Kelly and McCarthy look the hotshots
McCarthy made the perfect start in his Subaru 555 with a win in Carrick-on-Suir. Nevertheless, he is taking nothing for granted in the six-stage encounter.
"It was great to win in Carrick-on-Suir," McCarthy said. "However, the focus now switches to Mitchelstown and I know Dermot will be the driver that I really have to watch out for on Sunday."
It is interesting to note that while McCarthy had a relatively comfortable win in the opening round, his times for the stages also beat those set by rally winner Robbie McGurk in the 2002 event. It was McCarthy's first overall victory.
Kelly, a former national champion, has won this event three times. The Kilmallock driver's Escort WRC will have the benefit of a fully active transmission system.
"I know I cannot afford to let John (McCarthy) get away. There is no doubt he is a big threat," he remarked.
Behind the top duo is another former champion, Kevin O'Kane (Subaru WRC), Eddie Kinirons (Toyota Celica), who secured his best result by finishing second in the first round and John Donnelly (Escort WRC).
Local driver John Drislane makes his annual journey from the US to compete in forests of the region. He will drive a McKinstry Subaru.
The top Group N exponent is Clonmel's Kieran Molloy (Mitsubishi). He can expect a torrid time from the Subaru of John Shanahan. The top rear wheel drive contender Paul Staunton is also in the top 10, along with the Subaru Legacy of John McGaffin.
Others featuring in the entry are Peter McCullagh, Noel Driver, Ray Benskin and Denis Cronin, who will drive a Mk 2 Ford Escort.
The stage locations (repeated twice) are Cambaun, Kilworth and Ardpatrick. Service after the first loop is in the Galtee Meats complex. First car away from the town square is at 10.30 am and the finish, at the same location, is at 5.30 pm.
The British Rallycross Championship makes its annual foray to Ireland Nutts Corner tomorrow and Mondello Park on Sunday.
Series leader Will Gollop has a five-point lead over the similar Ford Focus WRC of Dermot Carnegie.
Lawrence Gibson (Metro), John McCluskey (Peugeot), Helmut Holfeld (Escort WRC) are among one of the strongest entries of recent times.
Carron, in Clare, is the venue for the first Hillclimb weekend of the year. Frank Byrnes holds the record for traversing the Scailp. His Reynard Opel Lotus stopped the clocks at 1:16.01. Competitors will be allowed three timed runs over the course after the 11.30 am practice each day.
The Premier Autoparts Autotest Championship begins on Sunday in Askeaton with the local Limerick club as host. Elsewhere, the ALMC Navigation Trial starts from Navan tomorrow at 9 pm.
Ordnance Survey Ireland and the Gleneagle Hotel were announced as co-sponsors of the International Rally of the Lakes next May 3-4.
The OSI have been associated with the Killarney event for almost a decade, while the Gleneagle Hotel's support spans nearly 25 years.
Speaking at the launch, earlier this week, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O'Donoghue said: "Over the years, the Rally of the Lakes has proved immensely popular with competitors. Killarney has long been regarded as one of Ireland's premier tourist destinations. It is renowned worldwide as a setting of breathtaking beauty and for its unrivalled ability to extend the warmest of Irish welcomes to those who are privileged to visit it. I am delighted that the rally will take place against such a striking backdrop."
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