Fitzmaurice aims to bridge gap

There is no real explanation why the Carlton Hotel Circuit of Kerry is one of the most hotly contested events in Irish rallying. On four occasions in recent times the rally has ended in a tie-break situation and three have involved current leader of the Dunlop National Rally Championship, Niall Maguire.

Sunday’s eight-stage event is the third round of the Dunlop campaign and the second round of the Top Part West Coast Rally Championship. Already, the Dunlop campaign is shaping up to be a battle between Maguire, Kevin Barrett, Thomas Fitzmaurice and Brian O’Mahony — all in S11 Subaru WRC’s.

Local driver Thomas Fitzmaurice has made a terrific start to the Dunlop series — victory in the opening round in Abbeyleix and a magnificent recovery to claim fifth in Claremorris. The Abbeydorney man is the top seed and could become the first Kerry-born driver to win the rally since its inception in 1981.