Cronin facing uncertain future on rally circuit

DOUBLE British Rally Champion Keith Cronin has shelved his progress to the next level of the sport due to a lack of opportunities.

It was envisaged that he would step up to either the Intercontinental Rally Challenge series or the World Rally Championship for the forthcoming season. The Ballylickey driver did have two outings in the IRC with the Proton Satria S2000 during the season just ended but failed to finish either event. Having seen the Peugeot UK and Skoda UK drives going to Briton Guy Wilks and Norway’s Andreas Mikkelsen respectively, Cronin feels that his career is best served by taking time out for the moment.

Currently on a break in Australia, the Cork ace will return home before Christmas. In the meantime his 2009 Championship winning Mitsubishi Evo9 remains up for sale.

While there is no denying his terrific talent, it is not sufficient for IRC or WRC. Realistically, funding for that next level is way beyond the type generated for his first BRC victory.

It also seems the demands of his supporters club have also taken a toll on the young Cork ace, who may well benefit from his break. The harsh reality is that talent is not enough in the ultra competitive world of IRC and WRC, despite the best efforts of what essentially is a local team. Cronin is in real need of a high profile manager to assist him on his journey to the next level, but that also requires finance.

The winner of the 2010 Billy Coleman Award will be announced today. The candidates are Robert Barrable, Michael Carbin, Ian Downey, Damien McCarthy, Darren McKenna, Kevin O’Connor and Mark Wedlock were interviewed on Tuesday last.

Meanwhile, former Motorsport Ireland president, John Naylor has secured a seat on the FIA Historic Committee for 2011 and 2012.

Meanwhile, the Welsh crew of Mel Evans and Patrick Walsh will receive the Vard Memorial Trophy at the presentation of awards for the 2010 Dunlop National Rally Championship at the Clayton Hotel, Galway tomorrow night.

They are the first crew outside of Ireland to win the series. The other principal award winners are Sean Flanagan/Brian Duggan, who won the Patterson’s RallyNews Group N award and brothers Declan and Brian Boyle, who won the rally.ie award as the top Modified crew.

The Motorsport Ireland National Rallycross Championship reaches the mid-season break with Sunday’s, County Kildare Motor Club’s fourth round of the series at Mondello Park. Reigning champion Tommy Graham is the man to beat as he has taken maximum scores on two of the three rounds to date. On board his all-traction Ford Fiesta Supercar, Graham renews his rivalry with Mullingar’s George Tracey (Citroen Xsara WRC), who won last time. Andy Scott (Ford Focus WRC) is amongst the Supercar entry.

There are also races for the two-wheel drive modified cars, Stockhatch, Rallycar and Junior classes. Practice begins at 9.15am, heats from 10.15am and the first of the finals starting at 3.30pm.

Other weekend events include tomorrow’s TDC Autotest at Mondello Park. On Sunday the Cavan club host a loose surface Autocross at the club’s complex at Latton Quarry near Cootehill and the Cork club host a 4x4 Production Vehicle Trial at Rockgrove, Coachford.

Killarney and District Motor Club have announced that they have been granted permission for the inclusion of an additional class for their Kenmare Historic Rally on December 5th.

The class will cater for Vauxhall Chevette, HS & HSR, Opel Ascona 400 & Opel Manta 400, the cars will compete in Class 25 and will only be eligible for class awards.

Next season’s Dulux Trade British Rally Championship features a number of new features for two-wheel drive competitors, teams and manufacturers. Two of the three British titles in the series will be allocated to these classes of cars, a two-wheel drive only and Teams’ Championship.

The new Formula 2 Rally Championship will be open to all two-wheel drive cars and will adopt the same scoring system as the overall series, they will run at the front of the four-wheel drive entry on the gravel events, while the four-wheel drive cars will stay at the front on tarmac events.

Meanwhile, Pirelli will continue to support the Star Driver competition in 2011. However, the seven event nominations will come from the two-wheel drive cars only. One driver from the four wheel drive category will be selected from both gravel and tarmac events.