Carlow Rallysprint Results
1 Brian Murphy Subaru Impreza 2000
2 Ollie O'Donovan Subaru Legacy 2000
3 Maurice Gass Subaru Impreza 2000
4 Niall Maguire Subaru Impreza 2000
5 Kevin Barrett Subaru Impreza WRC
6 Eddie Kinorns Toyota Celica GT4
7 Tom Holton Toyota Celica 2000
8 David James Ford Escort BDX 2000
9 Norman Beggs Vauxhall Tigra 2000
10 Christopher Grimes Vauxhall Nova 1600
11 Peter McCullagh Ford Escort Cosworth
12 Fergal Allen BMW M3 2300
13 James Cribbin Mitsubishi Evo
14 James Foley Honda Civic 1800
15 Pat Keogh Vauxhall Nova 1600
Hyundai tests for Monte
Hyundai's Freddy Loix and Armin Schwarz last week completed a 6 day test in southern France in preparation for January's Rallye Monte Carlo, 2002 season opener.
Loix and Schwarz were able to try out the Accent over various surfaces, including dry, wet and icy tarmac but unfortunately for them no snow as the region is yet to experience a snowfall. This will apparently be covered on a test at a later date.
It was Armin's first proper drive in the car having only had a short chance behind the wheel at the Bettega Memorial Rallysprint event in Bologna the previous weekend whereas Loix had already tested it right after the Rally of Great Britain back in November.
Freddy felt positive about the work he had completed: "We spent the first day on dry tarmac and by the end of that day the car felt very good and we were happy with what we had achieved. The following few days we tested on icy roads that became wet after the sun came out, and although the car felt ok, it was very difficult to get any heat into the tyres to know which were going to be the best choice. Hopefully we will be able to confirm that detail on the January test."
Armin Schwarz, who was on stunning form on the 2001 Monte Carlo Rally in the Skoda Octavia WRC, said: "Obviously to begin with we had to very quickly get a general feeling of the car as this was our first test. We had some roads that were mixed surfaces and quite bumpy and tight and twisty - quite like the roads you get in Monte Carlo. We made suspension changes to help with tyre performance and are quite happy with our choices. In the damper conditions, on the whole the car works well, and the teamwork put in by the mechanics and engineers to get the car exactly as I want it was amazing, but there are still a few areas that we need to work on a little bit more. We will have some more confirmation testing before Monte Carlo and after that we should definitely be able to set some better times."
Schwarz has reportedly been surprised with the Accent's lack of power and steering lock but says these can be cured in time for the next homologation of the car, due in March.
Rallye Monte Carlo kicks off the 2002 season running from January 17-20, and Hyundai will be represented by Armin Schwarz and Freddy Loix. Third driver Juha Kankkunen and co-driver Juha Repo will be joining the Hyundai Castrol World Rally Team crews for the first non-tarmac event - the International Swedish Rally in February. The Korean marque has chosen not to run a third car for Monte Carlo.
WRC Entry List Released
No. / Manufacturer / Team name / Driver
1 Peugeot / Total 206 WRC Richard Burns (GB)
2 Peugeot / Total 206 WRC Marcus Gronholm (FIN)
3 Peugeot / Total 206 WRC (Harri Rovanpera/Gilles Panizzi)
4 Ford Focus WRC Carlos SAINZ (E)
5 Ford Focus WRC Colin McRAE (GB)
6 Ford Focus WRC TBA (Markko Martin)
7 Mitsubishi / Ralliart Lancer WRC François DELECOUR (F)
8 Mitsubishi / Ralliart Lancer WRC Alister McRAE (GB)
9 Mitsubishi / Ralliart Lancer WRC TBA
10 Subaru / Prodrive Subaru WRC 2001/02 Tommi MÄKINEN (FIN)
11 Subaru / Prodrive Subaru WRC 2001/02 Petter SOLBERG (N)
12 Subaru / Prodrive Subaru WRC 2001/02 TBA
14 Skoda Motorsport Octavia WRC Kenneth ERIKSSON (S)
15 Skoda Motorsport Octavia WRC Toni GARDEMEISTER (FIN)
16 Skoda Motorsport Octavia WRC (Stig Blomqvist/Roman Kresta)
17 Hyundai Castrol / MSD Accent WRC Armin SCHWARZ (D)
18 Hyundai Castrol / MSD Accent WRC Freddy LOIX (B)
19 Hyundai Castrol / MSD Accent WRC TBA (Juha Kankkunen)
20 Citroen Xsara WRC Thomas RADSTRÖM (S)
21 Citroen Xsara WRC Sébastien LOEB (F)
22 Citroen Xsara WRC TBA (Phillipe Bugalski)
TBA denotes that different drivers can be nominated at each event
Birr Single Stage Regs available
The Birr & District Auto Club Single Stage Tarmac Rally takes place on 10th February. Regs will be posted to all last years drivers on the 8th January. Anyone wishing to have regs sent to them
please send me an e-mail off the group or ring Eoin Longworth, COC on 086-8179297. This is a restricted rally open to competitors with cars up to 2100cc, non 4WD.
