Top crews pull out of Circuit of Munster

These are difficult times for all involved in Irish motorsport and while Sunday’s Circuit of Munster Rally is going ahead as planned, a number of the top crews have withdrawn as a mark of respect following the fatalities at last week’s Cavan Rally.

The event is a counting round of both the Dunlop National Rally Championship and the Top Part West Coast Rally Championship. Dunlop series leader Thomas Fitzmaurice, along with title protagonists Niall Maguire, Brian O’Mahony, Kevin Barrett, JJ Fleming and Shane Maguire, have all withdrawn.

Fourth seed, Tyrone’s Frank Kelly, who leads the way in the inaugural Dunlop National Mark 2 Escort Champions Trophy and the rally.ie category, will be the first car away from Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Hotel in Adare. Kelly was fourth in the last round in Carlow and will set a strong pace.