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Circuit of Wicklow Rally preview

Round 3 KBB Doors National Forest Championship 2003 Circuit of Wicklow Rally, Sunday 13th April, Roundwood Co. Wicklow Round 3 of the KBB Doors National Forest Rally Championship takes us to the Wicklow Mountains, organised by the Motor ...

Published: Apr 10, 2003, 9:29 PM

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Round 3 KBB Doors National Forest Championship 2003
Circuit of Wicklow Rally, Sunday 13th April, Roundwood Co. Wicklow

Round 3 of the KBB Doors National Forest Rally Championship takes us to the Wicklow Mountains, organised by the Motor Enthusiast's Club and sponsored by The Coach House Roundwood. The crews will tackle a compact route of 6 stages, 3 done twice including a 10- mile version of the renowned Glenealy stage. First car away at 10.30 Sunday morning. Service will be at Avondale House after stages 2 & 5.

Top seed John McCarthy/ Dan Maguire (Impreza 555) are favourite's as they go for three in a row. Edddie Kinirons/ Greg Shinnors (Celica GT 4) have been second on the first two rounds, now on home ground Eddie's first win can't be far away. Dermot Kelly/ John Brennan (Escort WRC) will be determined to stop McCarthy in his tracks, Kelly's WRC should be refettled in time, they will need a win here to challenge for the KBB Door's Championship. Kevin O'Kane/ Francis Regan (Impreza 555) were second last year and may go one better on Sunday. John Donnelly/ Greg McCarthy (Escort WRC) are on the pace now, as John adopts to his WRC machine. Another Escort WRC is that of Championship Sponsor Brian McCloskey/ Damian Duffin. John Shanahan/ Liam Mclaughlin (impreza) again expect to set the pace in GPN, their main rival James Cribbin/ Bob Kelly (Impreza) hope for better things after a broken wheel on ss1 put them out of round 2. Kevin Lynch/ Martin McNicholl (Impreza WRC) are coming to terms with their state of the art Impreza and could be one to watch after a fine 5th overall on last weekends Circuit of Kerry.

Forest Rallying is popular in Wicklow with 25% of the entry coming from locals. These lads travel the country each season supporting the Forest Championship, now it's their turn to battle on home ground. Former Champion's Niall Driver/ Frank Corrigan (Evo 6) are out for the first time this season. Paul Stauton/ Bruce Burges (mk2) are top 2WD seed and hope to rattle the WRC's as Glenealy is on Paul's doorstep. Colin Walsh/ Padraig Barry (Impreza) are hoping for a good top ten result. John Reid/ Brendan Greene (mk2) and William Smyth/ Stephen Kelly (mk2) will battle with Staunton for class 4 honours. The main local contest will be class 3, almost certain to be dominated by those rapid Wicklow mk's. Noel Driver/ Joe Shinnors are first class 3 car on the list but will face stiff competition from Kilternan's Brian Lawlor/ Peter Kavanagh, who will attack for the class victory and may even be in the running for fastest 2WD again after an outstanding drive on round 2. Jason Roche/ Patrick Roche are back after missing Mitchelstown. Danny Barry/ Timmy Chadwick are more local hopefuls for class 3. Jim Fagan/ Rachel Fagan are holding second in class 2 in the championship so far and will be one to watch for class 2 honours, followed by Ben Doran/ Ger Driver in the Civic and Stephen Driver/ Derek driver (205). Greystones' Lyod Hutchinson/ Lester Hutchinson (Mini) is the man setting the pace in class one in recent times. Other class one local contenders will be David Timmons/ Michael Healy (Starlet) and Kevin Flanagan/ Adrian Parry (Mini).

Class 6 is getting stronger with more contenders each event. Gus Kearney leads the class so far and after switching to a 206 took the honours in Mitchelstown. 206 Super Cup regular Graham McClintock/ Audrey Loughrey (206) make their return to the Irish Forests. Graham Quinn/ Martin Costello, Peter McCullagh/ Alan Dolan and Jason Kelly/ Adrian Foley all in 106's will push their pocket rockets up the leader board trying to earn valuable championship points.

<pre> Start Roundwood 10.30 Stage 1 10.55 Stage 2 11.30 Service 11.54 (30 mins) Avondale Hse car Park Stage 3 12.45 Stage 4 13.40 Stage 5 14.12 Service 14.35 (30 mins) Avondale Hse car Park Stage 6 15.25 Finish Roundwood 16.10

-www.irish-rallying.com

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