Carlos Sainz joins Citroen

"Citroen has confirmed that two-time world champion Carlos Sainz will drive for the French team on all 14 World Rally Championship rounds next season.
Following his split with long-time co-driver Luis Moya last week, the Spaniard will be co-driven by Marc Marti.
As a result of Sainz joining Citroen, Telefonica Movistar, the Spanish telecommunications company, becomes an official sponsor of the rally team.
Citroen, who embarks on its first full WRC season in 2003, also confirmed that Derek Ringer will read the pacenotes for Colin McRae.
Ringer was McRae's co-driver in 1995 when the Scot won his sole world title in 1995. He returned to co-driving duties for McRae for Rally Australia when the former Ford driver split with Nicky Grist.
Despite Citroen's relative WRC experience, it starts its 2003 campaign with the line-up of Sebastian Loeb, Colin McRae and Carlos Sainz, who have 50 world rally wins and three world titles between them."

Skoda admit Fabia WRC

After what has practically been years of speculation, Skoda have finally confirmed their intention to debut a Fabia World Rally Car in the 2003 season.
Having refused to comment on the matter previously, today a low-key statement on the Czech firm's official website about the signing of Didier Auriol for next year admitted that the Frenchman will be driving an Octavia and Fabia WRC next year.
The 206-sized hatchback should be far more suited to rallying than the lengthy and short-wheel-based Octavia which Skoda have used as the basis for their World Rally Car since they joined the top level of the sport in 1999.
Only last week did we run a story telling Kenneth Eriksson confessed that he would begin testing the Fabia in January, but still Skoda remained tight lipped as most knew it was on the cards.
But the feature on Skoda Motorsport drivers past and present - today found on Skoda's Czech language website said that Didier Auriol would drive both the Octavia and Fabia WRCs and that the Fabia was being prepared for the coming season.
Eriksson says it is planned that the new car will debut at Rally Argentina in May although it might be expected that delays in development will lead Skoda to be cautious with a perhaps later debut.
With at least a three year future in the World Rally Championship and a new car on the way, things are looking up for Skoda Motorsport.

2003 WRC OBJECTIVES FOR PEUGEOT

The 2003 WRC campaign will see Peugeot defend its Manufacturers' and Drivers' crowns with the same driver line-up and car that took it to such an exceptional crop of successes in 2002. The only difference of note will be visible the instant the curtain lifts on the new season, namely the 206 WRC's striking, new red livery based on the colours of the French carmaker's new partner.
It is effectively possible to prepare for the future while at the same time taking care to preserve the bond within the team that has proven its ability to win. Instead of being a year of change for Peugeot Sport, the 2003 season, on the contrary, sees the team place the accent very much on stability, with a squad that has claimed three Manufacturers' titles and two Drivers' titles in the space of just three years. Since 2000, Peugeot has won three consecutive Manufacturers' World Championship titles, plus two Drivers' crowns with Marcus Grönholm (2000, 2002).
Last year also saw Peugeot establish a new record with an unprecedented score of nine WRC one-two finishes from the championship's fourteen rounds.
For 2003, Peugeot has decided to build on these results with the same driver line-up that has made such a significant contribution to its recent spell of success: 2001 World Champion Richard Burns, defending champ Marcus Grönholm, undisputed asphalt ace Gilles Panizzi and Harri Rovanperä, winner of the 2001 Swedish Rally. In addition to being immensely experienced and balanced, one of this foursome's key assets is its collective, all-round ability to take the 206 WRC to victory over the full range of terrains that make up the championship.
Stability is a feature of the team's 2003 bid on the technical front too, since the Peugeot 206 WRC will continue to run in 2002 Evolution specification, although the car, which made its debut on last June's Acropolis Rally, will naturally continue to progress over the season.
As in 2001 and 2002, Peugeot's priority objective for 2003 will be to defend its Manufacturers' crown. At the same time of course, it will also do everything in its power to help one of its drivers win the Drivers' trophy, a prize currently held by Marcus Grönholm.
In keeping with tradition, next year's World Rally Championship will kick off in January with the Monte Carlo Rally and end in November with the Rally of Great Britain. In between these two events, however, the fourteen-round calendar features a certain number of changes, including the replacement of the African classic, the Safari Rally, with the Rally of Turkey, a newcomer to the series.
Finally, the battle for the 2003 title promises to be fiercer than ever with the official arrival of Citroën which takes the total number of manufacturers committed to the championship to seven.

