Motorsport: Cronin wary of Fisher threat in tricky Ulster Rally

As the Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Tarmac Championship and the British Rally Championship coincide on the John Mulholland Motors Ulster Rally that begins from Derry city this afternoon, the Irish series is more delicately poised.

A six-point margin covers the top five drivers while the corresponding margin in the BRC is a whopping 39 points between just two drivers as both championships reach their penultimate stage.

In the ITC, Tyrone’s Alistair Fisher and Monaghan’s Sam Moffett in Fiesta R5’s share the lead with Cork’s Keith Cronin within touching distance – 4.5 points behind and Monaghan’s Stephen Wright and Josh Moffett a mere 1.5 points further behind. Cronin is targeting a top two finish and identified Fisher as his most potent rival. The rally will be virtually new terrain for the contenders but this will not faze the Ballylickey driver. “Yes, Donegal was fairly new to me and I did fine there. I looked at the DVD of the stages it would appear they are not as smooth as one would expect. The stages in the Sperrins region are choppy and bumpy and there are dips, so that will be a challenge, they also appear to be narrow and tricky. Alastair (Fisher) will be the one to watch again but Sam (Moffett) will also be thereabouts.”