Niall Maguire (Monaghan) and his Limerick co-driver Anthony Nestor are well poised to win the Red Mills national Rally Championship, even though they will miss Sunday's eighth round - the Sligo Stages. With a score of 124 points, Maguire has a huge lead over Dominic Loughran (65), David Armstrong (53), Gabriel Snow (53), Michael Barrable (51), John McCluskey (45) and Hal Lewis (42).
Donegal's Daniel Doherty won the opening round, the Mayo Stages, but non-finishes in Kerry, Cavan and Monaghan effectively ruined his championship chances. Doherty debuts a Subaru Impreza in Sligo and should be the pace setter over the special stages at Lady's Brae, Lavagh, Banada, Doocastle and Kiloran.
The Sligo event is also Round Three of the new Ford Ka Rally Championship, led by Derek Daly (Killarney) with two wins from Ian Chadwick (Cork) with one win, on 58 and 56 points, respectively. Paul Callan (Dundalk) is third on 41 points, followed by James Travers (Kilkenny) 38; Keith Colton (Tullamore) 37; and Oliver Stanley (Durrow) 33.
A major shakeup in Irish rallying is looking likely for 2000, with the Galway Rally moved from its traditional February slot to December and perhaps even being dropped for a year, and the Circuit of Ireland doubtful for the Easter Holiday and most likely not held until 2001. The first of the Irish Internationals will probably be the Killarney-based Rally of the Lakes on the May Holiday weekend immediately following the late Easter. Few, if any, tears would be shed if the Circuit of Ireland was to be pensioned off, for this once great classic has for several years struggled in the shadows of its former glory and really has no place in modern rallying of shorter, more compact and more easily organised events.
Great news for motor racing enthusiasts is the likelihood of a round (or two) of the ultra spectacular British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) at Mondello Park in 2000. The dates allocated are August 12th and 13th, to be confirmed pending the usual track inspection, which should not be a problem.
Round seven at Dungarvan and round eight at Millvale near Carrick-on-Suir will attract all the top contenders in the Dunlop Hillclimb Championship at the weekend. Reigning champion and current leader Donal Griffin (Formula Opel) will no doubt be pushed to the limit by Ronnie Maybin (Delta), Padraig Forde (Scottclimber) and Karl Cleary (Metro 6R4). Former champion Richard Young returns to the hills at the wheel of Cyril Lynch's Lant RT4. As well as all the usual class contenders, good local support will ensure a capacity entry.