Subaru to Benefit from Pirelli's Change of Focus

The 555 Subaru World Rally Team has confirmed today that it will continue its longstanding relationship with Pirelli, and for the 2003 season will benefit from an exclusive tyre supply deal with the Italian tyre manufacturer.
While Pirelli and the 555 Subaru Team have already enjoyed 34 WRC wins together since the relationship was established in 1994, this latest development places them in a unique and advantageous position going into next year's Championship. Now in a position to focus solely on the needs of the Banbury based team, Pirelli has committed to an exclusive development programme for Subaru, which will concentrate on creating the best possible tyre solutions.
David Lapworth, 555 Subaru Team Principal commented: "We have full confidence in Pirelli and our partnership demonstrates our on-going commitment to them. We're very pleased with this new situation and feel that it gives us a unique advantage over our competitors. As Pirelli's exclusive WRC partner, we will now benefit from 100 per cent of its WRC research and development resources, rather then sharing them with any other manufacturers. Unlike other teams in the championship, we won't have to compromise any of our specific requirements – and that's a great position to be in."

New COC announced for Donegal International

Declan Mc Cay has been announced as Clerk of the Course for the 2003 Donegal Rally.
Declan has been an integral part of the world famous Donegal Motor Club organisation since 1978, and involved with the Rally in almost every capacity since that time. Since acting as Secretary for the Rally, in the early 1980's, he has taken on many other official roles, both in the Donegal organisation and other Motor Club's in the North West. He has become a Speed and Hillclimb Clerk of the Course specialist, both for MotorSport Ireland and London based Motor Sport Association.
Once again, Irish Shell, Donegal Oil and Inishowen Oil are confirmed as the title sponsors of the Rally that will be based at Letterkenny's Mount Errigal Hotel. It will run from the 20th – 22nd June 2003.

EVERY SECOND COUNTS FOR REDDY

The Carlow crew of Michael Reddy and John Brophy have won the Germaines of Baltinglass 2002 GSMC Restricted Single Stage Rally in their Ford Escort RS, finishing the event just one second ahead of Philip Shaw and Derek Brannigan, also Escort-equipped. The rally, organised by the Garda Siochana Motor Club, took place in the western foothills of the Wicklow Mountains, near the Glen of Imail.
Although the weather was dry for the duration of the rally, the roads remained wet and greasy from recent rain. A Practice Run preceeded three timed runs over the stage.
Reddy took the lead on the second run, after John Nolan, who had been fastest on the first run, went off the road a mile from the finish and beached his car on top of a ditch. Nolan will take some consolation from the fact that his stage time of 9 minutes, 28 seconds, set on the first run, remained unbeaten for the rest of the event.
Reddy held a three second advantage over Shaw after the second run, setting up a nailbiting finale for the third and final stage. Shaw was to better Reddy's time, but only by two seconds, leaving Reddy the victor by the smallest of margins.
Padraig and Richard Price took third place, climbing two positions on the final run. They finished just two seconds ahead of Eamonn Murphy and Noel Coady, who in turn had two further seconds to spare over Tomas and John O'Rourke. Terence Teggert and Bob Kelly, (winners of this event in 2000), rounded out the top six.
The GSMC Secretary, Pat Lordan, was the Clerk of the Course for the Germaines of Baltinglass 2002 Restricted Single Stage Rally. The event is termed 'Restricted' because it caters for newcomers to the sport and other drivers who have not finished in the top ten of a multi-stage rally in the preceeding two years. Four wheel drive cars and other cars with engines of over 2 litres are also excluded.

