Boyle hot on the wheels of McVeigh

In contrast to last year when Declan Boyle clinched the Dunlop National Rally Championship at the Clonmel-based Sepam Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally, the Donegal driver will journey to South Tipperary this weekend to keep his current title bid alive.

Last year he wrapped up the crown within the opening six rounds – five of which he won. Although he started this season in fine fashion with wins in Ballina and Tralee he missed the third round in Carlow as his championship-winning S12B Subaru WRC wasn’t re-fettled in time after crashing out of the lead in the Rally of the Lakes. His outing in the fourth round was blitzed with several problems and he failed to finish.

The Dunlop series is based on the best six results from eight events so, in essence, Boyle has now dropped his two rounds and must take significant points from the remaining four, including Sunday’s encounter in Clonmel to say in the hunt. He trails current leader, Paddy McVeigh, by 20 points – the latter has scored consistently in all four rounds to date.