16/02/06 - Rally drivers are gearing up for the opening round of the 2006 MSA Pacenotes Northern Ireland Rally Championship, due to kick off at Kirkistown Race Circuit this Saturday 18 February!
Defending champion, Kevin Lynch (Dungiven), heads the entry list in his Subaru Impreza WRC. The successful businessman virtually ran away with last year’s championship but his attendance at the opening round of the 2006 series is anything but certain. Business commitments have already interfered with his participation at two rallies this year, one of which was also based at Kirkistown, and Lynch cites the same reason for his uncertain attendance.
“We’re up to our two ears with work at the moment,” Lynch said two days before the event. “Will I be at Kirkistown? - that’s a million dollar question! To be honest, I really haven’t got the time. I put an entry in to make sure I had the option and the car is ready but I’m 95% certain I won’t be there. Saying that, it’s still at the back of my mind and if the time is there on Friday evening and Saturday morning, then I’ll be sitting on the start line!”
His dominance of last year’s series makes the Dungiven driver the hot favourite for victory. Glenn Allen (Cookstown), who is seeded second for this Saturday’s event, was last year’s championship bridesmaid. With Damian Connolly sitting beside him, the Corolla WRC pilot is hoping to go one better in 2006.
“I haven’t been out since Rally Ireland in October,” Allen said, “so it’ll be good to get back out and see what the craic is. The boys are finishing the car off today (Thursday) so hopefully I’ll get a run in her on Friday. We’re going to do the full championship and have a go at the Irish National series as well.”
Sean Devine (Strabane) has also entered the event in his S9 specification Impreza WRC. The Construction company owner used January’s Kirkistown based New Year Stages Rally to blow off the winter cobwebs. Unfortunately, a broken gearbox forced him to the sidelines during the closing stages while lying in second position.
The winner on that occasion was Denis Biggerstaff and the Dromara man will pilot his Subaru Impreza WRC at this weekend’s event. With a new co-driver on board, Bangor’s Jonathan MacDonald, the former British Rallycross and N.I. Rally Champion is hoping to take his Feckin’ Irish Whiskey sponsored Impreza to another podium finish.
Whiskey company owner and event sponsor, Shane Braniff (Portaferry), is also entered in a Skoda Octavia WRC while Nigel Hicklin, Raymond Johnston, George Robinson and Gary White complete the leading class 8 crews.
Production Category
In the Production category, Dickie Curran (Greyabbey) heads the entry with his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.5. His son Michael (Bangor), the current Irish National Group N champion, was seeded behind his father but pulled his entry earlier this week after selling his car.
Curran Junior’s absence means Johnny McKenna (Draperstown) heads the challenge to Dickie Curran. McKenna, who sealed a deal with Hankook Tyres for this year’s championship, started his year on a high with victory at the GMW Stages Rally just two weeks ago.
Martin Elliott (Antrim) is next in line and the former circuit racer, who won Group N at Kirkistown 12 months ago, is hoping history will repeat itself. Kieron Graffin, Paul McKenna and 19-year-old Connor McCloskey will also be setting the stages alight while a late entry from former Production champion, Richard Hogg, throws the cat among the pigeons. Business commitments forced the Limavady man to take a temporary sabbatical from rallying but now he is looking forward to get back behind the wheel.
“I might be a little rusty but sure, who cares!” Hogg said. “I can’t wait to get back into the sport, I’ve definitely missed it over the past year. Tubs (Mark Hanna) and I are really looking forward to Kirkistown!”
Two wheel drive
Superdrive is sponsoring the two wheel drive category and such is the quality of entry, the first crew is listed outside the top 30. Crumlin’s Rodney White and Kara Bateson head the list in their Sunbeam but it won’t be an easy ride. Mark 2 preparation expert, Camillus Bradley (Draperstown), is next in line with a host of other drivers, such as Wesley Patterson, Barry McKenna and Bob Riddles, all capable of taking the honours.
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