Motorsport: Racing back on at Punchestown

Punchestown Racecourse is the venue for the first rally action since the foot-and-mouth restrictions.

Tomorrow’s Punchestown Rally Masters, the brainchild of well-known rally co-driver, Ronan Morgan, will feature four timed runs over a 2.4-mile course at the Co Kildare venue.

Some of the top names in Irish motorsport including the legendary Billy Coleman will participate.

Coleman will drive a Metro 6R4 for the first time in approximately 15 years. A plethora of Subaru World Rally Cars comprise most of the top ten - featuring drivers Andrew Nesbitt, Kenny McKinstry, Eamonn Boland and Daniel Doherty. Austin McHale will drive his former Toyota Celica ST185 with Frank Meagher (Ford Focus WRC) and the Subaru Imprezas of Niall Maguire and Paul Harris completing the top ten.

Derek McGarrity (Subaru) is another strong contender for victory amongst the selected 80 drivers that also include Frank O’Mahony (Escort F2), the Subarus of Ray Breen, Tim McNulty, Maurice Gass and the Escort WRC of Dominic McNeill. The action begins at 10.30am.