Meeke and Nagle to tackle big guns in new mini
Kris Meeke/Paul Nagle will campaign in one of the cars, the other car will be in the hands of Spanish pair Dani Sordo and Carlos del Barrio. How they will fare against the might of the Citroen DS3s of Sebastien Loeb and Sebastien Ogier and the Ford Fiestas of Mikko Hirvonen and Jari Matti Latvala, will be under the microscope.
“I have relatively recent experience as I was lucky enough last year to do this event when it was in the IRC and (I) also did the Rally Costa Smeralda on the island,” said Meeke.
“This is particularly good for me when going there in a new venture with a new rally car.
“We obviously have lots to learn about the WRC car. It is a tough rally to start out with the new car and will be a big test for the new team.”
Chris Patterson co-drives for Petter Solberg (Citroen) and further Irish representation is provided by Craig Breen and Alastair Fisher in the Academy series.
On the domestic front, Tim McNulty (Subaru WRC) seeks his third straight victory in the Dunlop National Rally Championship on Sunday’s Mount Wolseley Carlow Rally.
With strong wins in Abbeyleix and Monaghan, McNulty is the favourite and resumes battle with the Subaru WRC pair of Niall Maguire and Kevin Barrett and the Group N Subaru of Colm Murphy.
Former double winning Irish national rally champion, Stephen Murphy (1995 and 1996), who hasn’t competed since 2007, will drive the S11 Subaru WRC that Derek McGarrity drove to victory in the recent Circuit of Ireland Rally.
Dubliner, Robert Barrable in his Skoda Fabia S2000 could give McNulty the type of opposition he desires. Second on the Pirelli Rally last week, he will be back on tarmac, his preferred surface — the West Cork Rally winner finished third in Monaghan and is capable of improving that result.
Limerick’s, Colm Murphy (Subaru) aims to atone for his non-finish in Monaghan and based on his third placed performance in Abbeyleix is likely to split the WRC contingent.
The remainder of the top 10 features Dunmanway’s Liam McCarthy (Toyota Corolla WRC), Monaghan’s Sam Moffett (Mitsubishi), Donegal’s Stuart Darcy (Mitsubishi) and Monaghan’s Shane Maguire (Subaru).
British ace, Simon Mauger, is seeking a third straight victory in the Escort Mk 2 Challenge category but with the Carlow organisers now back in the national frame, the opposition in the category is at its highest. Gary McPhillips and Daniel McKenna could topple the British driver while further opposition is provided by Rodney Wilton, Trevor Mulligan, Adrian Hetherington and John Waring.
The first car away at 8.30am.
It’s also a busy weekend with tomorrow’s Tour of Sperrins Rally, the fourth round of the campaign. Series leader, Kenny McKinstry (Subaru WRC) is unlikely to compete while Derek McGarrity, could be a late entry, if so, he is more likely to drive his Mitsubishi Evo IX.
George Robinson (Subaru WRC) is the top seed followed by Neil McCance and Donagh Kelly.
The Manx National Rally starts this evening with Paul Bird (Ford Focus WRC), Mel Evans (Subaru WRC) and Dave Pattison (Mitsubishi) the top three seeds.
Cork racer, Matt Griffin competes in the first leg of the six-round FIA GT3 European Championship at the Portimao Circuit in Portugal this weekend.
Griffin has already raced in the British GT Championship and the new Blancpain Endurance Series. Qualifying takes place today with race one tomorrow and the second on Sunday.
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