Motorsport: Doherty targets fast start in Dungannon

Kilkenny's Eddie Doherty (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) and his Limerick co-driver Tom Murphy compete in the Dungannon based McKinney Competitions Circuit of Ireland Rally, the third round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship that begins this Friday afternoon. Pic: Martin Walsh.

Although a relative newcomer to the Circuit of Ireland Rally, Kilkenny's Eddie Doherty will turn the steering wheel of his Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 with a genuine chance of victory in the two-day twelve stage McKinney Competitions-backed event that is based in Dungannon. 

It's only his third outing in the Easter classic - his first in 2023 in a Mk. 2 Ford Escort and last year in a Skoda Fabia R5.

The business end of what is the third round of the Irish Tarmac Championship has been diluted by the withdrawal of number one seed and former Junior World champion William Creighton, whose plan to drive a Citroen C3 Rally2 fell through while the Boyle trio of Declan, Michael and Matthew, all in Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 cars, withdrew for family reasons.

Reigning Irish Tarmac Rally champion and last year's Circuit winner Derry's Callum Devine is first on the road albeit with the #140 decals on the side of his Skoda Fabia RS Rally2.

A double puncture on the penultimate stage forced Doherty to retire from last year's event but he still garnered good information of the terrain. 

"For sure, I remember some of the stages from the two years I have competed there and we also had a good recce (reconnaissance) last weekend." 

Doherty opined that preparation is a key element for any rally. 

"That's always been our plan, to prepare as much as possible before the event as on the day, there isn't that much you can do."

He agreed that Irish rallying has become very professional. 

"Yes, everyone is operating at that level now, you have to really to get the best (stage) time, it (rallying) is now more of a job than a hobby." 

It's an approach that takes away some of the more social elements. 

"You miss having the craic with the boys during the service, but, we are here to compete and to try and win."

On his plan he said: "We will go as hard as we can from the very first stage, that was the plan in West Cork and we were there or thereabouts. Callum (Devine) is the benchmark and will be for the whole year, look, on that part, I would rather be the underdog."

Josh Moffett's victory in Clonakilty puts him right back in frame and given his win in Nenagh last Sunday, it will be interesting to see if his Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 can rack up a hat-trick of wins in as many weeks, he last won the Circuit in 2018.

Others in the mix are the Skoda duo of Donegal's David Kelly - a winner of the Mayo Rally and Fivemiletown's Cathan McCourt; the Ford Fiesta Rally2 trio of Jersey visitor Sam Touzel, Omagh's Ryan Loughran and Kilrea's Desi Henry along with Carryduff's Jonny Greer (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2). 

Monaghan's Sam Moffett (Hyundai i20 Rally2) makes a rare outing in a round of the ITRC although it's more a shakedown for his home event in Monaghan next week.

In the modified section local driver Barry Morris (Darrian T90 GTR) will be the benchmark in a category that includes the Ford Escort duo of Letterkenny's Mark Alcorn and Armagh's Damien Toner.

In the Historics, reigning champion Donegal's John O'Donnell (BMW M3 E30) will be expected to set the pace as Dunmanway's Jason McSweeney (Ford Escort WRC) has identified the acquisition of championship points as his primary objective, he leads the current series following back- to-back wins on the Galway International and the more recent West Cork Rally. 

Waterford's Ray Breen (Subaru Legacy) a non-finisher in Clonakilty, is another contender over the two days.

Today's four stages is a double run over the 8.82 mile Sturgeon Bridge and the 8.68 mile Slievemore stages, the first stage beginning at 1.48pm with a service halt after SS2 at the Dungannon Farmer's Mart.

Meanwhile, Dubliner Alex Denning (26) is climbing the racing ladder and will step up to the Italian GT3 GT Endurance Championship in a Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 run by Imperiale Racing. 

Ireland's first ever official Lamborghini affiliated driver is aiming to build on last year's victory in the Lamborghini Asia Pro series. 

"Competing in GT3 was always a childhood dream of mine so doing it with a manufacturer as prestigious as Lamborghini is very fitting. I want to thank Imperiale Racing for this opportunity and all my incredible network of partners as we work towards the greater goal of Le Mans 2029."