The popularity of rallying has hit an all-time high with a maximum of 130 starters for Sunday's Red Mills Rally Championship event in Cavan, plus no less than 77 reserves.
Run out of Cavan town, the Kilmore Hotel-sponsored rally is round five of the RIAC series, which is led by reigning champion John Gilleece on 58 points, with Ray Breen of Waterford second on 48, followed by Ivan Stewart (25) and Ian Greer and Niall Maguire on 20 each.
Breen is not competing in Cavan as he is changing from his Metro 6R4 to the ex-J J Fleming/ Eamonn Boland Ford Escort WRC, which he will drive for the first time in the Circuit of Munster on Sunday week. With Breen out of the equation, Gilleece in his Escort Cosworth should gain maximum points.
Greer is utilising this event as a warm-up for the Donegal International next month, but he may register for championship points as he did for the Mayo Stages which he won.
Michael Barrable will drive his Toyota Celica GT4 and needs a win to get his challenge up and running. But the two to watch will be James Cullen in an Escort Cosworth and Kenny McKinstry in a Subaru Impreza. Also on the pace will be Charlie Donnelly in a Celica GT4, Niall Maguire (Impreza), Robert Moffett (Escort), Daniel Doherty (Subaru Legacy) and England's Paul Kirtley (Escort Cosworth).
The Escort Mark 2 drivers include Norman Armstrong and Joe McGurk, with Ivan Stewart in a Sierra and Joe McHugh in an Escort Cosworth. The 3x3 stages are at Carrickaboy, Termon and Shantemon.
Rounds five and six of the Dunlop Hillclimb Championship, for the Frank Keane Trophy, are the Dublin University Club's Cruagh Hillclimb in the Pine Forest area of the Dublin mountains tomorrow and the Laragh Hillclimb near Glendalough on Sunday. Reigning champion Ronnie Maybin leads on 37 points, from Donal Griffin (34), Padraig Forde (32) and Jenny Kennedy (28). Leinster Motor Club hosts the Leinster 200 motorcycle races at Mondello Park on Sunday. First held in 1923 on a road circuit at Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, the `200' has been staged at many circuits including the Phoenix Park, Skerries, Tallaght, Wicklow and Dunboyne, beforefinally finding a permanent home at Mondello 30 years ago. In 1968 it was the first motorcycle meeting held there.
Weekend Fixtures
Tomorrow: Dublin University LC & MCC/ MEC Cruagh Hillclimb, Co Dublin (road closes 10.30); Co Kildare MC 4x4 Trial, Morrissey's Pit, Ardiston, Tullow, Co Carlow, 10.00.
Sunday: MEC, Laragh Hillclimb, Co Wicklow, 10.30; C. Cavan MC, Stages Rally, Cavan, 11.15; 4x4 Trial, Ardiston, Tullow, Co Carlow, 10. Leinster MC Leinster 200 Motorcycle Races, Mondello Park, 12.00.
