Gallagher ups title Challenge
The penultimate round of the 2002 Peugeot 206 Super
Cup takes place in France on the 4th, 5th and 6th of
October. The Championship is notorious for its
competitiveness and with only two rounds remaining
there is a three-way fight at the top of the table.
In the centre of that battle is Letterkenny driver
Shaun Gallagher competing in his Mullen Express
Transport and Pearse Road Tyres sponsored Peugeot 206.
The 22-year old is currently leading the championship
by nine points.
Shaun goes into this long and gruelling event coming
from three of the best drives of his career. He
finished 2nd on the Jim Clark Rally, the Quinton Rally
and the Ulster International Rally. These events
involved some of the tightest battles that the Peugeot
cup has ever witnessed with Shaun finishing runner up
in the Ulster Rally by less than a second. A win in
France will increase his lead substantially.
Following the torrential rain that hampered the
Ulster, Shaun is hoping for a dry rally that will make
tyre and car set up decisions much easier. He said "I
am really looking forward to the French event but yet
again tyre decisions will be crucial, a dry event
would make like simpler."
Le Touquet rally begins on Friday evening and will
finish on Sunday afternoon with the stages based
around the town of Le Touquet.
Donegal Harvest Rally
Donegal Motor Club has to-day announced initial details of the Harvest
Stages Rally planned for Sunday 20th October.
Originally planned for Saturday 19th October, Ireland's largest Motor
Club, had to re-schedule the one day event, after the Irish Cabinet
planned the Nice Referendum for the same week-end date.
Clerk of the Course, Leonard Wilson, commented, "I couldn't possibly have
perceived what was on the Ahern Government's mind, but I was quickly made
aware of the planned referendum by officials close to the Taoiseach's
office just after the meeting broke up in Glenveagh Castle. I was left
with no option but to change the date to Sunday(20th October), and wish to
thank MotorSport Ireland, who were having a special meeting in Dublin last
week. They gave the go-ahead for the date change."
Plans are well in hand for the 70 stage mile event, based in Buncrana. It
is planned to use stages in the Inishowen peninsula area. There will be
some challenging classic stages used, with some fresh roads over some of
the most spectacular routes overlooking the Lough Swilly area. Regulations
have already been sent out, with a planned entry of 151 crews. Interest in
the event is intense, and with just three weeks until the first car
starts, the organisers are expecting a top entry, as the event will be a
round of the Border Championship, a National Tarmac series, and the
Donegal Motor Club Oil Burner Trading Club Championship.
Mr. Wilson added that, "Buncrana and the Inishowen Gateway Hotel, are
looking forward to the event, and would have been disappointed if the
planned week-end had to be cancelled. The Hotel was very good at
rescheduling their plans for us, on the Sunday date.
We are very aware of Sunday and the church services, so it has been
arranged for the event to start after mid-day, to avoid any disruption for
the residents of Buncrana and district."
Niall Driver takes Birr Forestry win
Niall Driver partnered by Francis Corrigan as always took their Mitsubishi Evo 6 to its first win today in the Birr Forestry Rally based around Templemore.
Eugene Donnelly was one of the few retirements on this event.
Top 6 Finishers:
1 Niall Driver/Francis Corrigan (Lancer Evo 6) 33m 50s,
2 Eddie Kinirons/Greg Shinnors (Celica) 33m 52s,
3 John Donnelly/Greg McCarthy (Escort WRC) 33m 54s,
4 James Murphy/Con Mulcahy (Escort Cosworth) 34m 04s,
5 Paul Staunton/Bruce Burgess (Escort) 34m 12s,
6 Noel Driver/Denis O'Donovan (Escort Cosworth) 35m 59s....
New Zealand Preview
Just two weeks after the last event in Italy, round 12 of the FIA
World Rally Championship starts next week, as teams cross the globe to
contest Rally New Zealand. 81 cars are expected to compete in this
year's event, which will begin with a ceremonial start at 1915hrs on
Thursday 3 October in the host city of Auckland.
Famed for its popular loose-surface, gravel stages, which run through
lush countryside, this year's Propecia Rally New Zealand will no
doubt, once again, offer a tantalisingly close battle for victory.
Last year, after a total of 381.45 competitive km, the top five
drivers were separated by less than a minute.
Previously covering both the North and South Islands, Rally New
Zealand now takes place in a more concentrated area around Auckland on
the North Island. The event comprises 26 special stages and covers 414
competitive kilometres - including the huge 59km Parahi test on Leg 2.
Rally HQ is situated at the famous Sky City complex which, measuring
in at 168 metres, is the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere.
In 2001 Propecia Rally New Zealand was named the FIA Rally of the
Year, jointly with the Swedish Rally. The award was presented by all
the FIA registered teams in recognition of the high standards of the
rally and its popularity with the drivers.