Rally HQ will be Dooly's Hotel, Birr.
Wishing all a safe and happy Christmas from Birr & District Auto Club Ltd.
KBB Doors National Forestry Championship 2002
Championship Details and Dates
Regulations, including book of entry forms for the 2002 KBB Doors National
Forest Rally Championship will be available shortly.
Applications should be sent to Chairman of the Championship, Tom Nolan,Ullid, Kilmacow, Waterford (Tel/SMS 087 -6792142)
or Cathy Brogan, Clonmore, Piltown, Co Kilkenny (Tel/SMS 086-8760202)
This year's championship moves to a calender year format and will include a class for Peugeot 106 cars
Championship Rounds
1. Jan 27 Tipperary Forestry Rally
2. Feb 24 Carrick-on-Suir Willie Loughman Forestry Stages Rally
3. Mar 14 MEC Circuit of Wicklow Forestry Rally
4. May 19 Munster Forestry Stages Rally
5. Sept 8 Cork Forestry Stages Rally
6. Sep 29 Birr Forestry Stages Rally
7. Oct 20 Killarney Forestry Stages Rally
Lindstrom continues with Makinen
Substitute co-driver will help Mannisenmaki make full recovery
The Subaru World Rally Team announced today that 32-year old Finn Kaj Lindström will substitute for Risto Mannisenmaki as Tommi Makinen's
co-driver for the first two events of the 2002 WRC season.
The swap will allow Risto to continue the excellent recovery he is making after an accident in October's Tour de Corse. It is hoped that
Risto will be back in the car with Tommi for the third round of the 2002 season - the Tour de Corse, which starts on the 8th March.
On the 21st October this year Risto had surgery in France to repair a broken vertebra sustained in the accident. He was later moved back
home to Finland where he has received physiotherapy treatment to help his recovery.
Risto said: "It's been almost 2 months since the accident and my recovery is going well. I'm back at home and lead a pretty normal
life. The vertebrae that was broken is healing fine, but I also damaged some of the nerves in my back and these will take a little
longer to get back to 100%. So I must take regular simple exercise like walking and swimming to help build up the muscle strength, I'm
seeing the physiotherapist twice or three times a week now and getting plenty of rest. I will be in Monte Carlo - but not with Tommi in the
Subaru just yet, instead I'll be in service helping the team in some other way - probably giving advice on stage conditions. It's a shame
because I feel OK, but the doctors have told me to rest and take it easy so that is what I will do - my target is to be back in the car
with Tommi for Corsica."
Subaru World Rally Team Sporting Director George Donaldson said: "I spoke to Risto the day after the accident and before his operation and
at that time neither of us had an idea what the future would bring. But speaking to him now, it's just like business as usual and he's
anxious to get back in a rally car. But you can't rush the recovery process so Risto will be helping Tommi and the team in other ways
until he's fit enough for the co-driver's seat. His temporaryreplacement, Kaj, is a very capable co-driver and I'm sure that he
will do his best for Tommi and Subaru in Monte Carlo and Sweden."
