrick Elliott/Martin Cahill Subaru Impreza 555 (8)
5 George Cullen/TBA Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD (8)
6 John Spain/Peter Egan Opel Manta 400 (14)
7 Anthony O' Halloran/Kevin Synott Opel Manta 2.0 (13)
8 Philip Shaw/Derek Brannigan Ford Escort 2.0 (13)
9 Sean Keenan/Michael O' Riordan Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD (8)
10 George Tracey/Elva Roe Subaru Impreza STi (4)
11 Dominic Loughran/Lisa Mangan Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6 (4)
12 James Foley/Fulton Grant Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6 (4)
14 Wesley Patterson/Bob Kelly Ford Escort R.S. (12)
15 Ivan Stewart/Gerard Callaghan Escort RS Cosworth (15)
16 Stephen Bird/Dominick Downey Ford Escort 2.0 (12)
17 David Percy/Owen Percy Escort RS 2000 Kit CAR (7)
18 John O' Sullivan/Darren Hayes Peugeot 205 (13)
19 Tommy McDonald/Michael Moran Ford Escort (14)
20 Aidan Walsh/Frank Sweeney Ford Escort (12)
21 Gary Cairns/Gary Montieth Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 5 (4)

Eugene takes victory

Eugene Donnelly won the Mountain View Restaurant Banagher Time Trial run by the Magherafelt Motor Club by just 0.16 seconds after posting a last minute entry in his Celica ST185.
Brother Charlie in the older Celica ST165 set fastest time on the 1st timed run but was unable to hold off Eugene on the second run.
Final Results.
1 Eugene Donnelly Toyota Celica ST185
2 Charlie Donnelly Toyota Celica ST165
3 Glenn Allen Ford Escort WRC
4 Kieran Shaw Ford Escort WRC
5 Paul Barrett Ford Escort

"Mc Shea unlucky in Deutschland."

Spanish driver Daniel Sola has won the latest round of the FIA Junior World Rally Championship, the Rallye Deutschland. After three varied days of competition on a mixture of narrow vineyard roads and concrete tracks normally used to train tank drivers, Sola and his navigator Alex Romani brought their Citroen Saxo to this afternoon's finish in Trier almost 40 seconds clear of the next 1600cc car and almost three minutes ahead of the next Junior WRC-registered contender, Andrea Dallavilla. Dallavilla set the initial pace on Friday's stages, which were held on narrow vineyard roads in the Mosel region. The Italian's Citroen Saxo moved into the lead during the first two stages but in the third, he hit problems. He had to stop and change a wheel, and the resulting time loss all but destroyed his chances of victory, leaving him to charge up the leaderboard in search of valuable Junior WRC points.
Dallavilla's problems handed the advantage to Ulsterman Niall McShea and the Opel Corsa driver maintained that advantage until the end of the day. He arrived back in Trier on Friday evening with a narrow 10-second lead over local Citroen Saxo driver Sven Haaf, with Ford Puma driver Francois Duval in third after he'd been slowed by a misfire. McShea's lead was short-lived, however, for he received a 20-second road penalty after he'd had to fix an alternator problem on a road section.
Saturday took crews to the daunting, bumpy and dirty concrete roads of the Baumholder military ranges and in changeable conditions, the leaderboard was turned on its head. Haaf was first to falter when the engine on his Saxo expired in the day's second stage. By then, Duval was already in front. He'd picked the right tyre choice and vaulted past both Haaf and McShea in the opening test. McShea's challenge lasted only two stages further than Haaf's, for the Irishman rolled the Corsa heavily and retired in SS14.Both Niall and Co-driver Michael Orr had to be cut out of the car and were brought to hospital for a check up.

