Motorsport: Armstrong heads up strong Irish challenge in Cordoba

Kesh driver Jon Armstrong (Ford Fiesta Rally2) begins his European Rally Championship (EC) campaign on this weekend's Rally Sierra Morena in Cordoba. Pic: Martin Walsh.

Jon Armstrong (Ford Fiesta Rally2) heads a sextet of Irish drivers in this weekend's Rally Sierra Morena in Cordoba, the opening round of the European Rally Championship. 

The Kesh driver and former ERC3 champion with Donegal's Shane Byrne on the notes, is seeded at number four in the M-Sport Ford WRT run Ford Fiesta Rally2.

A shakedown on the recent West Cork Rally saw him top the time sheets after the 18-stage encounter only to be excluded for receiving outside assistance getting his car to the finish.

The most important factor was his performance and the seat time gained (including a dozen stage wins) that should stand him in good stead for the weekend. He commented: “We did some good work in West Cork, so there is plenty to take from that. We will aim to enjoy it, push as hard as we can, and see what kind of result we can get. It is going to be a long year but we want to hit the ground running.” 

He added: “The asphalt stages in Spain are always a big challenge. When you find a good rhythm and get everything in the right window, it's a really nice feeling."

Armstrong faces some familiar rivals including top seed Spaniard Efren Llarena (Citroen C3 Rally2); Polish driver Miko Marczyk and Italian ace Andrea Mabellini, both in Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 cars and the vastly experienced Norwegian Mads Ostberg (Citroen C3 Rally2). 

Cookstown's Philip Allen (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) is seeded at sixteen.

The Junior ERC category features the promising Irish pair Craig Rahill and Keelan Grogan in Peugeot 208 Rally4 cars. Billy Coleman award winner Rahill was an impressive winner of the Rally4 category last weekend on Rallye La Llana in Spain. 

“It gives us good confidence heading into Rally Sierra Morena but we know we will have to find another step in pace to challenge Junior ERC’s frontrunners.” 

Grogan's shakedown was on the West Cork Rally. On his ERC campaign, he said: "It will provide a big challenge, but we are ready to give it our best." 

Elsewhere, other Irish entries are Aoife Raftery (208 Rally4) and Casey Jay Coleman (Ford Fiesta Rally3).

Meanwhile, Derry's Desi Henry will compete in a hired VW Polo GTi R5 in tomorrow's GO Tour of the Sperrins, the second round of the Brown & Brown Northern Ireland Rally Championship in Magherafelt. 

He will be followed by Warrenpoint's Peadar Hurson (VW Polo GTi R5) with Fermanagh's Garry Jennings, who won the event two years ago, campaigning a Ford Fiesta Rally2. 

Other entries are Donegal duo Joe McGonigle (Citroen C3 Rally2) and championship leader Aaron McLaughlin (VW Polo GTi R5); Derek McGarrity (Ford Fiesta Rally2) along with series interloper Wicklow’s Daniel Barry (VW Polo GTi R5).  The first of the day's six stages starts at 10.55am.

In circuit racing, the Ginetta GT Championship and the Ginetta Junior Championship series begin in Donington Park this weekend with West Cork brothers Robert and Colin Cronin racing with the Elite Motorsport outfit in their respective categories. 

Part of the Ballylickey motorsport dynasty, Robert switched from racing in the Porsche Sprint Challenge GB series to the Ginetta's at the tail end of last season and made an instant impact with two podium places in three races, results that prompted to make the move for a full season as he also joined the Elite Motorsport team. 

With one full season behind him, his younger brother Colin is aiming to be at the business end of the championship this year and has a significant amount of pre-season testing under his belt. 

There is further Irish interest with Donegal's Joshua Henry making his debut in the Ginetta Junior series. Last year, the Inver teenager was the youngest ever nominee for the Dunlop Sexton Trophy following his victory in the ICCR Junior Mini Challenge. 

Henry is very much in the Rookie category as he has only spent four days testing with the Tim Gray Motorsport satellite team. 

There is a race tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday for the Ginetta GT's while the Ginetta Juniors also have a race tomorrow and two races on Sunday.