Great Stuff Lies In Store In Imokilly

The short, sharp format event has once again proved popular with competitors with over 120 entries confirmed so far for the 6 stage event. Seeded at number 1 are last year's winners, Wesley Patterson and Johnny Baird in their Mark 2 Ford Escort. After a recent retirement on last month's Donegal Rally, Patterson will be out to make amends this weekend. Patterson will face stiff competition however, not least from number 2 seed, Denis Cronin. Cronin, in a Subaru World Rallr Car, will be co driven by a former winner of this event, Coleman Hurley.

Ed Murphy, Trevor Mulligan and the manic Ed O'Callaghan round off the top 5 with first local and Imokilly Motor Club crew on the road being Clashmore driver, Brian O Keeffe. Subaru mounted O'Keefe will be partnered by the experienced Sean Hayde on the notes. Gary Kiernan and James Fulton will start at number 7 in yet another Mark 2 Ford Escort. At 8 is another IMC crew, Youghal's Jason Ryan with Peter Falvey on the notes in their unusual but rapid Honda powered Toyota Starlet. Enda O'Brien, fresh from a strong drive in Carlow recently starts at 9 with David Guest completing the top 10 in his Group N Mitsubishi.

Speaking ahead of the weekend, Clerk of the Course Derek Power Clerk Of the Course expressed his gratitude to all who have helped make the rally happen; "I must thank my team at the Imokilly Motor Club for the hard work put in over the last few months. I would like to thank the residents on the route and everyone who is helping run the rally. I would appeal to people going to the rally to stand in a safe place and obey the marshals. Safety is paramount and common sense is vital. I would appeal to all road users on the weekend to drive with respect and caution and put safety first and to keep the race in its place."
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The first car will leave the start ramp from Rally HQ, The Park Hotel Dungarvan, at 10.43am on Sunday with the first competitive stage starting at 11.00am. The winning car is expected back in Dungarvan at 4.40pm. For more information on the event, go to www.imokillymotorclub.com, search 'Imokillyministages' on Facebook or follow @imcpower on Twitter.

Mayo and District Motor Club will run their third loose surface autocross event of the year this Sunday. The Swinford based event will be round 3 of the Frank Harrington Challenge, round 3 of Mayo & District Young Driver Championship, round 5 of the 5 Star Catering National LS Autocross Championship and round 4 of the RM Racing Championships. In the midland, Birr and District Motor Club will run a multi venue autotest on Sunday morning starting the Creggan Court Hotel in Athlone at 10am.