S1600 FINAL POSITIONS IN TRIER (AFTER SS23)
1 Sola (E) Citroen 4h 10m 39.6
2 Dallavilla (I) Citroen +2m 47.4
3 Schelle (D) Suzuki +3m 33.2

Hyundai WRC for Ireland

The first appearance of a Hyundai Accent WRC on an Irish National rally has been confirmed as the Clare Stages which will based in the West County Hotel in Ennis on 22nd September.
The car which will be driven by Ollie O Donovan is similar to that of Steve Petch (shown here at The Manx) and will carry full support of the Hyundai WRC team Motorsport Developement (MSD).
MSD have been anxious to promote the Accent WRC here in Ireland and England, and recently took their first outright win with Jonny Milner at the wheel , and Clare Stages is reported to be the first of 2 outings for the team , Cork 20 being the second.
Ollie O Donovan who competed in a Subaru Legacy has only recently changed to an Impreza and is sponsored by Korean Tyre Manufacturer Kumho and Ears Motorsport

Ulster Rally Update

STENA ULSTER RALLY 02
The Ulster Rally is two days of tough and demanding competition over twisting tarmac roads in Northern Ireland. It's status as an International Rally ensures that a top class field of international teams will be competing against each other.

ENTRY
The field of entries is 'top-notch' guaranteeing the spectator the ultimate rally experience. The entry includes championship leaders
The PBRC
Milner, Dale, Wilks & Meeke
The Tarmac Boys-
Nesbitt, Boland, McGarrity, Cathers
Ford Puma
Champion, Forgan
Ford Ka
Woffinden, Wiggy
Castrol Polo
Robinson, Wheeler
206 Super Cup
Gallager, Jennings, Ramanen

RALLY RUN DOWN
Travelling 130 special stage miles, the Ulster Rally will cover a total of 490 miles road miles, testing both drivers and their cars to the limit and bringing international rally action within easy reach of rally spectators
Leg 1 - Friday 6th September
Competitors will meet in Donegal Square, Belfast at 12.30 to give fans an opportunity to view their cars. At 2pm the rally will then begin to travel the length and breadth of Antrim, covering 6 exciting special stages set against such normally tranquil backdrops as The Glens of Antrim and the spectacular Antrim Coast. The leg one finish will be in Belfast at 23:00
Leg 2 – Saturday 7th September
Restarting at 06:00am The remaining competitors will complete 9 stages in Co Tyrone and Londonderry, with servicing in the Draperstown and Gortin area. Finishing at 16:00 in Belfast, the prize giving is scheduled for 22:00 in the Europa Hotel.

For full rally schedule, spectator maps, spectator areas and safety information, please see the Stena Ulster Rally Programme and Maps. It is available at all newsagents or from rally HQ. The essential comprehensive guide for the spectator, is excellent value at only £5.

Steve Farrell joins Subaru WRC

The 555 Subaru World Rally Team announced today that Steve Farrell has been appointed as Chief Engineer.
In this new role Steve will manage the 555 SWRT engineering department as well as lead the design and development programmes. Steve, who was previously Chief Engineer for the British American Racing Formula One team, will start at the Banbury-based Subaru team on September 2nd.
In a motorsport career that spans almost 20 years, Steve has worked in many different forms of racing with some of the most respected names in the business. After moving to the UK from his native Australia in 1983, he ran his own Formula Ford team but soon progressed to the World Sports Car Championship and among many achievements, was responsible for the Silk Cut Jaguar team's famous 2-3-4 performance at Le Mans in 1991.
In 1993 he switched disciplines to touring cars, working with Ray Mallock Ltd and, from 1993 to 1995, with Prodrive and the Alfa Romeo British Touring Car programme. In 1997 he was back at Le Mans, this time with the Nissan R390 GT1 car. His most recent move came in 1998 when he joined BAR as Chief Engineer with responsibility for the technical operations of the race and test team.
"I'm very excited to be returning to Prodrive & the 555 SWRT," said Steve. "World Championship Rallying has all the right ingredients for me, both technical & personal. Like Formula One, it is becoming increasingly competitive year on year, and the challenges involved to stay in front of the opposition are great. I am familiar with many of the team from my previous time at Prodrive, which makes my move all the more pleasurable."
Commenting on Steve's appointment, 555 Subaru Team Principal David Lapworth said: "We're very happy that Steve is making a return to Prodrive. The position of Chief Engineer is a critical one for us, and we've put a lot of effort into finding the right person for the job. Steve's got a wealth of experience in all types of motorsport and the necessary blend of technical credibility and man management skills to build on the strengths of our existing team."