1 Michael Reddy/John Brophy (Ford Escort RS) 29:05
2 Philip Shaw/Derek Brannigan (Ford Escort RS) 29:06
3 Padraig Price/Richard Price (Ford Escort RS) 29:40
4 Eamonn Murphy/Noel Coady (Ford Escort RS) 29:42
5 Tomas O'Rourke/John O'Rourke (Opel Astra GSi) 29:44
6 Terence Teggert/Bob Kelly (Ford Escort RS) 30:05
7 Andrew Purcell/Jim Byrnes (Honda Civic VTI) 30:21
8 Tom Murphy/John Crowley (Ford Escort RS) 30:22
9 Mervyn Wedlock/Philip Smith (Escort G3) 30:43
10 Mick McQuaid/Victor Fields (Ford Escort RS) 30:51

GSMC Single Stage Rally

RALLYING STALWARTS ARE WICKLOW BOUND This Sunday, December 8th, sees the Garda Siochana Motor Club host the Germaines Hotel Restricted Single Stage Rally near Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow. The event has proved to be very attractive for club-level competitors, the organisers having received entries from 152 crews, of which 131 will be permitted to start. There will be three timed runs over the mountainous stage, preceeded by a familiarisation run.
Restricted Single Stage rallies were conceived by Motorsport Ireland to cater for newcomers to the sport and other drivers who had not finished in the top ten of a multi-stage rally in the preceeding two years. These Restricted events provide useful opportunities for competitors who would otherwise have difficulty in securing entries for rallies of greater status.
The top seed for Sunday's event is Terence Taggart, the Banbridge driver who won this event in 2000. He will be navigated by Corkman, Bob Kelly. Third place finisher two years ago, John Nolan, starts at No.2, while Trevor Culbert from Kiltegan heads the local challenge. Also included in the top ten are Padraig Price, who had an excellent run on the Killarney Historic Stages Rally last weekend, and Tomas O'Rourke, who recorded a class win on the Harry Flatters Rally in England during the Summer.
The Familiarisation Run commences at 9.45am, with the first timed run scheduled for 11.10am. The Service area will be located at the Baltinglass Industrial Estate. The traditional victory celebrations will take place at the Finish Ramp located at Germaine's Hotel in Baltinglass, where the winning crew is due to arrive at 4.45pm.

Top Ten Seeds

No./Driver/Co-Driver/Address(es)/Car
1. Terence Taggart/Bob Kelly, Banbridge/Rosscarbery, Ford Escort RS
2. John Nolan/Mairead Kelly, Tullow, Ford Escort RS
3. Trevor Culbert/Russell Dagge, Kiltegan/Tinahelly, Ford Escort RS
4. Liam Wall/James Coleman, Fethard-on-Sea, Ford Escort RS
5. Eamon Murphy/Noel Coady, Ferrybank/Waterford, Ford Escort RS
6. Padraig Price/Richard Price, Mullingar, Ford Escort RS
7. Brendan Brosnan/Jason O'Connor, Ardfert/Limerick, Ford Escort RS
8. John Rooney/Tina Moran, Newtownbutler/Duncormick, Ford Escort G3
9. Gerard McGivney/Brian Ruth, Carrickmacross, Ford Escort RS
10. Tomas O'Rourke/John O'Rourke, New Ross/Carlow, Opel Astra GSi

Mitsubishi withdraw from WRC

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced today that it will restructure its motor sports engineering activities over the next 12 months to prepare for a full-fledged return to the FIA WRC (World Rally Championship) in 2004. MMC will not take part in the FIA WRC in 2003 to concentrate fully on a successful return the following year.
Andrew Cowan, Chairman of Ralliart Europe ( RAE ) and Sven Quandt, head of MMC's motor sports activities, jointly voted for this step after a thorough evaluation of the current situation. Quandt said: "This decision is necessary as our engineering resources in Japan and Europe are currently in the process of being restructured. We need some time to return as a top WRC team, just as MMC needed time to return to profitability and growth over the last 18 months. We aim for a successful return with a competitive car in the near future to the benefit of the Mitsubishi Motors brand."
MMC Executive Vice President Ulrich Walker added: "We have already initiated new projects over the last few months and together with our colleagues in Japan and Europe we are looking forward to renewed success soon."
Ralliart Europe Director John Easton has disclosed that Mitsubishi has given a pledge to the FIA that it will return to the World Rally Championship in 2004 and insisted that its withdrawal next year is the fastest way to regain competitiveness.

