Motors: O'Brien eyeing home comforts after trip from Oz for 'Omagh Grand Prix' tilt
Omagh native Patrick O’Brien (Skoda Fabia R5) now living in Perth, is seeking a fifth victory in the McKelvey Construction Bushwhacker Rally in Omagh. Picture: Martin Walsh
Although Omagh native and former Irish Forest Rally champion Patrick O'Brien likes his new lifestyle in Perth, the lure of the McKelvey Construction Bushwhacker Rally, often dubbed the Omagh Grand Prix due to its pace, is just too much to ignore.
He returned some two weeks ago and used the Enniskillen-based Lakeland Forest Rally as a shakedown and duly notched up a hat-trick of wins on that event. But, there's no doubt in his mind, the Bushwhacker is the one that matters. O'Brien is seeking a remarkable fifth successive victory on his home rally. In the last four years his battle with Fivemiletown's Cathan McCourt has been enthralling. There's been precious little between them - a margin of 7.8s in 2021 is the biggest time difference and just 0.7s last year shows how close it gets.
"It's getting really close now, there are a few other drives too but Cathan is the main man. You definitely can't afford any slip up, it's all in the preparation, everything must be done to perfection, you can't miss a gear. I'm really looking forward to it and with living in Australia, it's also a holiday and a bit of fun. After the rally, I fly back to Perth."
Although he's only competed in one rally down under (finishing fourth in a Ford Fiesta Rally2) he's in the process of building a rear wheel drive rally car. Aside from Cathan McCourt, O'Brien reckons Niall McCullagh (another Omagh man) will also be a strong contender.
O'Brien's 2017 edition of the Skoda R5 is not as technologically advanced as the Skoda Fabia RS Rally 2 cars of McCourt and McCullagh, jokingly, he quipped, "It's (his car) historic, but it's always sweeter when you beat them." With the rally celebrating its 50th anniversary, he added, "Yea, it would be unbelievable if we can win it, four is nice but five would be a dream." While he is looking forward to tonight's (Friday) stages in the dark, he reckons running first on the road could be awkward. "You are cleaning on the first pass and losing valuable seconds, it's been very wet here in the last while so who knows." Ballygawley's Vivian Hamill (Ford Fiesta Rally2), who lines up a three, will also be targeting a win.
The event also dovetails as rounds of the Sligo Pallets Irish Forest Rally Championship and the NI Gravel Rally Challenge, in terms of the former Jason Mitchell (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) can clinch the series this weekend. The Victoria Bridge driver was hoping to do just that on the previous round (Lakeland Forest Rally) only to crash out on the very opening stage. Title rival Stephen Dickson (Ford Fiesta Rally2) took the maximum points from the Enniskillen event to move two points ahead forcing Mitchell to revise his initial plan of using a 34mm restrictor that is not permitted on events within the Irish Forest Championship. "Having gone this far now, I have to concentrate on the Irish Forest Championship."
He explained his demise on the Lakeland. "I made a mistake in my notes, there was a brow and I landed in a shuck (drain) there was very little damage. I could take the chance (to use the big restrictor) and then try and win the championship in the Donegal Forest Rally, but that's too risky, I have put too much time into it now. I can always come back and do the Bushwhacker next year, I think I am well-equipped with the right car now. Gravel is my favourite surface and it would be nice to win the championship."
Outgoing Sligo Pallets national champion Monaghan's Derek Mackarel (Ford Fiesta R5) will be aiming to improve his current third overall position and also continue his bid for the NI Gravel series. This evening's first stage starts just before 8.00pm with the night's final stage at 11.41pm. There are six more stages tomorrow. The popularity of the rally is illustrated by its entry of some 145 crews.
Meanwhile, newly crowned Drift Masters European Champion, Killavullen's Jack Shanahan will compete in the NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Championship season ending Cork '20' Rally in two weeks' time.
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