Deutschland Rally Preview

Just ten days after returning home from Rally Finland, drivers will embark on the tenth round of the 2002 World Rally Championship next Thursday when they cross the start ramp to begin Rally Deutschland.
Rally Deutschland is a compact and challenging tarmac event based in the countryside around the ancient Roman City of Trier. Although it has been running since 1982, this year will be the first time it has been included in the WRC calendar.
The rally presents competitors with a variety of stage conditions, both from the point of view of the scenery, as well as the road surface. Crews will start on Friday by tackling sections right in the heart of the Mosel vineyard region. The stages feature plenty of tight corners and straight high-speed runs. For Saturday the action moves to the broken tarmac surface of the private military area at Baumholder, while Sunday's leg includes two passes through a five kilometre super special stage on a smooth track at St Wendel.
The event covers 415 competitive kilometres over 23 special stages. There will be two separate service parks: For leg one teams will be based at the Trier Messepark before moving to an area at Bostalsee for legs two and three. Rally HQ will be based at the Ramada hotel in Trier for the entire event.

Top Entries
N°1 Richard Burns Peugeot 206 WRC
N°2 Marcus Grönholm Peugeot 206 WRC
N°3 Harri Rovanpera Peugeot 206 WRC
N°4 Carlos Sainz Ford Focus WRC
N°5 Colin McRae Ford Focus WRC
N°6 Markko Martin Ford Focus WRC
N°7 François Delecour Mitsubishi Lancer Ev WRC
N° 8 Alister McRae Mitsubishi Lancer Ev WRC
N° 10 Tommi Makinen Subaru Imprezza WRC

ALSO NEW SKODA OCTAVIA WRC READY FOR ASPHALT DEBUT Skoda's brand new evolution Octavia World Rally Car is all set for its asphalt debut on the Rallye Deutschland next week.
The car showed its potential on gravel in Finland last week, demonstrating it had the pace to finish in the top 10. Unfortunately, a fuel problem sidelined Kenneth Eriksson while Toni Gardemeister was hindered by road penalties - but both are hoping for better things in Germany. The regular team of Eriksson and Gardemeister will be strengthened by the addition of reigning German champion Matthias Kahle in a third car. The 33-year-old German drives a Skoda Octavia WRC in his national championship and finished fifth on the Rallye Deutschland last year.

Donegal Hillclimb set for September

Donegal Motor Club has just announced brief details of it's Inishowen based National Championship Hillclimb at Glentogher, a few miles from Carndonagh, in Inishowen. Clerk of the Course for the event, Declan Mc Cay announced details for the week-end of 7th & 8th of September.
The week-end of speed, will host rounds of the MotorSport Ireland, Hillclimb Championship, the Frank Keane Trophy, and this will also qualify as rounds of the Oil Burner Trading Donegal Motor Club Championship.
The number of entries for the event are expected to be in high demand from all across the country, and regulations are now available from: Joan Reid, Illistrin, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, closing on Friday 30th August 2002. Internet users can log on to www.donegalmotorclub.com for information relating to the event. The event will consist of a 'double header format', with two separate hillclimbs taking place, one on Saturday 7th and repeated again on Sunday 8th of September. Roads will be closing for the competition each day @ 9.00 a.m. with the first practice runs starting at 10.30 a.m.

Panizzi to miss Rally Deutschland

Given that he has not yet sufficiently recovered from the accident in which he sustained torn ligaments and a fractured right shoulder, Gilles Panizzi, after consultation with his surgeon, has decided not to take part in the forthcoming Deutschland Rally (August 22nd-25th 2002). "It was tough decision to come to," he admits. "The reduction of the fracture passed off perfectly but the torn ligaments need much longer to heal. A period of 5 or 6 weeks is usual. It was therefore a bit tight for next week's Deutschland Rally, but I will be ready in time for the Sanremo Rally at the end of September." Peugeot Sport is obviously disappointed not to be able to count on the services of its 'asphalt ace' in Germany but perfectly understands Gilles'wise decision.
The whole team wishes him a speedy recovery.
It is therefore Harri Rovanperä who will join Marcus Grönholm and Richard Burns to drive the third Evolution 3 206 WRC in the Deutschland Rally.