Lindström, who won the British Rally Championship with Tapio Laukkanen in 1999, drove with Tommi for the first time on this year's Rally of
Great Britain. He said: "It was quite easy for me to get into the notes system that Tommi uses. It is a detailed one though, he notes 15
different types of corner for instance, but we made some good progress on the Rally of Great Britain. It's a great opportunity for me to
drive with him again - I'm looking forward to getting some testing done in the second week in January."
Peugeot 206 dates announced
The 206 Super Cup, the most exciting one-make rally series in the UK, is delighted to announce a fantastic calendar for its 2002 programme.
The Cup will follow most of the events in the revised British Rally Championship, tackling classic stages from England to Wales, Scotland to Ireland, as well as incorporating one of the BTRDA rounds, the Quinton Rally in mid-Wales. In addition, it will include the now traditional trip across the Channel, to contend a round of the French National Championship, competing against their Gallic 206 counterparts. Rounding off the championship will see a promotional event, similar to the Banbury Rally which ran in 2001, with the details still to be confirmed.
With six events over 100 miles, competing where possible in the main field, the new 206 Super Cup will be a suitably challenging arena for the dynamic new 206 pocket rockets. The remaining two are shorter, but no less challenging. Six events from the eight will count towards the superb prize, a works drive for the winning driver in the Peugeot 206 Super 1600 car in 2003, along with a 10,000 prize fund on each round.
Again with TOTAL support, the 206 Super Cup will enjoy a minimum three year run, with the promotional back up and television coverage which previous Peugeot Challenges have enjoyed in the past.
Date Event Location Surface
April 26-28 Gateshead Rally Newcastle Gravel
May 17-19 Welsh Rally Wrexham Gravel
June 8-9 Scottish Rally Dumfries Gravel
July 12-14 Jim Clark Rally Edinburgh* Asphalt
July 27 Quinton Rally* Llandrindod Wells Gravel
September 6-7 Ulster International Belfast Asphalt
October 5-6 Le Touquet France Asphalt
October 26 * Promotional event* Oxfordshire* Mixed
In addition, further training and test days will be added to the calendar, along with the end of year Awards Gala Ball on November 9th.
Mick Linford, Peugeot Sport Motorsport Manager UK, commented, We are delighted to have such a fantastic championship to show off our new cars. It will be a great showcase and we are looking forward to another year of close and equal competition in the 206 Super Cup.
Regulations will be published in the New Year
Cantamessa takes Bettega Memorial win
Czech driver Roman Kresta of Skoda Motorsport has shown excellent pace through the traditional exhibition event, the Attilo Bettega Memorial, in the Italian city of Bologna. Not only did he win silver place with his Octavia WRC at the hugely popular event, losing only in the finale to domestic hero Luca Cantamessa, but he confirmed his world rally ranking by beating a host of top rally drivers.
The Attilio Bettega Memorial is the traditional event preceding the Bologna Motor Show and commemorates the tragic death of Italian driver Attilio Bettega. Every year it attracts a host of famous drivers from past and present. Kresta made his debut in the race last year and managed to beat such matadors as Alister McRae, Pierro Liatti and Harri Rovanpera before finishing 3rd. His competition this year included such aces as Markku Alen, Andrea Aghini, Mark Higgins, Renato Travaglia, Andrea Navarra, along with his former colleagues from the Skoda factory team, Armin Schwarz and Bruno Thiry and new Skoda Motorsport team member, Toni Gardemaister.
The weekend supershow, which attracted vast numbers of spectators in spite of the inclement weather, reached its climax on Sunday afternoon. The crowds were treated to a final fight for the glory between the domestic hero Luca Cantamessa, with a Toyota Corolla WRC and Kresta in his Skoda Octavia WRC. The finale consisted of three rounds, over which both drivers raced virtually neck and neck. Eventually locals celebrated as Cantamessa triumphed by a whisker. For Kresta too, there was victory, in proving once again that he is deserving of his place alongside the world's best drivers in rallysport. He said: "The atmosphere was just superb in spite of the weather, it was great to see such enormous crowds. I had an excellent race and the Octavia WRC was on top form, running without a hitch. I managed to win the group and then to climb up to the finale. Even though my luck ran out in the final few moments, I am really happy with my outing here."
