O’Shea aims for Kerry repeat

REVIVED just three years ago, tomorrow’s Tyre Stop Kerry Rallysprint has already found a perfect niche in the motorsport calendar.

Based at the Tralee Racecourse that provides a track with a suitable mix of gravel and tarmac surfaces, the event has attracted competitors from both the Irish tarmac scene and the Forest series. Defending champion Vincent O’Shea (Escort Cosworth) will have plenty of opposition, all well capable of taking his crown. The Kerry driver made a quick exit from the Circuit of Munster earlier last month and has won a race against time to have the car ready for his home event. Former Irish Forest champion, Tipperary’s Pat O’Connell will use his championship winning Mitsubishi Evo9 and will certainly pose a major threat to O’Shea. Meanwhile, Gary McEvoy, in his Group A Subaru will be hoping that the long journey down from Derry will be fruitful. One of the surprise packets could be Ballyvourney’s Gerard Lucey in his Mitsubishi Evo8, he has shown a fine turn of speed in the forests and could convert that form quite successfully in Kerry. Without doubt, another local stalwart, Mike Quinn, in his Mk. 2 Ford Escort, should prove both competitive and entertaining.

Although seeded at number six, Cork driver Frank O’Mahony has withdrawn his entry as it has transpired that his all traction Metro 6R4 will not be ready for the fray. The remainder of the top 10 that have reason to fancy their chances are Clare’s Christy Carey (Mitsubishi Evo9), Cork’s Jimmy Deane (Jr.) in a Ford Escort, Carrick on Suir’s James Coleman, also in an Escort and the experienced Mike O’Connor (Snr.) in a Mitsubishi. Elsewhere amongst the 60 plus entry, there are places for Alan O’Callaghan (Subaru), Charlie Hickey (Escort), Martin Kelly (Mitsubishi Evo7) and Aidan Walsh (Peugeot 205), who will be co-driven by Tralee native Sean Moriarty. Others to watch include the Citroen C2R2 pair of Kevin O’Connor and Kieran Daly, Jason McSweeney (Honda Civic) and Owen Murphy (Hillman Avenger). The first timed run is scheduled to start at 11am.