Evolution 3 206 WRC
Peugeot's one-two performance on the recent Rally Finland, its fifth maximum points haul of the season, strengthened its lead in the provisional Manufacturers' World Championship standings after nine rounds and has taken Marcus Grönholm further clear at the top of the Drivers' points table. With five events of the 2002 campaign still to go, anything can still happen between now and the end of the year, although the French squad will be looking to keep up the momentum as the series switches to two consecutive rounds on asphalt, a surface on which the Peugeot 206 has traditionally shone. The first of these encounters takes the championship to Germany where the team has entered three Evolution 3 206s for Richard Burns, Marcus Grönholm and Harri Rovanperä, the latter standing in for the convalescing Gilles Panizzi
. Panizzi, an acclaimed asphalt ace, has already won twice on asphalt this year (Spain and Corsica) and would once again have been a valuable asset on the Deutschland Rally. However, in accord with his team and doctors, he has opted to give Germany a miss in order not to compromise his recovery and to ensure he is fully fit for the next round, the Sanremo Rally. "It was a tough decision to come to," he admits. "The reduction of the fracture passed off perfectly but the torn ligaments need much longer to heal. A period of 5 or 6 weeks is usual. It was therefore a bit tight for next week's Deutschland Rally, but I will be ready in time for the Sanremo Rally at the end of September."
Although the championship is still a long way from being sown up and although the absence of Gilles in Germany comes as a big blow, Peugeot can be justifiably proud of its record since the start of the year. After nine of the calendar's fourteen rounds, the French team has secured no fewer than five one-two finishes (Sweden, Corsica, Spain, Cyprus and Finland) and has come away with points from every outing, with the exception of Argentina where its cars were disqualified after the finish. Its consistency on gravel, asphalt and snow has harvested a total of 99 Manufacturers' championship points and taken it into a 25-point lead over its closest chaser. Last year after the Finnish round, its total was just 39 points!
The situation looks just as encouraging in the Drivers' championship in which Marcus Grönholm, following his third victory of the year in Finland, has a score of 47 points and enjoys a 17-point cushion over his most pressing rival, Colin McRae. In 2001, Richard Burns took the crown with 44 points.
Even so, given that a one-two result means a successful team can collect 16 points from a single outing, success for Peugeot at the end of the year is by no means a foregone conclusion, and Marcus Grönholm is perfectly aware of the ground that has still to be covered. "My lead means I can go to Germany and Sanremo without too much pressure. But there are still five rallies to come and a total of 50 points up for grabs. Anything can still happen," he warns.
Marcus, who is becoming increasingly accustomed to asphalt, has the advantage of having already competed in Germany after taking part in last year's non-championship Deutschland Rally. The Finn posted some excellent stage times before eventually finishing 4th overall after being delayed by a puncture and an off.
Richard Burns is another driver with all-round ability, as he demonstrated once again with an excellent performance in the recent Rally Finland, while Harri Rovanperä also enjoyed a strong run on his home event before retiring.
Surprisingly, Germany has never previously hosted a round of the World Rally Championship. You have to go back to 1973, the year in which the series was created, to find the trace of an event in neighbouring Austria, the Austrian Alps Rally. Based on the former Hunsruck Rally, the Deutschland Rally runs out of Germany's oldest town, Trier, which is situated on the banks of the Moselle in a highly reputed wine producing region, close to both France and Luxembourg.

Dunlop National Update

Results After Round 8 - Tipperary Stonetrowers Rally - 11 August 2002
OVERALL POSITIONS
Posn Driver Points Posn Navigator Points
1 Niall Maguire 156 1 Paul McLaughlin 138
2 Patrick Elliot 102 2 Sean Moriarty 102
3 David Armstrong 88 3 Herbie Blackburn 91
4 Sean Gallagher 78 4 Liam Costello 63
5 Michael Barrable 58 5 John Loughran 59
6 Aaron Mac Hale 58 6 Dermot O'Gorman 58
7 Mac McKenna 52 7 Paul McCann 51
8 James McCann 50 8 Damien Connolly 49
9 Joe Mac Hugh 39 9 Harvey Bell 36
10 Jim Harrison 36 10 Noel Hall 35

Wexford Stages Rally

This years event which has been renamed the Dick Bailey Stages Rally in memory of the Wexford driver who died this year will take place on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September.
The rally is again based in the Crosbie Cedars Hotel in Rosslare will run a loop of four stages each run twice each day
This year's event will be a counting round of the 2002 BTRDA National Tarmacadam Rally Championship, Triton Showers South East Stages Championship, Wexford Motor Club Championship, and the 2002 First Choice Mobiles Welsh Tarmacadam Championship

Entries close on Wednesday 25th August and entry forms and regulations can be downloaded from wexfordrally.tripod.com

"STANLEY ON A KNIFE-EDGE."

