MacHale in Focus

Five times Irish tarmac rally champion, Austin MacHale has acquired a Ford Focus WRC03.

The Dubliner, who has 19 International rally victories to his credit, will campaign an M-Sport car – the one driven by Frenchman, Francois Duval in last year's rally GB, the final round of the World Rally Championship.

MacHale is one of just two privateers in the world that will pilot an M-Sport car and his Irish championship assault will have the assistance from the British-based team.

The Dubliner began his rallying career some 25 years ago in a Ford Anglia and in a successful career, he moved to Opel, BMW, Toyota and Subaru.

Last year, driving a Subaru WRC, he was runner up in the British Championship and third in the Irish series.

Title sponsors Sanyo Air Conditioners join long-term supporters Pirelli, Tom Hogan Motors and Cavan Developments along with Team PR Reilly and Electrical Engineering group ABB.

His first taste of competitive action in the Pirelli Irish Tarmac Championship will be in next week’s

Galway International Rally.

Galway’s, J.J. Fleming has acquired McHale’s S9 Subaru and will also compete in Galway where there’s a late entry from Finland’s, Tapio Laukkanen, a former British Rally champion.

Meanwhile, Cork driver, John McCarthy will drive the ex-Austin MacHale Toyota Corolla WRC in both the Dunlop National Rally Championship and the Irish Forest Rally championship.