Motor SportNiall Maguire's lead in the Dunlop National Rally Championship has dropped to just 10 points. With three of the 10 rounds to run, the Monaghan driver, on 98 points, starts Sunday's Galway Summer Rally under major pressure from James Harrison (88) and Patrick Elliott (86).
After four rounds, Maguire, on 78, led Cathal Arthurs by 26 points and Harrison by 28 and looked to be well on his way to a third title. But he crashed out of round five, the Ravens Rock Rally, won by Kevin Lynch, and his lead was cut to 10 points over Harrison.
Maguire held off Elliott to win by two seconds in Sligo, where the Englishman, Harrison, non-started, flying home to Macclesfield to be with his wife, Cathy, for the birth of their son.
Maguire started round seven, the Tipperary Stonethrowers, 30 points ahead of Harrison only to crash out on the first stage. Harrison won his first event of the year to cut the gap to 10 points.
Maguire not only has to contend with Harrison and Elliott but also has a broken toe after his last accident. Although Lynch is not in contention for championship honours he can play a major influence in the distribution of points.
The top seeds in the Galway event, run out of Portumna, are Maguire, Harrison, Elliott, Lynch, Daniel Doherty, Arthurs, JJ Fleming, Denis Biggerstaff, Seán Gallagher and John Spain.
Others capable of a top-10 finish include George Cullen, Denis Cronin, Kevin Barrett and Ivan Stewart.
The battle for Group N honours is headed by Willie Fannin (48), Gabriel Martin (43) and James O'Sullivan (37).
Noel Dunne and Rod McGovern aim for a repeat of their Dunlop Supercar May wins at Kirkistown tomorrow. Eric Holstein chases yet another Dunlop Fiat Abarth Cup win.
In the Northern Ireland Formula Ford Championship Victor Gibson leads on 85 points from Westmeath's Morgan Dempsey (71) and Michael Edgar (57). Rory Farrell (Kildare) leads the pre-82 class.
Dermot Carnegie is after his sixth successive supercar final win in Monday's British Rallycross Championship round seven at Lydden, Kent. The Dubliner faces a big challenge from Will Gollop and Pat Doran. Lawrence Gibson (533 points) is the championship leader. Carnegie (500) has played catch-up after scoring no points in the opening round as a result of engine trouble.
Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club's weekend's hill-climbs feature veteran, vintage and modern cars as well as motorcycles in the club's first motorsport festival.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday: Carrick-on-Suir MC, Hillclimb, Garryduff, Owning, Co Kilkenny, 10.0.; 500 MRCI, Motor Racing, Kirkistown, Co Down, 1.30.
Sunday: Carrick-on-Suir MC, Hillclimb, Millvale, Co Waterford, 10.0; Galway MC, Summer Rally, starts Portumna, Co Galway, 10.0; Killarney & District MC, Autocross, Killarney, Co Kerry, 11.0.