Clonmel, 11th August 2002:
Oliver Stanley from Durrow, Co. Laois has won the opening round of Irelands Premier One Make Rally Championship, the 2002 Ford Ireland Focus Rally Championship at the Stonethrowers Rally based in Clonmel.
Oliver has progressed through the ranks of the Ford Ireland "Ladder of Opportunity", having competed in the highly successful Ford Ireland KA Rally Championship for two years prior to taking part in the inaugural Ford Ireland Focus Rally Championship.
Colm Murphy (Limerick) in the Kingdom Fastfit/John Guerin Crash Repairs/Garry O'Keeffe Haulage Ford Focus set the early pace revelling in the damp slippery conditions to take an eleven second lead from Hamilton Bell (Hillsborough). Oliver Stanley in the Perry Motors Ford Focus stormed back setting fastest Focus time on stage three and four to take the lead from Murphy by four seconds. On stage five Murphy fought back to record fastest Focus time to reduce Stanley's advantage to just one second. Oliver replied on stages six and seven to increase his lead to five seconds. However stage eight was cancelled and the battle came down to the wire. On stage nine the last of the day, Murphy threw caution to the wind driving like a demon only to get caught out half was through the stage spinning on some gravel, loosing vital seconds and with it all hopes of victory. "I have driven many rally cars in my day but the Ford Focus is the best car I have ever had, it is brilliant, the handling, brakes and balance is outstanding. The experience gained in the Ford Ireland KA Rally Championship also has been a huge benefit to me and I think is showed here today. I am really looking forward to the rest of the season," said Oliver at the finish. "I am delighted with the spirited rivalry and the enthusiasm shown by the competitors. The result at the weekend, with seven cars running without a problem, and the close competition, augers well for the next round of the Ford Ireland Focus Rally Championship" said Declan Foley, Focus Brand Manager, Ford Ireland.

RESULTS ROUND 1 – STONETHROWERS RALLY POS. NAME ADDRESS TIME
1 Oliver Stanley Durrow, Co. Laois 0.00.00
2 Colm Murphy Athea, Co. Limerick 0.00.11
3 Brendan Kelly Longford 0.00.26
4 John Foley Midleton, Co. Cork 0.02.03
5 Ken Lyons Limerick 0.00.12
6 Hamilton Bell Hillsborough, Co. Down 0.02.24
7 Gabriel Martin Dublin 0.02.11
8 Cathal O'Reilly Cavan DNF

Clare Stages Rally 2002

The 9th Round of the Dunlop National Stage Rally Championship 2002 is being by Clare Motor Club on Sunday, 22nd September 2002
. The event based in the West County Hotel in Ennis under the direction of COC Dermot Kelleher is also a counting round of the Focus Ireland Challenge.
Entry forms and regulations can be downloaded from the club website www.claremotorclub.com

New Mitsubishi WRC Spec Released

MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION WRC2 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
DIMENSIONS
OVERALL LENGTH 4360mm
OVERALL WIDTH 1770mm
WHEEL BASE 2600mm
FRONT TRACK 1550mm
REAR TRACK 1550mm

ENGINE
MODEL 4G63
TYPE 4 Cylinders, 16-Valve DOHC- Intercooled Single Scroll Turbocharger with Post Combustion Control System
FUEL SYSTEM ECI Multi-injection
BORE x STROKE 85.5mm x 86.9mm
DISPLACEMENT 1996cc
MAXIMUM OUTPUT 220Kw(300ps)/5500rpm
MAXIMUM TORQUE 540Nm(55kg-m)/3500rpm
CLUTCH Carbon Triple Plates
TRANSMISSION 6 Speed INVECS type Shift
4WD SYSTEM Active Control Locking System
FRONT DIFF Active Control Locking System
REAR DIFF Active Control Locking System
SUSPENSION Front - Independent- MacPherson strut with coil spring Rear - Independent- MacPherson strut with coil spring
DAMPER Ohlins with adjustable system
STEERING Power assisted rack & pinion
BRAKE Front - Ventilated discs with 6-pot calipers Rear - Ventilated discs with 4-pot calipers
TYRE Michelin
WHEEL ENKEI