With just three events remaining this season, the drivers'
championship is promising a thrilling climax with Marcus Gronholm,
Richard Burns, Colin McRae and Gilles Panizzi all remaining in
contention for the 2002 crown.
Following its world crowns in 2000 and 2001, Peugeot Sport is this year enjoying another tremendous run and the Sanremo Rally, eleventh of the 2002 calendar's fourteen rounds, provided the team with its seventh WRC one-two finish of the season. This result gives it a 45-point lead over Ford in the Manufacturers' championship while its drivers are also flying the flag high in the Drivers' series. With three rounds to go, Marcus Grönholm figures in a strong position at the top of the provisional standings with a 23-point advantage over… his own team-mate Richard Burns.
Peugeot Sport goes into the final phase of the season with its confidence and ambitions as high as ever. The next encounter takes in the celebrated stages of New Zealand where the French outfit will be looking to make well and truly sure of the 2002 Manufacturers' title. The three drivers nominated to drive the factory 206 WRCs are Marcus Grönholm, who won here in 2000, Richard Burns, winner in 1996 and 2001, and Harri Rovanperä, who finished on the podium a little over twelve months ago. Gilles Panizzi, currently fourth in the Drivers' championship thanks to his excellent asphalt performances, will drive a fourth 206 WRC prepared by Bozian.
The New Zealand Rally is unique. Its beckoning, fast and flowing gravel roads place the accent on pure performance and driver skill and the only potential blot on this otherwise idyllic landscape concerns the influence that stage start orders may have during the opening leg. Currently first and second in the provisional championship standings, Marcus Grönholm and Richard Burns will be first on the road this year and will therefore face the task of sweeping the tracks clear of their loose top-layer for those further down the running order. "This is effectively an important consideration," confirms Peugeot Sport Director Corrado Provera. "However, we will also be able to count on Harri Rovanperä who will start a bit further back. In any case, we have every intention of doing our absolute best to secure the Manufacturers' title as soon as possible. Although nothing is yet mathematically certain, we are in a strong position and we are also on target for a top result in the Drivers' championship…"
Trackrod Rally Report
The 7th and deciding round of the Pirelli British Rally Championship, the Trackrod Rally -Yorkshire began this morning with just 3 points separating Peugeot 206 Super 1600 Works Driver Justin Dale and Toyota driver, Jonny Milner.
Although the roads were dry and dusty, the half mile stage almost claimed both Peugeot Super 1600 competitors. Official works driver Justin Dale commented; "The first corner was surprisingly slippy, I nearly had an overshoot." Teammate Rory Galligan described the same corner as "fun" complaining that the dust was hanging in the air.
Stage 2 provided the first real test of the rally with eleven miles through Givendale, but Justin Dale's hopes of taking the Championship title ended in bitter disappointment when he stopped half way through the stage with engine failure.
Dale commented; " The annoying thing is I really think we could have won today taking the treble. It's very frustrating but we didn't expect to be in this position at this round so it was always going to be a bonus to win here."
Galligan meanwhile was entertaining the crowd in the famous Woodyard with a slight off, having to scrabble to regain the road.
Galligan continued the show on Stage 4, Cropton, when he hit a few posts directly in front of spectators. The seven mile Gale Rigg stage which followed was reported as a lovely stage, which unfortunately is not being repeated.
Stage 6 was a rerun of the Pickering Showground and this time proved uneventful. Galligan had not relaxed after the lunch time service halt where he was placed third overall in the Super 1600 Category and after Stage 7, a rerun of Givendale, he set a time a full 27 seconds faster than his first run.
Galligan overnight holds third in the Super 1600 category in front of Ford's Kris Meeke. He commented; "It's been very close this afternoon, everyone is pushing hard and I'm looking to close the gap even further tomorrow."
On the second day of the 7th round of the Pirelli British Rally Championship, the Trackrod Rally –Yorkshire, Peugeot 206 Super 1600 Works Driver Rory Galligan showed impressive stage times after a frustrating opening stage, Langdale 1, when he was seven seconds off the pace. However, he set a storming pace on Stage 10, the second stage of the day, setting fastest time.
Stage 11 was a repeat of yesterday's Pickering Showground stage, where Galligan again set joint fastest time with Super 1600 Category leader Gwyndaf Evans in the MG, and narrowing the overall gap to just 1 second behind Guy Wilks in his Ford Puma in second place.
Stage 12 began well; the weather was dry and still, perfect for Galligan's 206. The stage was not to be though when early into the 6 mile forest of Staindale, Galligan was forced to retire with mechanical problems.
