Meeke and Nagle seek winning farewell
The Irish duo hope to make it a memorable occasion before undertaking a new challenge with Prodrive and the Mini Countryman in the World Rally Championship.
Meeke/Nagle (Peugeot 207 S2000) won the IRC in style last year and also dominated the inaugural Rally Scotland but were excluded on a technicality. This evening’s two stages, a mixture of gravel and asphalt, through the grounds of Scone Palace near Perth, are the prelude to ten very demanding stages spread over the weekend. The Tyrone/Kerry pair will be joined by the Irish trio of Keith Cronin (Proton Satria S2000) and Mitsubishi pair, Daniel Barry and Eamonn Boland. For Cronin, it is an opportunity to showcase his talent as he ponders his next move either in the IRC or the WRC. Tonight’s two stages begin at 8.10pm and 8.30pm.
In a bid to re-ignite his efforts to win the French Citroen Racing Trophy, Derry driver, Marty McCormack (Citroen C2R2) contests this weekend’s Rallye d’Antibes. He will be co-driven by Cork’s, Liam Moynihan.
On the domestic front, the National Navigation Trial Championship begins at Maudabawn, Cootehill, Cavan tomorrow night while the MEC Sporting Trial is set for Cross Chapel near Blessington at noon.
Having made a perfect start to his Irish Rallycross Championship title defence — securing maximum points in Pembrey on Sunday — Tommy Graham (Ford Fiesta) bids to continue that trend at Sunday’s second round in Mondello Park. The Connacht Autocross at Hazelwood, Sligo is scheduled to start at 11am.
The top 10 for next week’s West Cork Hotel Fastnet Rally, the final round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship is as follows: 1. Denis Cronin/Helen O’Sullivan (Subaru WRC); 2. Mel Evans/Patrick Walsh (Subaru WRC); 3. Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Subaru WRC); 4. Daragh O’Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru WRC); 5. Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Toyota Corolla WRC); 6. Kevin Kelleher/Charlie McEnery (Mitsubishi); 7. James Belton/TBA (Subaru WRC); 8. Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Ford Escort); 9. Ed O’Callaghan/Ger Clancy (Ford Escort); 10. Brian O’Mahony/John Higgins (Renault Clio S1600).
In addition, the eight stage Skibbereen-based event is also the deciding round of the Southern 4 Rally Championship and a round of the TMC Windows Skibbereen & District Car Club Championship. Five Irish drivers are amongst the nine finalists for the Pirelli Star Driver final. Craig Breen, Daniel McKenna, Alastair Fisher, Jonny Greer and Robert Barrable, are joined by Jarkko Nikara, Elfyn Evans, Mikko Pajunen and Tom Clark in the hunt for honours.
There is still no solution to the dilemma that sees next year’s Circuit of Ireland and Rally of the Lakes, both rounds of the Citroen Irish Tarmac Championship due to take place within a week of each other. The situation is further exacerbated by the date of the Pirelli International in Britain (that clashes with the Killarney event) and the return of the Jim Clark International to the ITC, a move that hasn’t found favour (due to costs) with the ITC regulars.
Meanwhile, Motorsport Ireland president, Joe Corcoran says all the nominations for the extended committee that will complete a “root and branch review” of Irish Motorsport, are in place and hopes the first meeting will be held on October 27.
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