Pat O'Connell gears up for Moonraker Rally

The Valvoline Irish Forest Rally Championship resumes tomorrow with the Abbey Hotel Munster Moonraker Rally in Ballyvourney, where former champion Pat O’Connell (Mitsubishi Evo IX) heads the biggest entry in a round of the series in recent years.

Ninety crews line up in this second round of the championship to provide a timely boost for the hosts, the Munster Car Club. Ironically, Cashel ace O’Connell, who won the title in 2010, had initially decided to concentrate on this year’s Triton Showers National Rally Championship.

However, he crashed on the opening round in Mayo and his car wasn’t re-fettled for the second round in Tralee some two weeks ago. A decision to continue with the Valvoline campaign will only be made after tomorrow’s eight-stage rally, where he will have strong opposition including late entries from Antrim’s Desi Henry (Skoda Fabia R5) and Monaghan’s Josh Moffett (Ford Fiesta R5).