Derek McGarrity heads Sperrins Rally challenge

Five-time Northern Ireland Rally champion Derek McGarrity S14 Subaru WRC heads the entry for tomorrow’s eight stage tarmac Ryan Bradley Memorial Tour of Sperrins Rally in Maghera, County Derry.

Opposition will come from several quarters including fellow Antrim driver Desi Henry in an S9 Subaru. The Portglenone man won last Monday’s sprint event at St Angelo in Enniskillen. The stages in the Sperrins with their notorious bumps and jumps will be a much tougher affair but Henry, who will have regular co-driver Millstreet’s Liam Moynihan back on the pace notes, will relish the encounter.

The rally is the fourth round of the McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Championship with McGarrity heading the standings. For Tyrone’s Paddy McVeigh it will present another opportunity to get to grips with the ex-Patrick Elliott S12B Subaru WRC. Scotland’s David Bogie will compete in his Ford Fiesta R5 that will have the +kit for the Sperrins.