Cork Forestry Latest

After the summer break the forestry season will recommence on Sunday September 8th with the Cork Forest Rally. Organised by Cork Motor Club, this year's event will run in a new location and have a new COC for one of the most popular forestry rallies in the country.
John S Quill is Clerk of the Course for this year, while the stages will be in the Kilavullen & Banteer areas of Co. Cork. The headquarters for the Event will be at the Duhallow Lodge on the main Mallow-Killarney road, with scrutiny nearby in Banteer at Eamonn Tarrent's Skoda Garage on the Saturday evening.
After the record number of entries for last year's rally, interest in the 2002 event is expected to be just as high. Last year's winner Dominic McNeill (Escort WRC) and current leader of the KBB Doors National Forest Championship Eugene Donnelly in his ex-Nesbitt Celica will be amongst the favourites for this year's rally.
Regulations will be posted out to all last year competitors, and will be available to download on the new look Cork Motor Club website: www.corkmotorclub.com.
They can also be got by sending a stamped self-addressed envelope to Entries Secretary: Darren McCarthy, 97 Kenley Heights, Grange Heights, Douglas, Co. Cork

Toshiba Tarmac Latest

It may not have been an epic battle nor was it, for that matter, another crushing demonstration by Andrew Nesbitt, but this years Manx Rally was important nonetheless. And when, as seems increasingly likely, the Armagh man clinches his second Toshiba Tarmac title, he will look back on the Manx as being another in an impressively long list of sound decisions. On the road, the event belonged to Mark Higgins; the local man took command on the first day in his DGM Toyota Corolla WRC and never let go, eventually building up a lead of almost five minutes.
Behind him, Jonny Milner led the chase for much of the event in his similar car, but third throughout was Nesbitt's Cuisine de France Impreza, and when Milner was hit by gearbox problems towards the end, it was the Armagh man who profited. But in many ways, second to Higgins was a bonus for Nesbitt, who, as the leading registered Toshiba Tarmac contender, had been in a maximum points scoring position throughout. Jonny Milner brought his Toyote Corolla home third, while David Higgins came home fourth, just ahead of Eamonn Boland. As the second Toshiba contender home, Boland took runner-up points to Nesbitt, strengthening his hold on second place in the Championship while third place points go to Alistair Ginley, who also finished seventh overall in his Mitsubishi behind the leading Super 1600, Justin Dale's Peugeot, and second in Group N, just 30 seconds ahead of Trevor Cathers. Dickie Curran was also in the thick of the action for most of the event, and his Mitsubishi was well inside the top 10 before a heavy accident on the final day put him out. Robert Woodside Jnr was another not to make the finish, his Impreza WRC going out on the first stage with hub problems after a heavy landing. Austin McHale's name appeared on the entry list, but the man himself was not in evidence at the start.
The focus now shifts to the Ulster in early September where battle will be rejoined. Once again, as a round of the British Championship, the Super 1600s will lead the field away, but the WRC entry promises to be stronger than ever for this short, sharp event. Can Nesbitt keep his perfect scoring record? Will Derek McGarrity return to mount a challenge? And what about Eamonn Boland. He must be due for a win soon?
We'll know the answers in a month.

West International Update

The 2002 West International Rally 8th – 9th November 2002 is a counting Round of the following championships: -
* 2002 Toshiba Computers Irish Tarmac Rally Championship
* 2002 Ford Ireland Focus Rally Championship
* 2002 Irish Tarmac Historic Rally Championship
* A National Permit event takes place in parallel with the main event.

