MOTOR SPORT: Daniel Carlsson (Sweden) in a Subaru WRC and Freddie Loix (Belgium) in a Suzuki Ignis lead off the first Rally Ireland from Sligo tomorrow. Although the top three in the Irish Tarmac championship, Eugene Donnelly, Tim McNulty and Derek McGarrity, have not entered, there is plenty of quick drivers in the top 10 to ensure close competition.
Ulstermen Andrew Nesbitt and Kevin Lynch will no doubt set a fast pace in their Subaru WRC's, as will also the Ford Focus WRC trio of Austin McHale, Eamon Boland and last weekend's Rally Yorkshire winner Matthew Wilson.
Forestry experts Gareth McHale and Glenn Allen in Toyota Corolla WRC's, as well as Lynch, should take advantage of Sunday's forest stages. Eastonian Jaan Molder takes on the top Irish Group N contenders, headed by Gary Jennings, Roy White, Seamus Leonard, Willie Fannin, Seamus Donnelly and Aaron McHale.
Rally Ireland is a pilot event in Ireland's ambitious bid to stage a World Rally Championship round in 2007.
The mayor of Sligo, Rosaleen O'Grady and the chairman of Fermanagh District Council, Stephen Huggett will officiate at this evening's 9pm ceremonial start in Sligo.
The first leg tomorrow starts at 8am and will comprise six stages on tarmac in Sligo and Leitrim, in the Isle of Innishfree, Lough Gill, Lough Melvin and Manorhamilton areas.
From Sunday's restart at Enniskillen Airport the rally will cover six off-road stages on gravel in the forests of Fermanagh. In keeping with a WRC event most of the stages are between 25km and 22km in length. Rally Ireland is a joint initiative of Fáilte Ireland and the Northern Ireland Events Company (NIEC), and is being organised by Motorsport Ireland.
Meanwhile, Michael Cullen has a six-point lead over Ange Barde of France as the two rivals race for the European Ferrari Challenge in the weekend's Ferrari World Finals at Mugello, near Florence in Italy. Fellow Dublin driver Paddy Shovlin is third in the series.
Co Kildare-based Leastone racing car constructors have announced a 10,000 prize fund for a new Formula five Championship in 2006.
The Leastone Formula Five, with 900cc Suzuki motorcycle engine, is being sold at the reduced cost of €14,000 plus VAT. The cars are eligible for the Formula Four class in the UK.
Niall Breen has been nominated young racing driver of the month for September. The 19-year-old Dundalk driver competed in Formula BMW in Britain this year.
WEEKEND FIXTURES: Saturday: Rally Ireland, starts Sligo, 8.00am. Tipperary LC & MCC, 4x4 Trial, Dualla, Cashel, CoTipperary, 11am.
Sunday: Rally Ireland, restarts Enniskillen, 8.00am; Tipperary 4x4 Trial, Dualla, 11am.
