MOTOR SPORT: Niall Maguire and Paul McLoughlin are the top contenders in Sunday's Fastnet Rally, run out of Skibbereen over eight special stages in west Cork.
Monaghan-driver Maguire has had a great season in winning the Dunlop National Rally Championship for a second time, scoring wins in Mayo, Kerry, Monaghan, Cavan, Waterford, Sligo and Clare. Maguire's score is 158 points while Patrick Elliott on 120 points and Seán Gallagher on 92 points have secured the runners-up placings.
A battle royal is expected between Maguire and Michael Barrable in Subaru Impreza WRCs. Maguire will want to finish his campaign with a record eighth win while Barrable would like to avenge his disappointment ithis event over a decade ago when he had to retire his Opel Manta and lost the rally and the championship to Richard Smyth in a Ford Sierra Cosworth.
Welshmen Mel Evans in a Ford Escort WRC and John Price in a Metro 6R4 will push Maguire and Barrable, but the man to watch will be Kenny McKinstry in a Subaru Impreza WRC. McKinstry is a former tarmac champion and winner of the Fastnet Rally in 1984 in a Ford Escort 1800.
Local hopes are on Liam McCarthy and Frank O'Mahony, both former double winners of the rally. McCarthy will drive his Toyota Corolla WRC and O'Mahony will experience a world rally car for the first time when he takes the wheel of a McKinstry-prepared car.
Next June promises to be a vintage one for Irish motorsport with a number of events to celebrate the centenary of the Gordon Bennett Cup Race of 1903. The Ulster Vintage Car Club has released details of the 75th Ards TT Commemoration from June 18th-22nd.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday - Connacht MC, Hewison Trophy Autotests, Sligo RTC, Ballinode, Co Sligo, 1 p.m.; Co Cavan MC, Navigation Trial, Tullyvin, Cootehill, Co Cavan.
Sunday - Skibbereen & District MC, Marine Hotel Fastnet Stages Rally, starts Skibbereen, Co Cork, 7.45 a.m.; Youghal MCC, Halloween Motorcycle Trial, The Vee, Clogheen, Co Tipperary, 11 a.m; Galway MC, Hewison Trophy Autotests, Ballinasloe Co-Op Mart, Co Galway, noon.
