McNulty to sit out Raven’s Rock Rally

WHAT appeared to be a cracking entry for Sunday’s Kilkenny-based Suirway Farm Machinery Raven’s Rock Rally, the fifth round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship, has been decimated by a series of withdrawals.

Dunlop series leader Tim McNulty was forced out yesterday when it became clear that the engine of his Subaru WRC would not be ready in time.

Following his victory in last week’s Topaz Donegal International Rally that catapulted him into second place in the ITC — just four points off series leader Kevin Barrett, work needed to be carried out on the engine. However, early yesterday afternoon he received the news that it would not be completed until Tuesday next. Irrespective of what happens in Kilkenny, McNulty will still retain top spot in the Dunlop series.

The nine-stage event in Kilkenny marks the halfway point of the Dunlop series and is also the 40th anniversary of the Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club’s premier event.

Meanwhile, both Niall Maguire and Kevin Barrett had withdrawn their entries earlier in the week for different reasons. Speculation suggests that an entry from Darren Gass (Subaru WRC), that should have been a great coup for the organisers, is now unlikely to materialise. The Armagh driver won the Circuit of Kerry earlier this season.

Club member and WRC Academy ace Craig Breen is now the top seed. The Waterford driver, a former Billy Coleman Award winner, will revert to his Ford Fiesta S2000 rather than the Fiesta R2 car he has driven this season.

Not lacking in confidence in what is a hectic season, Breen is pleased to be competing on home territory.

He said: “The Raven’s Rock fits into my schedule and using the S2000 gives me the best opportunity to take top honours next Sunday. Last season I debuted the S2000 on Irish soil and also gave the car its maiden win on the International Rally Northern Ireland, it would be nice to add a maiden win on a National Championship round.”

Limerick’s Colm Murphy (Subaru) returns to the Dunlop fray and will be intent on embellishing his prospects in the Group N category.

After a consistent run, Dunmanway’s Liam McCarthy (Toyota Corolla WRC) is third overall — four points behind Robert Barrable, who is competing in Belgium. Limerick’s Ed O’Callaghan (Escort) is the leading Modified entry, while Lisburn’s Wesley Patterson is another late withdrawal.

Also amongst the original top 10 is local driver Eoin Doyle (Subaru WRC). Elsewhere, the Group N competition features Limerick’s Eamonn Daly and Welshman Sebastien Ling, both in Mitsubishi EvoIXs and Monaghan’s Shane Maguire (Subaru).

Clonmel’s Roy White is a late entry as are Rodney White (Sunbeam) and Brian O’Keeffe (Subaru). White will drive his MG S2000 after a lengthy absence from the sport and will be co-driven by Cork’s James O’Brien.

The quality of the modified entry is very sharp with Welshman Washington James (Darrian) facing the aforementioned O’Callaghan along with the Escorts of Sam Smyth, David Condell, Liam Howlett, Neil Williams, Frank Kelly and Shay Power.

Daniel Cronin, the younger brother of double British Rally Champion, Keith, competes in a Peugeot 206.

The ceremonial start takes place at High Street, Kilkenny tomorrow evening at 7pm while Sunday’s first of nine stages begin at 9.29am. Servicing after stages three and six is at Chancellors Mills, Freshford Road, Kilkenny. The finish at the Kilford Arms Hotel, Kilkenny is scheduled for 5pm.

Barrable (Skoda Fabia S2000) and Tommy Doyle (Renault Clio) are competing in Rally Ypres in Belgium, the fifth round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge series. Barrable is one of a record 12 Skoda Fabia S2000s entered for the event. Today’s opening leg consists of three stages.

Entries for the ALMC Rally (Sunday July 17) include last year’s winner Damien Cole (Ford Focus WRC) and fellow overseas ace Simon Mauger (Ford Escort). It will be a home event for Barrable (Skoda Fabia S2000) while his father, Michael will also compete.

The rally is a counting round of the Richard Egger Insurance MSA Asphalt Rally Championship.

Kildare’s Kevin O’Hara (21) has been selected as the Dunlop Young Racing Driver of the Month for May. He won a Formula Vee race in Kirkistown and also set a new class lap record at the County Down circuit.