16/02/06 - Bangor’s Michael Curran has today (Thursday) sealed a deal to drive Shane Braniff’s Skoda Octavia World Rally Car at this Saturday’s Eurocables Stages Rally!
The young 25-year-old looked set to miss the event after selling his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7 earlier this week, the car which he used to win the 2005 Irish National Group N trophy. But in a last minute twist of fate, Curran secured a deal and will pilot the Skoda at the opening round of the MSA Pacenotes Northern Ireland Rally Championship.
"Thanks to Rich Sauces and Feckin’ Irish Whiskey for giving me this opportunity!" Curran said. "It looked like I was going to miss the event but I’m glad to say I’ll be there! I’m really looking forward to it!"
Curran, who took a Subaru Impreza WRC to third overall at last year’s Kirkistown event, will be on a massive charge come Saturday morning. The Skoda Octavia WRC is widely regarded to be extremely quick in a straight line and with a young hotshot behind the wheel, it could prove to be a very potent package!
Event Summary and updated top 20 entries
The Eurocables Stages Rally takes place on Saturday 18 February and will see competitors tackle six stages, all based within the confines of Kirkistown Race Circuit. The proceedings kick off at 9am with the champagne finish due to take place at dinner time.
1. Kevin Lynch / TBA - Subaru Impreza WRC
2. Glenn Allen / Damien Connolly - Toyota Corolla WRC
3. Sean Devine / TBA - Subaru Impreza WRC
4. Denis Biggerstaff / Jonathan MacDonald - Subaru Impreza WRC
5. Nigel Hicklin / TBA - Toyota Corolla WRC
6. Raymond Johnston / Richard Bell - Subaru Impreza WRC
7. George Robinson / Tommy Speers - Ford Escort WRC
8. Gary White / TBA - Ford Escort Cosworth
9. Dickie Curran / Chris Curran - Mitsubishi EVO 8.5
10. Michael Curran / Fabian McShane - Skoda Octavia WRC
11. Johnny McKenna / Eugene O'Kane - Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6
12. Martin Elliott / Brian Crawford - Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6
13. Brendan O'Hagan / Paul Hone - Ford Focus WRC
14. Seamus Heron / Billy McCullins - Toyota Corolla WRC
15. Kieron Graffin / Neil Doherty - Mitsubishi EVO
16. Paul McKenna / Charlie Beatty - Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6
17. Connor McCloskey / Crawford Henderson - Mitsubishi Evo 9
18. Michael Black / Christopher Simms - Toyota Celica 4WD
19. Trevor Ferguson / Barry Rutter - Subaru Impreza
20. Willie Singleton / Charles Orr - Ford Escort Cosworth
the rest at
www.nirally.com