Cork’s John McCarthy/Dan Maguire made an impressive start to the KBB Doors National Forest Championship with a dominant victory in the Suirway Lifts Carrick on Suir Forest Rally. Debuting a Subaru Impreza 555, they controlled the rally from the opening stage.

Cork driver John McCarthy, on his debut in the ex-Bertie Fisher Subaru 555 on the Carrick on Suir

THE Irish rallying championship season gets underway on Sunday against the backdrop of a strong statement from the sport’s governing body, Motorsport Ireland.

Victory in the Bio-Clear Killarney Forest Rally secured the KBB Doors National Forest Championship

Following his victory in the Windscreen Centre Cork Forest Rally, Eugene Donnelly (Toyota Celica) is the new leader of the KBB Doors National Forest Championship.

In the Windscreen Centre sponsored Cork Forest Rally, a counting round of the KBB Doors National Forest Championship, Eugene Donnelly and co-driver, Paul Nagle arrived at the service halt with a 19 second advantage over the Escort WRC of Dermot Kelly/John Brennan.

After the summer break the forestry season will recommence on Sunday September 8 with the Cork Forest Rally.

Robbie McGurk, from Omagh, driving a Group N Subaru, has set a cracking pace on the Willie Loughman Forest Rally.