Shaun Gallagher wins Billy Coleman Award

Shaun Gallagher has won the 2002 Billy Coleman Award. The award, named after one of Ireland's most successful rally drivers, is presented by Motorsport Ireland to the best up and coming driver. This award tops off an outstanding year for the young Letterkenny man, a year that saw him move to the forefront of motorsport both at home and abroad.
Shaun finished 2nd in this year's Peugeot 206 Super Cup following a season long battle with Gary Jennings and he was awarded no less than five top awards at the annual Peugeot Sport Gala Ball in November.
The winner was announced today (Monday 2nd) at the Alfa Romeo / Motorsport Ireland Awards for Excellence and Shaun said this: "I'm absolutely delighted, it is an honour to take on the title Billy Coleman Award Winner because of the success and status of the award. Having awards behind your name is a real advantage in motorsport and I hope that this will help open a lot of doors for me"
The award is worth ?30,000 and includes a week at a major European Rally School, a free competition licence, free entry fees and free road insurance for a year. International co-driver Ronan Morgan will also provide the winner with advice on various aspects of international competition.

Killarney Historic Stages Rally

Dessie Nutt/Geraldine McBride in a Porsche 911 added another win on the Killarney Historic Stage Rally. After 10 tough stages, they came out ahead of the similar car of John Keatley/Maurice Beckett, with Mervyn Johnston/Richard Hyland the first Mini in third place.
John & Christy Farrell were the well deserved winners of the Post Historic Section after setting the pace from the word go
Phil Collins/Howard Davies took the classic section, after early pace setter Philip Shaw broke a halfshaft and Donie O'Sullivan had a puncture.
Historics (Overall)
1 Dessie Nutt/Geraldine McBride Porsche 911 01:41:04
2 John Keatley/Maurice Beckett Porsche 911 01:42:25
3 Mervyn Johnston/Richard Hyland Mini Cooper 01:44:09
4 Steve Perez/Jonty Bolsover Porsche 911 01:44:11
5 Connie Ward/Timmy Horan Mini Cooper 01:44:40

Post Historic
1 John Farrell/Christy Farrell Ford Escort 01:38:01
2 Martin Freestone/Chris Hayes Ford RS1600 01:39:10
3 Ray & Elaine Cunningham Mini Cooper 01:39:38
4 Lloyd & Lester Hutchinson Austin Cooper 01:40:01
5 Martin Ward/Linda Conroy Opel Manta 01:42:38

Classic
1 Phil Collins/Howard Davies Ford Escort 01:32:50
2 Donie O'Sullivan/Paul Nagle Ford Escort 01:34:20
3 Wesley Patterson/Bob Kelly Ford Escort 01:35:48
4 Patrick Bonar/Derek Montgomery Ford Escort 01:36:32
5 Padraig Price/Richard Price Ford Escort 01:37:14

