Breen set to reveal 2012 plans

WITH the announcement of the 2011 Billy Coleman Award winner just days away, some of its former incumbents are busily planning for next season even though one driver is being coy about his plans.

Waterford’s Craig Breen, who won the inaugural WRC Academy series in dramatic fashion, that guaranteed him a windfall worth €500,000 that he will use in the Super 2000 WRC, could also be very involved in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC), perhaps even driving a car other than his usual Ford Fiesta S2000.

The Irish Examiner understands a major announcement is imminent and will confirm Breen’s additional exploits in 2012. However, Breen himself, while aware of speculation (linking him with the Prodrive-prepared Mini and also to a Skoda Fabia S2000), only confirmed he will tackle the Circuit of Ireland, round three of the IRC series.

Meanwhile Robert Barrable, last year’s Coleman award winner, was more forthright. His plans are similar to last year — selective rounds of the IRC that will begin with the Circuit of Ireland. The Dubliner is currently in discussions with potential sponsors.

The 2005 Coleman award winner, Gareth MacHale was amongst a number of drivers invited by Citroen to test the DS3 after the Rally du Var in France last week. He has no firm plans for 2012. Former double British Rally champion, Keith Cronin (winner of the Coleman award in 2007) also tested the car, along with Northern Ireland’s Desi Henry and British driver Jason Pritchard. Although there are several strands to tomorrow’s Killarney Historic Rally, the Modified category is best represented and the main attraction within the 100-plus entry.

The event, that returns to its Killarney base after a tenure in Kenmare, will use the classic stages of Moll’s Gap, Beallaghbeama, Caragh Lakes and Gortnagane.

Galway’s Ray Cunningham (Mini Cooper S) is the top seed and one of just 11 seeded drivers from where the overall winner is determined. A former winner of the event, he will be the yardstick for the opposition that includes Fermanagh’s Mervyn Johnston, Meath’s John Newman (Triumph), Wicklow’s Aaron Tracey (Austin Cooper) and James O’Mahony (Volvo 144). Welsh driver, Tomas Davies (Ford Escort), seeded number two, is the top entry in the Post Historic section where Cork pair, Denis Moynihan and Mark Falvey, both in Mk 1 Ford Escorts, Tyrone’s Keith McIvor (Escort) and Conor Falvey (Porsche 911) provide opposition.

Newly-crowned Irish Forest champion Owen Murphy will drive a Hillman Avenger and British driver Philip Wylie (Ford Escort) competes in the same category.

Another overseas driver, Gareth Lloyd (Ford Escort RS1800) leads the Classic contingent with Kerrymen, Diarmuid Lynch and Todd Falvey, in a pair of Ford Escorts.

The entry in the modified section is intriguing and minus the odd exception, is comprised of Ford Escorts. Lisburn’s Wesley Patterson, Banteer’s Barry Meade, Donegal’s Martin McGee, Kerry duo Fergus O’Meara and Kevin O’Donoghue, Clonakilty’s Kevin Kelleher and Limerick’s Colm Murphy are the principals.

The opening stage at Moll’s Gap that gets underway at 8.30am will be followed by the tests at Beallaghbeama and Caragh Lake prior to the first of two service halts at the car park of the Gleneagle Hotel complex.

This scenario is repeated before the crews tackle the stage at Gortnagane — that is combined with a service halt at Rathmore — prior to the challenging night stage. The winners are expected to return to the Gleneagle Hotel finish ramp at 6pm.