One point separates Nesbitt from title
With his native county capturing the Sam Maguire, it’s a shade ironic that he needs just one point from the “20” to land the top prize in Irish rallying.
Nesbitt and his Cork co-driver, James O’Brien, in their Cuisine de France Subaru Ireland WRC have dominated Irish rallying. For most observers, the second title is a formality.
Nesbitt’s approach to the sport is equalled only by his results. Without doubt, he is the barometer of success. Although one point will be enough to wrap up the title, Nesbitt will not be adopting a different approach.
“Motivation has never been an issue for me. I like rallying and on the day, if we are successful, then that’s an added bonus,” he said.
Though Eamonn Boland is the only driver that can deny him the title, the Rochestown Park Hotel-based rally has attracted most of his customary opposition. Boland, Austin MacHale, Peadar Hurson, Donal O’Donovan, Melvyn Evans, Liam McCarthy, Maurice Gass, Ollie O’Donovan and Steve Fleck form the top ten in the capacity entry.
Boland has been consistent and cannot be far away from a first International victory. In contrast, Peadar Hurson (Toyota Celica) continues to entertain and match his rivals until unreliability or brief excursions ruin his efforts. Michael Barrable is a non-starter and he is replaced by Donal O’Donovan in his SDS-backed Toyota Celica ST185. The West Cork driver’s pace is without question, hopefully it will be complimented by reliability.
The reliability also applies to fellow Dunmanway driver Liam McCarthy (Toyota Corolla WRC). He has yet to find consistency that will actually allow him drive the car at full pace. Event sponsor Kieran Murphy, of Murphy Construction, calls the notes.
West Cork winner Melvyn Evans will use his Escort WRC and may find the stages in Millstreet/Macroom area a different proposition to those around Clonakilty. Another driver in a late switch of cars is Ollie O’Donovan, who reverts to his Subaru Impreza. Elsewhere, Tim McNulty debuts a Subaru WRC, and along with Johnny O’Sullivan (Escort WRC) and Kevin Barrett, is just outside the top ten.
Another interesting aspect is the Group N category, with Trevor Cathers (Mitsubishi), who has set the benchmark all season, providing the chase for Roy White, Bob Fowden and Aaron McHale (Mitsubishis) and the Subarus of Seamus Leonard and John O’Leary.
Martin Freestone (RS1600) heads the historic category, where Philip Wylie and Mervyn Johnston battle for the championship laurels. The rally also counts towards the 023 Tiles Southern 4, Ford Focus and Ford Ka Championships. Tim O’Donovan (Toyota Corolla) has the advantage in the former, with Hamilton Bell taking a one-point advantage over Oliver Stanley, Cathal O’Reilly and Colm Murphy in a fascinating Ford Focus series. Ford Ka leader Jerry Keyes will miss the final two rounds due to an accident; David Lyons and Kenneth Mulvaney could snatch the title in his absence.
Tomorrow’s stages are a double loop of Mushera, Mullaganish, Fuhiry and Lough Allua with servicing at the Green Glens Arena, Millstreet. On Sunday, the three stages (repeated twice) are near Killeagh in East Cork.
In the World Rally Championship, Marcus Gronholm (Peugeot) has a 23-point lead heading into the Propecia Rally New Zealand. He is likely to adopt a style that will suit his championship ambitions on an event where Britons Colin McRae (Ford) and Richard Burns (Peugeot) have always figured well. Last year, Burns won after an epic battle with the Scot, who bows out of the Blue Oval outfit at the end of the season.
Meanwhile, British Touring Car ace Phil Bennett is the guest driver for the final two rounds of the Fiat Punto Abarth series in Mondello Park on Sunday. Motorsport Ireland has issued its Safety Review Group Report albeit on its web site. The report was commissioned on foot of the accidents that occurred in rallying and hillclimbs earlier this year. The report was adopted by the Motorsport Commission at its meeting on September 19.
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