Makinen tries Subaru
Four-time world champion Tommi Makinen has driven with his new Subaru team for the first time this week after getting behind the wheel of the Impreza World Rally Car during a pre-Monte Carlo Rally test.
With the contract wrangle with world champion Richard Burns and Peugeot over, the Subaru team has been getting on with preparations for next year and helping Burns' replacement settle in.
Makinen, who has turned his back on a seven-year partnership with Mitsubishi to move to Subaru, declared himself happy with his new machine.
"It's very good and I'm very happy to see how the team is working," said Makinen. "The car has so much potential. I have made a lot of changes already to the transmission and there are lots of possibilities. It is very nice."
The flying Finn ran near Col du Brau in the French Alps as preparation for the next year's season-opening event in Monte Carlo. Not only is it a new car for Makinen, but also new tyres as he changes from Michelin to Pirelli rubber.
"It is the whole package," he said when asked what had impressed him most. "Every area is strong. The balance is very good, it's very easy to drive and the tyres seem to be very progressive."
Makinen finished third in the championship this year after retiring from Rally GB on the opening Leg. The 37-year-old admits that it is too early to be making title predictions for next year, but admits he is optimistic after his debut run.
"At the moment it's looking very good and I'm very positive," he said. "Of course it's early days and I have no idea about other conditions yet, but so far so good."
Burns tests Peugeot 206
World Rally Champion Richard Burns has given his first impressions of the Peugeot 206 WRC after testing for his new team in south-east France. The Englishman had been involved in a contact wrangle with his previous team Subaru, but when that ended yesterday (see separate story) he was free to begin work proper for the French outfit.
Testing on Tarmac roads in the mountains about 20km east of Grasse, Burns completed 150km yesterday and will finish the test today. And his first impressions of the world championship-winning French car were positive.
"My first feeling when I got into the car was it feels fine," said the Englishman. "The car probably feels how it looks. Compared to other cars, it feels precise."
The main focus of Wednesday's test was to adjust the seat fittings in the 206 WRC so Burns could find the best driving position, but the Englishman wasn't entirely comfortable and felt he was a little too close to the steering wheel. However, he is slightly shorter than his team mate Marcus Gronholm and Burns expects to find the optimum position soon.
The 206 is a smaller car than the Subaru Impreza he's been driving for the past three years and asked if he thought his new car feels nervous he said: "It's hard to tell on this road with the level of grip we've got here. The whole philosophy of the car is quite different. The size first of all and the transverse engine gives you a different sort of balance."
Burns' other team mate, asphalt specialist Gilles Panizzi, takes over testing duties on Friday as the team prepares for the new season, which gets underway in just over a month's time in Monte Carlo.
Mitsubishi WRC tests for Monte Carlo
Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart have begun pre-Monte Carlo test work in France with new driver Francois Delecour behind the wheel.
The team started work at Clelles, south of Grenoble, where it was cool and damp before moving to Ste. Maxime where they found warmer and drier conditions.
Because of the continuing recuperation of Daniel Grataloup, injured during Rally Australia, Delecour's co-driver for the tests was Dominique Savignoni.
One car was used and covered about 700km, without problems. Delecour: "The Lancer is like no other car because it has an electrically, not a hydraulically, activated central differential. The first time I drove the car it always tried to spin. Then I realised how to adjust my driving. I had always wondered why Tommi's car could accelerate so well out of corners, now I know!" Their second regular driver Alister McRae will be responsible later on for the pre-Swedish testing.
It looks as if the team's main sponsor for the past few years, Tobacco company Marlboro will be staying with the Japanese marque. Mitsubishi have just released a 2002 season preview with the team still named as Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart.
Burns free for Peugeot drive
The Subaru World Rally Team announced today that it has reached an
agreement with the British driver Richard Burns over his 2002
contract.
Following negotiations since the Rally of Great Britain, a settlement
has been reached which releases Richard from his contractual
obligations to Subaru.
The team is pleased that this matter is now resolved, and wishes
Richard and Robert Reid well in their new endeavours.
