MOTOR SPORT: For 70,000 rally fans, all roads lead to Killarney for this weekend's Ordnance Survey International Rally of The Lakes. The event, celebrating its 25th anniversary, is reckoned to generate a spend of €20 million in the area.
An intense, five-way battle for victory in Round Three of the Pirelli Tarmac Rally Championship is promised between the top seeds, Tapio Laukkanen of Finland and Derek McGarrity (Belfast) in Subaru WRCs, Derry's Eugene Donnelly in a Toyota Corolla WRC, and Ford Focus WRC drivers Austin McHale (Rathcoole) and local hero Donie O'Sullivan (Killarney).
Eamonn Boland (Wexford) is seeded sixth in a Mitsubishi Lancer WRC in place of his usual Subaru, and George Tracey (Dublin) makes his debut in an ex-works Peugeot 206WRC.
The top 10 is completed by Peadar Hurson and Tim McNulty in Subaru WRCs and Liam McCarthy in a Corolla WRC.
Laukkanen won the opening championship event in Galway, beating Donnelly by the close margin of 0.7 seconds. The talented Finn was unlucky to retire his Subaru as a result of fire damage on the first stage of the Circuit of Ireland, won for the second successive year by McGarrity.
Laukkanen has what it takes to win, but he will be at a disadvantage compared to the top Irish drivers who are no strangers to the particularly challenging stages of the southwest.
For the first time the rally has a female clerk of the course. Noreen Marshall, who previously served as secretary, takes over the role from her husband, Mike, who was at the helm for 24 years. He is now the event manager.
The always innovative Killarney and District Motor Club have introduced a new Super Special to get the weekend off to a flying start this Friday evening. The venue is the Killarney Racecourse.
TARMAC RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP (after two rounds) - Drivers: E Donnelly 24 pts; D McGarrity 23; A McHale 18; T Laukkanen 15; D O'Sullivan 11; D Keenan 10; E Boland, T McNulty 7; G Woodcock, W Fannin 6. C0-drivers: P Kiely 24; D O'Gorman 23; B Murphy 18; K Harri 15; P Nagle, D Morrissey 7; E Sherry, J Nangle 6; M Courtney, L Roe 5.
Sunday's racing at Mondello Park features Formula Sheane, Formula Vee and Stryker Championships, with races also for saloon championships, Porsches, historics and Formula Libre.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Friday: Rally Super Special, Killarney Racecourse, 5.30 p.m.
Saturday/Sunday: Killarney & District MC, Ordnance Survey 25th International Rally of the Lakes, starts Glen Eagle Hotel, Killarney, 8 a.m.
500 MRCI, Motor Racing, Kirkistown, Co Down, 1.30 p.m.
Sunday: Co Kildare MC, Motor Racing, Mondello Park, 2 p.m.
