McNulty back for Lakes test

Whatever their individual qualities, the combination of stages in the Killarney area and those within the Beara Peninsula are probably unequalled within Europe.

In the heyday of the Circuit of Ireland, rallying greats such as Billy Coleman, Jimmy McRae and Russell Brookes all marvelled at the challenge they provided.

Since then the roads have virtually remained unchanged, with the exception of improved surfaces. Tomorrow morning, the contenders for the Cartell.ie Rally of the Lakes will begin their assault on 16 formidable stages with the bravest — or perhaps the luckiest — set to conquer. The entry includes most of the regulars of the Irish Tarmac Championship as Killarney hosts the third round.

Reigning champion Tim McNulty (Subaru S12B) returns to the campaign. The Meath ace led the rally in the last two years until he was sidelined with mechanical woes.

“We have come down here really determined, we want to win,” he said.

“Obviously, Eugene [Donnelly], Darren [Gass] and Daragh [O’Riordan] will be tough opposition, I am expecting Daragh to be very quick here.”

Midleton’s O’Riordan is the top seed and having competed in Galway in a hired S14 Subaru, reverts to his usual S12B car. How he copes with the pressure will be key.

Unlike the top two seeds, series leader Darren Gass (Subaru) is a relative novice in terms of competing in Killarney. While the Armagh driver demolished the opposition on home territory on the Circuit of Ireland, the Lakes will be a far different proposition as he bids to collect a third set of maximum points. The return of Eugene Donnelly in his Toyota Corolla WRC should be interesting, he began the campaign in Galway in a Mini WRC but surprised many by acquiring the Toyota Corolla he drove to second place in last year’s Fastnet Rally in Bantry. He took second-placed points on the Circuit and since then has made significant changes to the car. The most experienced campaigner within the ITC, it is somewhat surprising that just one of his 18 wins in the series has come in Killarney — in 2003 in a Subaru WRC.

Fermanagh’s Gary Jennings (Mitsubishi), current ITC Group N champion, occupies the No 6 slot and will be relishing the opportunity.

Meanwhile, Aaron MacHale (Ford Focus WRC) is another driver returning to the ITC as he makes his first appearance of the season.

Top local driver Alan Ring (Mitsubishi) will strive to recover the form of a few seasons ago and will need little motivation. Billy Coleman Award winner Sam Moffett, also in a Mitsubishi, will be competing in Killarney for the first time. Clonmel’s Roy White (MG S2000) rounds off the top 10.

Elsewhere, the entry also features the Ford Focus WRC of Eoin Doyle and JJ Fleming, Jer O’Donovan (Subaru) and the Kerry trio of Vincent O’Shea (Mitsubishi), Kevin O’Donoghue and Fergus O’Meara, both in Ford Escorts. The ceremonial start in Killarney is at 8pm this evening with tomorrow’s opening stage at 8am.

The Northern Ireland Rally Championship continues tomorrow with the Tour of Sperrins Rally with Derek McGarrity (Hyundai WRC) as the top seed.

Meanwhile, Derry’s Marty McCormack and his Cork co-driver, David Moynihan, will compete in next weekend’s Tour de Corse, the fourth round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

In other news, Cork’s Matt Griffin has agreed a deal with AF Corse to drive in this weekend’s second round of the World Endurance Championship in Spa-Francorchamps, where he will drive a Ferrari 458 GT2 alongside co-drivers Marco Cioci & Pierguiseppe Perazzini. The deal will also see him make his debut in the Le Mans 24-hour race next June.