Event Details:

The event is being organised in association with the Quality Hotel Group with the event utilising both the Quality Hotel in Clarenbridge (Headquarters) and the Quality Hotel in Oranmore.
Regulations will be available from 23rd September 2002 and entries will close on Friday 21st October 2002. Regulations will be posted to those registered for the above Championships. Regulations may be applied for by Post or Fax ONLY to Entries Secretary, Ms. Eleanor O'Boyle, Dunkellin Lodge, Weir Road, Kilcolgan, Co Galway. Fax Number 00 353 (0) 91 758053. The Entry Fee is €495. Event Scrutiny will take place between 2.00pm and 8.00pm on Friday 8th November 2002.
The rally start is 8.00 am on Saturday 8th November. The rally format is eight stages based around a centralised off-road service area in north County Galway followed by four stages in darkness before a 7.30pm finish. In total five separate stages are being used in a rolling loop format giving a total stage mileage of 110 approximately over the twelve stages. Prizegiving will take place on Sunday morning at the rally headquarters. The event is organised by County Galway Motor Club Limited under permit granted by Motorsport Ireland on behalf of the F.I.A (Federation Internationale de L'Automobile).
The organisers have agreed terms to provide 45 minutes of TV coverage of the event on UTV and certain satellite channels.
Clerk of the Course, Dennis Murphy, expressed his delight at the return of International Rallying to the County Galway after a three and a half year absence. International rallies have been taking place in the county since 1971 and this event, although very different in format, is very important for Galway Motor Club and for West of Ireland motorsport enthusiasts. The November date has brought with it new challenges for the organising team, particularly as the club organises it's annual Summer Stages Rally a mere two months earlier. The club is particularly pleased to have access to a new off road facility that will contain the Service Area for the event in addition to Rally Offices etc. The reduction in daylight hours at that time of year adds an additional dimension to a tough day's rallying, as the final four Stages will take place in darkness.

Peugeot 1,2,3 in S1600

Saturday morning dawned with swirling fog, very thick in patches, to greet the third and final day of the fifth round of the Pirelli British Rally Championship. A terrific compliment to the reliability of the Peugeot marque, with Peugeot's taking one, two and three in the Super 1600 category after their rivals struck trouble.
But the start of the day was not a time for heroics and most drivers were taking it steady on Stage 18, the 3.27 miles of Dreemskerry in the north, although Peugeot 206 driver Justin Dale thought the fog wasn't too bad. After Stage 19, Baldhoon, he confirmed "I like the fog, it's a bit more of a challenge. You can't see the junctions from the 100 metres warning arrow". Privateer driver Martin Sansom agreed, "You can't see the corners, you just know they are there" and James Thompson admitted to "driving like my granny." As the fog lifted on the 13½ miles of Ballakew, Stage 20, after Service, Dale said "I'm changing up early to make the car last, taking it nice and steady to the end."
Stage 21, Ballagyr 2, was a re-run of yesterday's Stage 10, and all Peugeot drivers reported it to be extremely slippery and very tricky, causing Thompson a small detour up a bank.
Martin Sansom had a surprise on Stage 22 when a jump turned out to be bigger than anticipated. His brush with the hedge saw them picking leaves off the car at the stage finish, while James Thompson leapt out of the car to investigate a burning smell and declared "What an adventure!". The adventure continued on the re-run of Regaby, Stage 23, when the smell was identified as a burnt out battery in the intercom.
The final stage of the day at almost 14 miles long provided a true grandstand finish along the straight by the pits for the TT races. Justin Dale made no mistakes and secured first place in the Super 1600 Category, with Martin Sansom second and James Thompson third. Dale finished 6th Overall and secures maximum points in the Pirelli British Rally Championship to take him into 2nd place overall, a scant 3 points behind Jonny Milner, 13 points clear of third. Mick Linford, Peugeot UK's Motorsport Manager commented; "We have achieved everything we set out to achieve this weekend. It's pleasing as Justin Dale scored maximum points on the event and won his class and we have closed the gap on the overall championship positions."

Rally Finland Preview

Round nine of the FIA World Rally Championship gets underway next Thursday 8 August, when 84 cars are expected to cross the start ramp in the Finnish town of Jyvaskyla for the start of Rally Finland.
Formerly known as the 1000 Lakes, Rally Finland is the fastest event of the season. Wide, smooth gravel stages allow drivers to reach speeds of up to 200kph through breathtaking scenery, while the famous Finnish 'yumps', the stomach-churning jumps that occur throughout the course, will test their driving skill to the full.
Precision driving and local knowledge are critical to success on this famous event, which has been traditionally dominated by the Finns. In its 51-year history, only five non-Finns have claimed victory, and in the last eleven years Frenchman Didier Auriol has been the only man to snatch the win from the local drivers.
Based in the country regarded as the spiritual home of rallying, this year's rally will see drivers competing over more than 400 kilometres on 22 special stages. As in previous years, the event will be contested near the university town of Jyvaskyla, yet a notable change for 2003 is the decision to have a single service point and rally HQ based at the town's 'Paviljonki' conference centre. Rally Finland also hosts the sixth round of the FIA Production Cup Championship.