Meanwhile a statement from Peugeotsays that Peugeot Sport has been informed that Subaru has
reached an agreement with Richard Burns by which Richard Burns becomes free
to enter Peugeot Sport as permanent driver for 2002 and 2003.
Peugeot Sport, while it is delighted to have Richard Burns and Robert Reid
joining the team for the next two years, wishes to thank Subaru for having
helped to make this solution possible.
McShea to drive for Opel
Niall McShea has been mentioned as the driver next year of the new Opel Corsa 1600 kit car as 2002 sees trhe return of the GM team to rallying.
This sees Niall leaving the Citroen team of this year and is known to have had a test session during the week.
He will be joined next year in the Super 1600 World Championship by the likes of Gwyndaf Evans who will drive for MG and Martin Rowe has been nominated by Ford.
Another manufacturer interested in the WRC S1600 is Suzuki with up to 3 Ignis cars being mentioned .
.
Skoda to run 5 cars in 2002
Skoda Motorsport World Rally Team this morning confirmed a 5 driver lineup
for 2002. Eriksson and Gardemeister will be joined by Blomqvist, Kresta
and Pozzo next season.
Rally legend Stig Blomqvist has committed to his biggest World Rally Championship programme in years as Skoda gears up for its first full-scale attack in 2002.
The 55-year-old former world champion will compete in half of the championship rounds driving a third Octavia WRC for the team, alongside Swede Kenneth Eriksson and Finn Toni Gardemeister, who will take in all 14 events. Czech driver Roman Kresta will take over from Blomqvist for the other seven rallies.
An additional fourth factory-supported Octavia will be entered on selected events and will be driven by reigning Group N champion Gabriel Pozzo.
Skoda's expansion is part of the team's plan to develop its WRC attack, but has also been influenced by the new points scoring system for next year. Instead of manufacturers only being allowed to nominate two cars to score points on events, they can now name three. The marque's two highest finishers on a rally will then be counted as the points scorers.
Team principal Pavel Janeba said: "Next season will be much more demanding from a logistics point of view. We have never contested in 14 events and we have never entered more than three cars. However, I feel we are already mature enough to handle this challenge.
"I am confident we have a strong line-up with an ideal mix of both very experienced drivers and young, impetuous ones. With their input, together with an increased effort from the whole team, we will be able to make another big step in our long-term rally programme."
Donegal Single Stage Results
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
1 Paul Harris/Eugene O'Donnell (Subaru Impreza Sti)........24.48
2 Trevor Cathers/Gordon Noble (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 5)....25.25
3 Andrew Stewart/Fabian McShane (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6)..25.32
4 Philip Shaw/Herbie Blackburn (Escort 2.0)................26.21
5 Joe MacHugh/Dermnot MacHugh (Escort 2.0).................26.23
6 Eugene Ferry/John Gallagher (Escort 2.0).................26.29
7 Damien Gallagher/Mac Walsh (Escort 2.0)..................26.35
8 Paul Gallagher/Karl Reid (Toyota Corolla 1.6)............26.40
9 Rory Kennedy/Kieran McFadden (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6)...26.42
10 Raymond Johnston/Ivan Fisher (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 5)...26.44
All the news from Donegal - www.rallynews.net
Pirelli UK to sponsor ABIRO Championship
Pirelli Tyres UK are pleased to announce that they will be helping bring back top line rallying to the UK via title sponsorship of the ABIRO Open Rally Championship.
Pirelli have always been heavily involved in rallying and are very pleased to be able to help the ABIRO organisers anyway they can. In the process of the next two years they hope to bring back some of the excitement of a rally.
The first round of the Championship, the Pirelli International Rally, will start in Gateshead in April, Where fans will be entertained at the all new Rally Show, as well as get up close to the cars and drivers and watch the first stage before the cars head off into Kielder Forest .
The ABIRO is the breakaway championship including the Manx , Ulster and Jim Clark Memorial and will feature Class 8 (WRC cars) cars along with S1600
Burns Contract saga continues
As the row continues between Peugeot and Subaru over who Richard Burns is going to drive for in 2002 the latest outcome from the courts is that Subaru have lost the first part of the court
injunction to prevent Burns testing for any other team.While insisting that Burns is a Subaru driver for 2002 the team requested that Burns stop testing the 206 WRC,(with a test in Sweden being cancelled) however the courts denied the motion and said that Burns is free to
test with Peugeot.
