Over terrain that will be relatively familiar, Keith Cronin knows that any advantage he can accrue over Frenchman, Sebastien Chardonnet will be a bonus as they go head to head for the most lucrative prize within the WRC3 feeder category of the World Rally Championship.

IN his first full season in Irish rallying’s Group N showroom category, Monaghan’s Shane Maguire has already learned some salutary lessons.

Jari-Matti Latvala maintained his lead at the end of the second day of the Wales Rally GB today despite allowing world champion Sebastian Loeb to claw back valuable time over the closing stages.

Ford’s Jari-Matti Latvala held a 12.9-second lead at the end of an action-packed opening day of the Wales Rally GB, as hail, sleet, ice and torrential rain caused major problems for the World Rally Championship fraternity.

SAFETY is paramount in any sport, but particularly in motorsport. From the start of next season, the HANS device will be compulsory in Irish rallying.

Sebastien Loeb described his fourth consecutive World Rally Championship drivers’ title as his “hardest battle”.

Sebastien Loeb has secured his fourth consecutive World Rally Championship drivers’ title with a third-place finish in the final race of the season, the Wales Rally GB.

Sebastien Loeb begins tomorrow’s final day of the Wales Rally GB on the verge of his fourth successive World Rally Championship title.

Sebastien Loeb admits it will not be easy to adopt a cautious approach as he attempts to secure a fourth successive World Rally Championship in Wales Rally GB.

Malcolm Wilson had a double reason to glow with pride after the Wales Rally GB.

Marcus Gronholm gave Ford their first victory in the British forests for 27 years today as he became the most successful Finnish world rally driver of all time.

Petter Solberg’s hopes of a fifth consecutive Wales Rally GB victory suffered a major blow today.

Colin McRae admits he is keen to return to the world championship full-time after sampling a one-off comeback in Wales Rally GB.

SEBASTIEN LOEB may have moved to within touching distance of the world championship but the champagne remained untouched as rallying paid its respects to Michael Park, who was killed on Wales Rally GB yesterday.

Englishman Michael Park, co-driver of Markko Martin, has been killed in an accident during stage 15 of Wales Rally GB.

Stage 15 of the Wales Rally GB was halted this morning after a “serious incident” involving Markko Martin.

World champion elect Sebastien Loeb is cruising towards his first Wales Rally GB win after nearest rival Petter Solberg admitted he is powerless to match the Frenchman’s relentless pace.

Skoda hope Colin McRae’s appearance in Wales Rally GB this weekend can help secure their future for next season, when they want the Scotsman to lead their challenge.

Sebastian Loeb claimed victory in the OMV ADAC Rally in Germany to move a step closer to defending his World Rally Championship title.

Colin McRae will return to the Wales Rally GB next month and be joined by his former co-driver Nicky Grist as part of the Skoda team.

Former world rally champion Richard Burns today underwent a “very successful” operation as part of his recovery from a brain tumour.

Citroen’s Sebastien Loeb hopes his luck will hold as he closes in on his first world rally title.

Petter Solberg snatched victory from Sebastien Loeb on the final full stage of the Wales Rally GB to keep his slim world title hopes alive.

Sebastien Loeb tightened his grip on the Wales Rally GB with a controlled display this morning.

Ford’s future in the world rally championship remains in doubt as the team prepare to race in the Wales Rally GB this weekend.

Former World Rally champion Richard Burns has revealed he is “feeling a lot better” as he continues his treatment for a brain tumour which saw him confined to hospital for several weeks.

Former World Rally Champion Richard Burns has revealed he is “feeling a lot better” as he continues his treatment for a brain tumour which saw him confined to hospital for several weeks.

Former World Rally champion Richard Burns has thanked his fans for their continued support as he continues his battle against a brain tumour.

BASED on previous performances, Dessie Nutt is the obvious favourite in Sunday’s Killarney Historic Rally.

NOT content to rest on his laurels, Eugene Donnelly has already completed a deal that will see the 36-year-old Derry ace drive a Toyota Corolla WRC in next season’s Irish Tarmac Championship.

Two Irish crews finished the Wales Rally GB, the final round of the World Rally Championship.