Galloway Glory for Morrow

The first round of the inaugural Peugeot 206 Winter Cup got away to a cracking start with fourteen starters, of whom no fewer than eight were competing in Peugeot 206's for the first time.
The 45 stage mile event started from the hospitable town of Castle Douglas in South West Scotland under brightening skies, although heavy overnight rain had made the stages very slippery indeed.
206 Super Cup veteran Ben Roper's late entry came to nothing very early in Stage 1, the 12 mile of Bennan, crashing out after remembering that he had also crashed out on a nearby stage on the Scottish Rally some six months earlier. This first stage was also to prove the undoing of another experienced man and favourite for the event Mike Faulkner who along with Richard Sykes and Leon Pesticcio suffered a puncture on the opening test. The resulting suspension damage to Faulkner's car later caused driveshaft failure and his hopes came to an end on Stage 2, but the earlier puncture did not prevent Sykes from setting fastest time on the stage. Pesticcio was unable to hear his co-driver Craig Parry's notes when their intercom failed on Stage 1, but most drivers reported struggling to get to grips with the unfamiliar noting system. Clive Wheeler made a steady start in his new car having only driven it for the first time today, saying "I'm in a new car, with new notes, and I'm not used to having so many gears.". Stage 2 was an eight miler through Glengap and newcomer Sebastian Ling was fastest by three seconds to give him an overall lead of 5 seconds over Olly Marshall, showing early on that he means business. Richard Sykes had dropped to third after losing his place in the notes half way through. However, he had recently been to the Mark Higgins Rally School and was pleased to be putting into practice what he had learnt. Leon Pesticcio was getting to grips with his new car but suffering from brake problems which caused the car to over-rev under braking. Tim Cowper was bringing up the rear coming into first service, but was quite happy driving at his own pace and determined to bring his new car to the finish.
It was another newcomer, 17 year old Stuart Jones' turn to set fastest time on Stage 3, the five miles of Dalbeattie, although Marshall's equal fastest was enough to give him the overall lead. Pesticcio's service crew attempted to get his brakes sorted at Service in Castle Douglas but the problems reappeared on this stage, while Clive Wheeler ended his hopes of a good finish when he rolled his 206 at high speed causing substantial damage to the driver's side of the car, but he continued to the end. Sebastian Ling ended his excellent Cup debut on this stage, retiring after a double puncture and track control arm failure while in the lead. His valiant effort is rewarded with the Total Quartz 9000 oil.
The final two stages after second Service were Cairn Edward at twelve miles, followed immediately by seven miles in Loch Grannoch. Pesticcio set his first fastest time on Stage 4 to prove that he will be a man to watch in future, while 17 year old Stuart Jones admitted to a lack of concentration in Stage 4.
Martin Evans commented that he was desperate to reach the finish of the event, as he hadn't finished an event for six months, so will be delighted to not only finish, but in the money! Shane McCarthy was the only representative from Southern Ireland, and typically Irish, had not competed on gravel before. However, despite finding his car was "floating" on the slippery gravel surface, he finished, trying to put as many miles as possible under his belt before his charge on the 206 Super Cup 2003.
Jon Tucker's event went downhill just before the flying finish on Stage 4 when he went off on a left hand bend over a crest, nosing a bank and damaging the radiator but limped through Stage 5 and to the finish. However, Matt Jessup failed to get to the finish when he damaged his radiator on the same test.
Richard Sykes went into the last stage with a 4 second cushion over newcomer Phillip Morrow, but the dream of winning the inaugural 206 Winter Cup first round ended with a puncture midway through the stage. Phillip, with brother Simon alongside, put in a charge, set fastest time, and won the event by six seconds finishing 22nd overall. It was a double delight for the brothers as Phillip had been awarded with the Northern Ireland Junior Driver of the year just the day before, making this a great weekend. "My Mum is in tears." said the delighted son! 17 year old Stuart Jones was another 6 seconds behind that, in his 3rd ever event, also winning a Motorsport News subscription for best improvement in seeding. Nine of the fourteen starters gained the finish line, all crews ok.

Final Results:

Phillip Morrow/Simon Morrow 48:25
Richard Sykes/Mark McAllister 48:31
Stuart Jones/Andy Marchbank 48.37
Leon Pesticcio/Craig Parry 48:52
Martin Evans/Shaun O'Gorman 49:58
Clive Wheeler/Ken Bartram 50:09
Shane McCarthy/Tony Mulcahy 50:18
Jon Tucker/Scott Cleverden 51:02
Tim Cowper/Ashley Fowler 54.20