Galligan commented; "It is frustrating not to have finished as I was on the pace this afternoon and enjoying the dry gravel stages. I am looking forward to The Michelin Tempest Rally now in October when Justin and I can have our final attack of the season."
Peugeot Motorsport Manager, Mick Linford commented; "Of course it's annoying to have both cars not finish this rally, particularly when they were both putting in class leading times before they were forced to retire. Having already secured the Super 1600 Championship and Manufacturers' Championship gives me a lot of satisfaction however, as we have achieved what we set out to achieve at the beginning of the year."
Following Dales retirement Jonny Milner and Nicky Beech are the 2002 British Rally Champions!
Top 10 Results:
1. J. Milner / N. Beech Toyota Corolla WRC 1hr 39mins 37.1secs
2. J. Reynolds / I. Thomas Subaru Impreza 1hr 41mins 21.7secs
3. S. Petch / J. Richardson Hyundai Accent WRC 1hr 41mins 27.2secs
4. G. Evans / C. Patterson MG ZR 1hr 45mins 50.2secs
5. N. Heath / S. Lancaster Subaru Impreza WRC 1hr 46mins 36.3secs
6. G. Wilks / R. Herron Ford Puma 1hr 46mins 36.7secs
7. K. Meeke / G. Patterson Ford Puma 1hr 47mins 05.7secs
8. P. Morgan / M. Douglas Subaru Impreza (N) 1hr 48mins 06.6secs
9. J. Nolan / P. Nolan Mitsubishi Lancer 1hr 49mins 17.1secs
10. G. Smith / A. Juniper Mitsubishi Lancer 1hr 49mins 48.7secs
"McGurk wins Bushwacker Rally."
Robbie McGurk and Tony Kearns have won the Bushwhacker Rally after a
thrilling battle with Derek McGarrity and James McKee which went right down
to the wire. Both men went into the final stage on the same time but McGurk
set fastest time by three seconds from the Glengormley man. Second position
is enough to secure McGarrity's first N.I. Championship title.
Stephen
Whitford was the only man who could catch him going into the Bushwhacker
Rally but transmission problems put paid to any championship dreams. For the
first time in a few years, the championship title has been decided before the
final round has been completed.
Top Six Finishers:
1. R. McGurk / T. Kearns Subaru Impreza WRC
2. D. McGarrity / J. McKee Subaru Impreza 555 +3 secs
3. J. Gillen / V. Carrothers Ford Escort Cosworth +33 secs
4. C. Donnelly / J. P. Conway Toyota Celica +59 secs 5.
G. Allen / A. Johnston Ford Escort WRC +63 secs
6. R. Mason / P. Martin Subaru Impreza (N) +151 secs
Thanks to Jonathan
Cork 20 Latest Update
The Murphy Construction Cork "20" International Rally, the penultimate round
of the Toshiba Computers Irish Tarmac Championship swings into action on
Saturday morning (October 5th.) with top seed and championship leader,
Andrew Nesbitt ready to clinch the title.
Organised by the Munster Motor Cycle and Car Club, the "20"as its
affectionately known, has a capacity and cracking entry that will be tested
over the 14 special stages of the two day event.
Nesbitt needs just a solitary point to claim his second title in three years
as he seeks another outright win in a round of the Tarmac series. The
Armagh driver has dominated the series with victories on the Circuit of
Ireland, Rally of the Lakes, Jim Clark and Ulster Rally along with second in
the Manx (first in championship terms).
Only Eamonn Boland can prevent Nesbitt from gaining his second tarmac crown,
however, he must win both the Cork "20" and West 2002 rallies to achieve
this virtually impossible goal, especially when one considers Nesbitt's
form.
Nesbitt will be the first car away from the County Hall early on Saturday
morning where he will be followed by Boland and five times Irish Tarmac
Champion, Austin MacHale. MacHale has won the Cork "20" on four separate
occasions, but it's been twelve years since his last success. The Rathcoole
driver will be hoping that his Toyota Corolla WRC will be in top shape for
his latest encounter.
Peadar Hurson (Toyota Celica) continues to be a revelation, although the
Warrenpoint driver has made several early exits from a number of the
championship rounds. Michael Barrable, a winner of the Tipperary
Stonethrowers and Galway Summer rallies, was an early retirement in the
recent Clare Rally with a blown turbo. He was sixth in the Rally Masters in
Punchestown and will be expected to be within the top five in the Cork "20".
Welshman, Mel Evans is the first of the overseas contingent, Evans who won
the West Cork Rally earlier this year, reverts to his Escort WRC rather than
his most recent Subaru.
Local man, Liam McCarthy, with event sponsor, Kieran Murphy calling the pace
notes, occupies the number seven berth. McCarthy is still trying to attain
a level of consistency from his car. The top ten also features Maurice Gass
(Subaru WRC), Ollie O'Donovan (Hyundai Accent WRC) and Steve Fleck (Subaru
WRC).
