Tommy Graham plans busy season

One of the most popular drivers in the country, Tommy Graham, is undertaking his busiest season ever in 2003 by participating in no less than four Rally Championships. The Kildare businessman's recently acquired Subaru 98 WRC, which was once in the capable hands of former World Champion Juha Kankunnen, has been fully prepared to the latest specification by McNeill Motorsport, Ballymena, for the many challenges that lie ahead.

The first event Tommy and his team at Tommy Graham Rallysport will contest is the West Cork Rally on St. Patrick's Weekend, the opening round of both the Get Connected Anglo Irish Tarmac Rally Championship and the 023 Tiles Southern 4 Rally Series. After a short break, back to back, 2-day events in May follow with the Killarney International Rally of the Lakes and the Manx National Rally on the Isle of Man, which are part of the Toshiba Computers Irish Tarmac Rally Championship and Get Connected/Southern 4 Championships respectively.

In June, two rounds of the Dunlop National Rally Championship will then be tackled in Limerick and Tipperary. After that it's another trip "across the water" for two further rounds of the Get Connected Championship -- the 2-day Harry Flatters and Mewla (in Wales). It's back to Irish soil for the two-day Wexford Rally (Southern 4 Championship) and the month of October concludes an action packed season with no less than three events on the schedule -- the Cork 20 (Toshiba), Lindisferne (Get Connected) and the Fastnet Rally in Skibbereen (Dunlop/Get Connected/Southern 4).

Tommy Graham has been involved in various forms of motorsport for the past 19 years. During that time, he has become known and respected as a competitive and exciting driver. His motorsport career began participating in grass track events before moving into Hot Rods. After achieving much success there, Tommy progressed into Rallycross events and graduated into rallying five years ago. He has been very successful in every branch of the sport, and his achievements have included National Awards in every category in which he has competed -- Grasstrack, all classes of Hot Rods and Rallycross. Tommy has also represented his country at International events on several occasions.

For his 2003 campaign, Tommy is partnered by experienced co-driver Francis Kenny from Ballyhaunis, County Mayo. At present Tommy is negotiating with several companies with a view in coming on board as primary sponsors. Full details will be announced shortly.

Away from the rally scene, Tommy is a Sand and Gravel merchant based in Prosperous, County Kildare and has won a number of prizes at the Irish Truck Show in Mondello for his high quality fleet of tipper trucks. Pictured below is Tommy Graham (right) with Navigator Francis Kenny.

-imn-