Subaru are still seeking to enforce a contract that gives Burns a choice between driving an Impreza in 2002, not driving at all, or paying US$10,000,000 – a sum mentioned in correspondence between Burns's manager Julian Jakobi and Prodrive Chairman David Richards – to go free.
Burns has retaliated quoting the fact that Tommi Makinen has been hired as a replacement and that Burns is therefore free to go, citing Prodrive's October 15 press release describing Makinen as "the perfect number one" and a letter of November 27 wishing Burns well in future from Subaru President Kyoji Takenaka.
Meanwhile Subaru are claiming the loss of publicity by losing a World Rally Champion would be detremental and although Burns can not be forced to drive they still want to retain his services.
Peugeot maintain that any legal arguments are between Richard Burns and Subaru but they have a contract signed with Burns for 2002
2002 Irish Motorsport Annual released
The 25th edition of the Irish Motorsport Annual is now on sale. This major publication is chock full of stimulating and interesting articles and features, with the usual quantity of strong comment, if not controversy. There are 196 action packed colour pages with over 350 photographs. It is the biggest ever in its 25 years. The foreward, as was the case with the first edition published in 1976, is written by John Watson - Ireland's most successful racing driver. There is also a long and interesting interview with the Belfast-born racer/broadcaster. The Irish Motorsport Annual 2002, edited by Michael O'Carroll, has a list of quality writers - Sammy Hamill, Declan Quigley, Brian Patterson, Martin Walsh, Padraig Reddington, 'Plum' Tyndall, Colm Doherty, Richard Young, Louise Condon, Andreas Freidrichs, Michael Lyster, Vincent Hogan, David Kennedy, Russell Murphy, Austin Shinnors, Leo Nulty, Linda Keen, John Kenny and the redoubtable cynic Toby Incher.
"The Annual is unique because it deals with all elements of motorsport - cars, bikes and karts - and it comments and reports on virtually every aspect of this thriving activity," says award winning editor Michael O'Carroll. "We looked for a special blend because of the 25th year. We have succeeded in producing as special treat."Ronan Morgan, in a detailed interview with Vincent Hogan, claims that he can bring a World Rally Championship round to Ireland within a few years. Elsewhere, there are opinions expressed regarding the new Mondello Park developments. The breakdown of team costs in Formula 1 is graphically described and there are views on whether the right decisions were taken by the motorsport authorities both north and south in relation to the Foot and Mouth epidemic. In many places, no punches are pulled.
There is news, many views, stimulating comment and commentary in the Annual 2002. But there is also humour, opinion and insight. "This is the finest and biggest Annual yet, and still we have been able to keep the price at £6.95 (€8.80), including all taxes, despite rising production costs. It is superb value for money," says Michael O'Carroll.
