Crews geared up for start of rally season

THE Valvoline National Forest Rally Championship heralds the beginning of the Irish rally season tomorrow with the Abbey Hotel Donegal Forest Rally making its debut in the series.

In the absence of defending champion, Cork driver Owen Murphy, who has to opt out the event due to a back injury, last year’s runner-up Vincent McAree is the top seed.

Reigning Group N Irish Tarmac champion, Garry Jennings is a late entry having acquired an ex-Prodrive Subaru 555. Even though the Fermanagh ace hasn’t competed in the forests for some seven years, he will be a strong contender for victory and may even continue with a title challenge.