Patterson wins race to partner Solberg

CHRIS PATTERSON (41) will be the new partner for Norwegian driver Petter Solberg in the World Rally Championship. Early last month, Phil Mills, Solberg’s regular co-driver, stepped down from his role with the flamboyant Norwegian, who has 152 WRC starts including 13 wins and one world title.

Antrim’s Patterson, a former Production Car World Rally Champion co-driver, was selected from a shortlist of three at a test in France last Tuesday. The duo begin their partnership on next week’s round of the WRC Rally Bulgaria. This weekend, they have planned a two-day test session in the Petter Solberg World Rally Team Citroen C4 WRC in Bulgaria.

Patterson has a wealth of experience and competed at the highest level some 17 years ago. Although his world title came with Nasser Al-Attiyah in 2006, he has co-driven for a host of top drivers, including the three McRaes, the late Colin, Jimmy and Alister; reigning IRC champion Kris Meeke, Niall McShea, Gwyndaf Evans, David Higgins, Derek McGarrity, John Gilleece, Niall Maguire and Mickey McArdle.

Just days after announcing the Dundalk-based North East Rally was going ahead, organisers have been forced to pull the plug on what was to have been their inaugural multi-stage rally due to a lack of entries. Already this season, two forest rallies and another one-day stage rally have fallen by the wayside for the very same reason.

This weekend’s, Tipperary Hillclimb double header has also been cancelled due to the lack of entries. There are too many events – especially in the current climate. Hopefully, when the 2011 calendar is agreed, it will be better spaced out and clashes of southern and northern events will also be avoided.

Former national champion, George Robinson is the top seed for Sunday’s Lough Neagh Stages at Moneyglass. Other entries include Derek McGeehan (Toyota Corolla WRC), James Gillen (Subaru WRC), John McGlaughlin (Mitsubishi Evo9) and Gary Jennings (Mitsubishi Evo 9). Keith McIvor (Porsche 911) heads the entry for tomorrow’s Loughgall Historic Rally Car Challenge.

Seeding for the Sligo Rally, the seventh round of the Dunlop National Championship, is due to be announced this evening. The event on Sunday week will again be based at the Sligo Park Hotel and top entries include the leading quartet in the series, Niall Maguire, Derek McGarrity, Melvyn Evans and Kevin Barrett, all in Subaru WRCs.

Craig Breen is in a race against time to have his Ford Fiesta S2000 ready for next week’s Rally Isle of Man, the latest round of the British Rally Championship. The Kilkenny man also contests Rally Finland at the end of the month.

Tim McNulty has entered the ALMC-organised City North Hotel on July 17/18. Defending champ, Michael Barrable (Ford Focus WRC) will also have PJ McDermott (Subaru WRC), Damien Cole (Ford Focus WRC), Mark Jasper (Metro 6R4) and Simon Mauger (Ford Escort) as opposition.

Rounds four and five of the Mondello Superbike Championship take place at the Kildare circuit on Sunday. The Fingal Motor Club has attracted a strong line-up – particularly in the main Superbike and Supersport classes. Brian McCormack and Marshal Neil, the stars of the first event, renew rivalry with Neil determined to break McCormack’s dominance that has seen him take three wins from three races.

Alongside the feature Superbike and Supersport classes, the remainder of the programme will be made up of Two Strokes, Pre ‘97, Lightweight Supersport, Supertwins and Sidecars. Each class will race twice with both races counting for championship points.

The Leinster Motor Club’s car races at Anglesey, Wales starts tomorrow at 2pm and Sunday at noon. The Skibbereen and District Car Club’s double header Grass Autocross at Kildara near Bandon begins at 3pm tomorrow and noon on Sunday.

Also on Sunday, the TDC multi venue Autotest at Beaulieu House, Drogheda starts at 9.30am; the IKC Kart Races at Kiltorcan, Ballyhale, Co. Kilkenny begin at 10am and the Mayo Autocross at Harrington’s Quarry, Swinford, starts at 10.30am.

The Cork Motor Fest at Corrin Mart facility near Fermoy on Sunday at noon features a display of modern, classic and sports vehicles, Formula 1 cars and various trade stands. A fundraiser for Marymount Hospice, admission for adults is €10, children U12 admitted free. The event is sponsored by Collectors Toys, Innishannon and Advanced Catering.