The Irish Motorsport Annual is available from all good newsagents and bookshops in Ireland or by post from IMSA, PO Box 16, Blackrock, Co. Dublin at £7.00 (including p&p). Tel/Fax: 353 1 289 4845 Mobile: 353 87 2433 211 or e-mail: rtegp@hotmail.com
Oisin O Brien
Wexford Single Stage 16th December
Some of the top entries
2 DAVID JAMES RON GUHA WEXFORD ESCORT BDX
3 WILLIE CARROLL JASON MERNAGH WEXFORD COSWORTH
4 WILLIE O' DWYER ANDREW PURCELL KILKENNY METRO 6R4
5 JOHN NOLAN JOHN SMITHWICK CARLOW ESCORT 2000
6 JIMMY LAMBERT JAMES COLEMAN TIPPERARY ESCORT 2000
7 THOMAS RANDLES DIARMUID LYNCH KERRY ESCORT MKII2400
8 KIERAN MOLLOY BRIAN BOLAND TIPPERARY LANCER 1997
9 COLM DOYLE MICHAEL MAHER WATERFORD IMPREZA STI WRX
10 TREVOR CULBERT JAMES GLYNN WICKLOW ESCORT 2000
11 DAVID PERCY BOB KELLY TIPPERARY ESCORT 1998
12 JOHN HENNESSY CHRIS FINNEGAN CARLOW ESCORT MKII2000
14 JAMES FOLEY ANN FOLEY MEATH CIVIC1800
15 PADDY O' REILLY ALAN HANON MONAGHAN ESCORT PR5
16 WILLIE FANNIN BRIAN DUGGAN DUBLIN LANCER EVO 6 2000
17 PHILIP SHAW DEREK BRENNIGAN FERMANAGH ESCORT 2000
18 SHAY POWER MARTIN CROKE TIPPERARY ESCORT 2000
19 EAMONN MURPHY KEITH MARTIN WATERFORD ESCORT 2000
20 PAT PRICE KAREN PRICE DUBLIN LANCER EVO 6 1998
21 PAT BOLGER PAUL GRIFFIN KILKENNY CHEVETTE2200
22 PADRAIG PRICE TBA WESTMEATH SIERRA 2000
23 JOE CURRAN OLLIE GARRY MEATH ASTRA 1998
The unrestricted event will see the ten-mile course in the Newbawn area of
South-West Wexford being traversed three times, with the final circuit
taking place at night, following fall of darkness.
Rally HQ will once more be situated at the Crosbie Cedars Hotel in
Rosslare, with Ballinaboola being the location of the service area.
Clerk of the course Des Byrne - assisted by Sean Gaul has devised an
intriguing circuit that is certain to test the best, particularly in the dark
Carlow Rallysprint
1. Eddie Kinirons (Toyota Celica GT4 2000) 1 03:47.3 03:40.0 03:40.0 11:07.2
2. Douglas Richardson (Ford Escort 2500) 7 03:49.1 03:43.1 03:40.3 11:12.5
3. James Foley (Honda Civic 1800) 4 03:48.5 03:45.0 03:47.1 11:20.6
4. Vincent Deery (Vauxhall Nova 1600) 5 03:52.2 03:46.2 03:44.0 11:22.4
5. David Francis (Ford Escort G4T 1993) 7 03:53.0 03:48.2 03:42.3 11:23.4
6. Paddy White (Ford Escort Cosworth 2000) 1 03:46.2 03:52.2 03:49.0 11:27.4
7. Tom Holton (Toyota Celica 2000) 1 03:56.1 03:48.2 03:46.5 11:30.9
8. Fergal Allen (BMW M3 2300) 7 03:50.2 03:42.1 03:59.3 11:31.7
9. Joe Foley (Subaru Impreza 2000) 1 03:56.7 03:48.7 03:48.3 11:33.8 1
0. James Cassidy (Renault 11 1600) 3 03:57.9 03:52.1 03:49.3 11:39.3
Cork Single Stage Results
1. Ray Breen/Podge Newe (Subaru Impreza 555)..............23.17
2. Frank O'Mahony/Brian O'Mahony (Metro 6R4)..............23.49
3. Tommy Graham/Finbarr Mangen (Ford Escort WRC)..........23.54
4. Jimmy Lambert/James Coleman (Escort MkII)..............24.02
5. Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Toyota ST205).............24.21
6. Gerry McVeigh/Padraig Dineen (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO5)..24.33
7. Kieran Molloy/Brian Boland (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO6)....24.37
8. John O'Leary/Michael Coleman (Subaru Impreza WRX).....25.01
9. Leonard Downey/Mark Murphy (Escort MkII)...............25.05
10. Wesley Patterson/Bob Kelly (Corsa RWD).................25.12
11. Willie Fannin/Brian Duggan (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO6)....25.24
12. Allen Treacy/Bob Fitzgerald (Toyota Corolla 2.0).......25.28
13. Terence Teggart/Colin Clarke (Escort 2.0)..............25.32
14. Barry Coleman/Hugh McPhillips (Subaru Impreza 555).....25.34
15. Dave Slattery/Ger Somers (Escort 2.0)..................25.35
16. John Shanahan/Liam McLoughlin (Honda Civic)............25.35
17. Shane McCarthy/Derek Brannigan (Peugeot 106)...........25.41
18. Peter Kelly/Con Lucey (Escort 2.4).....................25.42
19. Willie McCarthy/Humphrey Deegan (Escort 2.0)...........25.45
20. James O'Sullivan/Bill Fitzgerald (Escort 1.6)..........25.53
Stuart Darcy takes Billy Coleman Award
Shortlisted for the inaugural Billy Coleman Award in 2000, twenty five year old Stuart Darcy from Killybegs, Co Donegal went one better this year to take the top award and a support package worth £25k.