Risto Mannisenmaki update
Although Tommi's co-driver, Risto Mannisenmaki, continues to make a good recovery following his accident in Corsica last year, the 555 Subaru team, in conjunction with Tommi's management, have decided that he will not resume his driving partnership with Tommi at least until the beginning of the 2003 season.
"Our decision not to put Risto back in the car is based entirely on our real concern for his well being." The team's Sporting Director, George Donaldson commented. "At every stage of his recovery we sought advice from the best doctors and neurosurgeons and their latest recommendation is that, in his current condition, he should not get back in a rally car. I know it's a blow for Risto, who's eager to get back in the co-driver's seat, but it really is the only responsible decision to take. Kaj Lindstrom will carry on driving with Tommi for the rest of this year, and together with the various medical experts we'll continue to assess Risto's condition before any longer-term decisions are made."

Toshiba Rally Latest

Can Andrew do a Michael?
If all goes according to plan this weekend, Andrew Nesbitt will romp home in the Manx International Rally and produce a rallying version of Michael Schumacher's dominant performance in Formula One. The Armagh driver has enjoyed a clean sweep so far in this years championship with his Cuisine de France Subaru Impreza WRC, and few people would bet against another win on the Isle of Man this weekend despite the presence of most of his regular 'Tarmac' rivals - and the top British Championship runners as well. Nesbitt will start from the No 16 position, behind the regular 'top ten' Super 1600 entries and the regular British series front-runners, but as he proved on the Jim Clark Rally last month, this is not necessarily a problem. On recent form there's little doubt that he CAN win the Manx and take another step towards the title, but even if he doesn't, there are still three rounds left in which to make sure of the crown. As one of the few drivers who are contesting both British and Toshiba series, Austin McHale tops list of serious contenders in Class A8 with his Toyota Ireland Corolla WRC at No 12, followed by Jonny Milner in a similar car at 14. Milner has already tasted victory in the British series, but most pundits feel that Nesbitt's main opposition this weekend will come from Mark Higgins in yet another Corolla at No 15. One of Britain's top talents at the moment and a local man to boot, Higgins' credentials are impeccable and a 'home' win is just what he wants. Behind Nesbitt, Eamonn Boland - currently lying second in the Toshiba points listing with his, new shape' Impreza WRC - will be trying for another strong result, and with Derek McGarrity (third) and Daniel Doherty both giving this round a miss, there's a chance that Eamonn can claim the number one slot in the Championship if he takes the Manx. UK series regulars Robert Woodside Jr (Impreza WRC) and Steve Petch (Hyundai Accent WRC) could also have a bearing on the outcome. In the Group N section, points leader Trevor Cathers (Mitsubishi EVO 5 No 21) will also have to contend with a member of the Higgins family, in this case Mark's brother David who starts his Gp N Impreza at No 11. The rest of the Gp N contenders will also be there. Donie O'Sullivan, just two points behind Cathers will have his Impreza at No 26, while Roy White's EVO6 (25), and Seamus Leonard's Impreza (24) will also be putting pressure on the vastly experienced Co Tyrone man. Based in Douglas, the Manx Rally is, appropriately enough, run over three legs starting at 6.15 on Thursday evening. The first leg involves five stages; two of them run through the streets of Castletown, the ancient Manx capitol. Fridays all-day session takes in 12 stages, including classics such as Brandywell and Round Table, while a further seven stages on Saturday should see the picture complete. Can Andrew Nesbitt emulate Michael Schumacher and clinch the title early? We'll have to wait and see... For stage by stage results, check in with www.toshibarally.com, or, better still, follow the action on your mobile. Call 07789870222 for instant turn-on and catch the action as it happens!