Sport

McGarrity on a mission to preserve his record

MOTOR SPORT: Derek McGarrity takes a 12-point lead into this weekend's Ulster Rally and the security of knowing that he has …

Brian Foley
Fri Sept 03 2004 - 01:00

MOTOR SPORT: Derek McGarrity takes a 12-point lead into this weekend's Ulster Rally and the security of knowing that he has scored in every round of the championship so far. With such a record, he would be forgiven for believing the gods will surely smile on him again this time out when the rally starts in Armagh at 3.0 pm today.

But if McGarrity is brimful of confidence, it will soon evaporate if Eugene Donnelly has his way. The pursuing Donnelly, on 63 points, saw his scoring record end in a crash at the recent Rally of the Lakes. He'll be doubly motivated to put one over on his main title rival in this the penultimate round of the championship.

Third-placed Austin McHale has also scored in all six rounds and on 58 points is still just about in contention, putting in some good finishes but currently not on the pace for rally wins.

Donnelly and McHale have everything to play for over the final two rounds, with the last round, the Cork 20, especially enticing as it offer a 50-per-cent points bonus, with first place earning 22.5 point against the normal 15.

READ MORE

The closeness of the competition going into the last two weekends should ensure a grandstand finish to the title race.

Local ace Andrew Nesbitt is fancied to win this weekend but McGarrity should at least have that vital edge over Donnelly.

Forestry stages champion Kevin Lynch will miss Sunday's final round, the Killarney Club's event, as he is competing on the Ulster.

There is a three-way battle for second between Kevin O'Kane, Pat Norris and Patrick Elliott. Former champion Dermot Kelly has returned to form and will be a strong contender for victory.

The stages are at Rockchapel, Mullaghareirk, Forehane and Mount Eagle, with central service at Castleisland Mart.

Donegal's famous Knockalla hill is the venue for the weekend's final rounds of the Motorsport Ireland National Hillclimb Championship.

Carlow Car Club and Leinster Motor Club join forces in running two championship autocross rounds at Monure, Springfield, Co Carlow.

The first two rounds of the Hewison Trophy autotest championship for 2004/2005 will be held by the Cork Motor Club (Saturday) and Munster Car Club (Sunday) in Cork City.

In the last Hewison series Eamonn Byrne equalled Dermot Carnegie's long-held record of ten championships, and is in peak form to set a new record of 11 titles.

WEEKEND FIXTURES - Today: Ulster Rally, starts Armagh City, 3.0pm. Saturday: Carlow CC/Leinster MC, Autocross, Monure, Springfield, Co Carlow, 10.0am; Donegal MC, Knockalla Hillclimb, Portsalon, Co Donegal, 11.00am; Co Kildare MC, 4x4 Irish Challenge, Cardtown Forest, Mountrath, Co Laois, 11.00am; Cork MC, Hewison Trophy Autotest, Cork City, 12.30pm. Sunday: Killarney & District MC, Forestry Stages Rally, starts Castleisland, Co Kerry, 9.00am; Carlow CC/Leinster MC, Autocross, Monure, Springfield, Co Carlow, 10.00am; Donegal MC, Knockalla Hillclimb, Portsalon, Co Donegal, 11.00am; Co Kildare MC, 4x4 Irish Challenge, Cardtown Forest, Mountrath, Co Laois, 11.00am; Munster CC, Hewison Trophy Autotest, Cork City, 11.00am; Southern KC, Kart Racing, Tynagh, Portumna, Co Galway, 10.00am; MRCI, Midget Car racing, Baltinglass, Co Wicklow, 2.30pm.