Excitement builds ahead of Cavan Rally
PREVIEW Strong local contingent to take to the Cavan roads
Over 150 crews are set to race 110kms of competitive stages as top flight rallying returns to County Cavan.
The Hotel Kilmore Stages Rally is set to take place on Sunday, May 28 much to the excitement of County Cavan Motor Club who are rolling out this year's event.
The rally is held in conjuction with associate sponsors, Wilton Waste Recycling, Fire Protection Ireland and Finish Line.
Course clerk, Steven Kellett and assistant Ger Hyland have dedicated months of work to ensure the safe and successful running of the event is paramount.
With the lure of getting a run-on the local roads, organisers received over 230 entries.
Amongst the drivers eager to sink their teeth into the Breffni byways are Gary Kiernan and James Fulton. The pairing have revived the old partnership for this one. Gary is the current leader of the Mk2 Challenge in the Triton National Rally Championship. However he will be behind the wheel of his recently acquired R5 Fiesta. Will the time needed to break in a new car dent their hopes, or could Kiernan and Fulton become the first all Cavan team on the winners' rostrum? Stranger things have happened!
Also in R5 machinery is Stephen McCann. The Olcastle driver is no stranger to success having previously won Banna mini stage and came second overall in Wexford 2019.
Pat Shields and John Kelly will bring their Mk1 Escort with the intent of a strong showing in Class 9; however competition for class honours will come from Seamus Cooke and Niall McGaughran in their Mk2 example.
In Class 10 Eamonn and Brian Rudden will have their prestigious Chevette battling for the class victory. Class 11f Jack Brunton alongside Briege Reilly (Honda Civic) will battle it out with Sean McConnell and Anthony McDonald in their Citroen C2R2.
Class 11r probably has the strongest showing of local talent. Seven locals will go at it and see who comes out on top.
Fresh from success in Killarney Conor Lappin, who has Ryan Graham strapped in on this occasion, will be the Escort pace setter. Others in Escorts, who will be very close in pace will be Craig Rahill/Conor Smith as will Damien O'Reilly and Daragh Maguire;
But hoping the car in front will be a Toyota are Ben McIntyre and Andrew Wedlock looking to head the similar Starlet of Paul Crosby/Eoin Lennon or the Twin Cam Corolla of Gabriel Farry/Niamh Pickens but Barney Greenan could be the dark horse of the class!
Current Autocross champion Joe Smith, with neice Alanna in the hotseat, has had numerous successful runs over the years, long may it continue. But hot on the heels this year will be Gene Callan/Declan Brady for class 12 Escort bragging rights. Class 13 has the prestigious honour of winning the Paddy Kiernan memorial trophy. The Escort mounted crews of Tim Flood and Anthony Smith, Gene McDonald and Emmett Kelly or Paul and Kieran Monaghan will try to keep the Startlets of Aaron McIntyre and Paul McPhillips or Sean Sharkey and Martin Byrne at bay - but the 25 other crews may also have something to say.
Class 14 will fight it out for the Joe McGurk award, and again what a line up! Chris Armsrmtrong with Darren Curran or the returning Rodney Wilton and Conor McMahon will have the opportunity to keep the award at home. With 26 starters in that class - where skill and commitment levels are second to none - it really is going to be a case of winner takes all.
Class 16 is yet another hotly contested honour and Junior supremo Jack McKenna with Damien Doherty in the hotseat will be all out for the win and further add to his title campaign.
Class 20 sees Willie Fannin and Adrian Foley lock horns with Cavan stalwart Gerry McIntyre with Paul Clarke on the notes.
Tommy Rogers and Stephen Cooke along with Kevin Cole and Matthew Kirwan are playing down their choice of competitive machinery, but all will be revealed before the start ramp!
The club thank all of their sponsors for their continued help and association. To all the competitors thanks for your entries and to all willing marshals we invite you to contact us via our Facebook page for any assistance you may be able to offer.