O'Donovan debuted the Hyundai in Clare juts two weeks ago and finished
fifth, he continues his acclimatization in Cork. Tim NcNulty will drive a
Derek McGarrity prepared Subaru WRC and is duly seeded at eleven ahead of
outgoing Southern 4 champion, Johnny O'Sullivan (Escort WRC). Although
seeded, Hugh Dunne is a non-starter. Others in the top twenty are Kevin
Barrett and Barry Coleman in Subaru's. They sandwich the Group N contingent
of Trevor Cathers (Mitsubishi), Seamus Leonard (Subaru), Roy White and Bob
Fowden in Mitsubishis. Cathers has a strong lead in the showroom category
with just four points separating White and Leonard. Gerry McVeigh, Aaron
McHale, Nigel Hicklin, Dick Curran and local Cork driver, John O'Leary add
further interest in the same category. MacHale is the new Group N national
champion.
The Murphy Construction Cork "20" International Rally is a counting round
of:
The Toshiba Computers Irish Tarmac Championships.
The Ford Ka Championship.
The 023 Tiles Southern 4 Championship.
The Ford Focus Championship.
Top Twenthy:
1 Andrew Nesbitt James O'Brien Armagh Subaru Impreza WRC
2 Eamonn Boland Damien Morrissey Wexford Subaru Impreza WRC
3 Austin McHale Brian Murphy Dublin Toyota Corolla WRC
4 Peadar Hurson Ian Porter Warrenpoint Toyota Celica GT4
5 Michael Barrable Dermot O'Gorman Dublin Subaru Impreza WRC
6 Melvyn Evans Marc Jones Wales Subaru Impreza A8
7 Liam McCarthy Kieran Murphy Cork Toyota Corolla WRC
8 Maurice Gass Geoffrey Orr Armagh Subaru Impreza WRC
9 Ollie O'Donovan David Moynihan London Hyundai Accent WRC
10 Steve Fleck Mark Aspinnall England Subaru Impreza WRC
11 Tim McNulty Anthony Nestor Meath Subaru Impreza WRC
12 Johnny O'Sullivan Pat Cashman Killarney Ford Escort WRC
14 Hugh Dunne TBA Kildare Subaru Impreza WRC
15 Kevin Barrett Paul Goodman Maynooth Subaru Impreza WRC
16 Trevor Cathers Dessie Wilson Co. Tyrone Mitsubishi Evo5 N
17 Roy White Greg Shinnors Tipperary Mitsubishi Evo7 N
18 Seamus Leonard Kevin O'Brien Co. Tyrone Subaru Impreza N
19 Bob Fowden Gerry Hynes Wales Mitsubishi Evo5 N
20 Barry Coleman T.B.A. Cork Subaru Impreza
Thanks to Gareth McKay<BR>
DUNLOP NATIONAL RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP 2002
Results After Round 9 - Clare Stages Rally - 22/9/02
OVERALL POSITIONS
Posn Driver Points Posn Navigator Points
1 Niall Maguire 158 1 Paul McLaughlin 158
2 Patrick Elliot 120 2 Sean Moriarty 120
3 Sean Gallagher 92 3 Herbie Blackburn 91
4 David Armstrong 88 4 Liam Costello 77
5 James McCann 66 5 Paul McCann 67
6 Michael Barrable 58 6 John Loughran 59
7 Aaron Mac Hale 58 7 Dermot O'Gorman 58
8 Mac McKenna 52 8 Damien Connolly 49
9 Thomas Randles 42 9 Diarmuid Lynch 44
10 Joe Mac Hugh 39 10 Noel Hall 35
3 – 1 CHANCE OF BORDER TITLE GOING TO MONAGHAN
After the Sligo Stages Rally, the fifth and penultimate Round of the 2002 Border Championship (sponsored by the Four Seasons Hotel, Monaghan), there is a three to one chance that this season's title will go to a County Monaghan based crew. But in reality, the final resting place of the Derryveagh Crystal Perpetual Trophy will not be decided until the last Round at the Donegal Harvest Rally.
"In any season no competitor gets a clear run at the Championship and wins the title easily. This year is no exception," says John Duffy, Border Series Registrar. He continues: "Former Border Champions Trevor Lancashire and Noel Hall have achieved Class wins in the first four Rounds, but a decision by navigator Noel to investigate an alternative farming enterprise e.g. Free range chickens on Special Stage Three in Sligo could cost them dearly at the season end, regarding the destination of the Border Championship. Hopefully, the Monaghan duo will have learned something while extracting the car from the chicken pen! Despite losing 20 minutes trying to get