Stuart began his rallying career in 1997 when he contested the Donegal Harvest Rally. His career began in earnest the following year when he contested the National Championship in which he took second place, a position he also filled in the Border Championship. He then went to work in the US with the intention of financing the 2000 season. The 2000 season was definitely his year.
Driving a Group N Honda Civic V-Tec Stuart and his co-driver Trevor Bustard won their class in all ten rallies. He was awarded the Brian McGrath Memorial Trophy.
Stuart planned to contest the Peugeot 106 SuperCup in 2001 but due to Foot and Mouth his outings were restricted. Nevertheless he continued to exhibit his 2000 form thus clinching the Billy Coleman Award.
Next year Stuart intends competing in the Dunlop National Championship, in as many rounds of the Tarmac International Championship as possible and also is taking in a number of rallies on the Continent.
Donegal Single Stage
The Milford Inn Hotel Single Stage Rally gets set this week-end for an early
Christmas present, with the popular venue for the 131 entry strong event,
talking one of Ireland's most demanding rally stage, over High Glen.
Crews will be given up to three timed runs over a stage known in
International circles as a classic, taking in such areas as Glen and
Derrylaghey.
Clerk of the Course for the event, Charlie Reid, said that, "this event has
proved very popular, and we have had to restrict the entries to 131 crews,
although the entry level was well in excess of 200 entries." Charlie added
that this is ,"unique for the event as there will be the measures taken to
prevent Foot & Mouth disease with a full disinfectant programme for the two
days, during Scrutiny on the Saturday and for the Spectators on the Sunday."
Releasing the top 10 for the event, he said that, "the event was the first
rally to be run in the county for 2001, after the Hillclimb, and hoped this
will be a signal for the return to normal MotorSport. The financial loss to
the county in the summer of 2001, with the Shell Donegal International, has
been felt in the area, and I hope this will in some small way contribute to
a much-needed monitory boost for Donegal towards the close of the year
Top Entries
1 Paul Harris/Eugene O'Donnell Subaru Impreza Sti
2 Davy Greer/TBA Toyota Corolla WRC
3 Ivan Stewart/Joe Friel Escort RS Cosworth
4 Trevor Cathers/Gordon Noble Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 5
5 Joe MacHugh/Dermot MacHugh Escort RS Cosowrth
6 Philip Shaw/Herbie Blackburn Escort 2.0
7 Cathal Rogers/Paul McLaughlin Subaru Impreza
8 Andrew Stewart/Fabian McShane Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6
9 Camillus Bradley/Danny O'Neill Peugeot 205
10 Eugene Ferry/John Gallagher Escort 2.0
11 John Cairns/James Cairns Subaru Impreza
12 Dessie Keenan/Laura Keenan Escort 2.4
14 Noel McCarrick/TBA Subaru Impreza
15 Rory Kennedy Kieran McFadden Mitsubishi Lancer
16 Paul Gallagher/Karl Reid Toyota Corolla 1.6
17 W.J. Dolan/Paul Goodman Subaru Impreza
18 Enda Keenan/Raymond Aughy Escort 2.4
19 Raymond Johnston/Ivan Fisher Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 5
Scrutiny will take place on the Saturday evening, 8th at Browne's Garage,
Milford, between 3p.m. and 7p.m.
The event will get under way on Sunday morning, with a familiarisation run
followed by three timed runs. The last stage is expected to take place in
the dark, adding an extra dimension to the driving skills of the drivers.
Internet users can log on to www.donegalmotorclub.com for information
relating to the event.