McHale gets big chance in Lakes rally

CONTAINING some of the most daunting stages in Irish rallying, this weekend’s Ordnance Survey Ireland/ Gleneagle Hotel co-sponsored Killarney International Rally of the Lakes, has several potential winners.

Recent Circuit of Ireland winner, Derek McGarrity starts favourite, especially after top seed, Andrew Nesbitt withdrew. That leaves Austin MacHale as the first car over the famous Moll's Gap early tomorrow.

Third in the Circuit and twelfth in the Pirelli International Rally, more will be expected of MacHale in Killarney, where his last victory was 1997. His Sanyo Subaru has been fitted with a new engine and that should give him an opportunity.