Rallying: Cork ‘20’ International Rally 2007

The Murphy Construction Cork ‘20’ International Rally will once again provide the stage for a show down between the tarmac titans of Irish rallying on the weekend of 28, 29 and 30 September.  The event, which is the final round of the Global Group Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, has attracted entries from all the major players in the 2007 championship, including current championship leader, Eugene Donnelly. The Maghera native, who will compete in the event in a Subaru Impreza, is 9 points ahead of nearest rival, Mark Higgins, also driving a Subaru. However, with 50% bonus points up for grabs in Cork and Higgins keen to repeat the success he had in the event last year, the leadership race is sure to come down to the wire in Cork.

Eamonn Boland, currently in third place in the championship standings, will be partnered by Francis Regan. Kris Meeke, who drove to a spectacular win in the Rally of the Lakes in May, will also compete on the event, but his choice of co-driver and car have yet to be revealed. Former Murphy Construction Cork ‘20’ winner, Tim McNulty, fresh from his success on the Galway Summer Rally, will compete in an S11 and the event will also see the welcome return to the Cork countryside of Derek McGarrity, who will be partnered by Kerry native, Diarmuid Falvey.

The Murphy Construction Cork ‘20’ International Rally 2007 will prove to be a family affair for the McHale dynasty with Austin and sons, Gareth and Aaron, all featuring in the top twenty competitors. Aaron, who recently clinched the Dunlop National Championship title, and brother Gareth will certainly rise to their father’s challenge, but as a four-time winner of the event, it may be that Austin’s experience could give him the edge.

The international aspect of the event cannot be underestimated with the top three competitors, Current World Champion, France’s Sebastian Loeb, Finland’s Mikko Hirvonen and Loeb’s Spanish team mate Dani Sordo, adding a new dimension to this year’s event. The chance to see the battle between the stars of the World Rally Championship and our homegrown talent is too good to miss!

Spectators will be able to see these men and their machines up close and personal at the Ceremonial Start to the event, which will take place in the Grand Parade, Cork city centre on the evening of Friday, 28 September. Further details of this element of the event will be available on the club website, www.munstercarclub.com.

Finally, rally programmes detailing the entrants and routes of the Murphy Construction Cork ‘20’ International Rally will be available throughout Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford  Details of outlets will be available on www.munstercarclub.com.

For further information contact the Event Secretary, Kathlyne Hegarty on 087 9104685