The event which will be running for the 31st time has proved to be as popular with competitors as ever even in these recession hit times. Some 151 cars will start in the main field and the downside of the events popularity is that there are over thirty drivers on the reserve list. As always there is a large variety of machinery even within the top 10.
Top seeds are 2008 winners Donie O’Sullivan and Paul Nagle in the very exciting Proton S2000. This is the car which proved ultra competitive in the hands of Niall McShea on Rally Ireland recently. John Dalton and Gwynfor Jones are at 2 in their rapid Darrian T90 GTR and will be hoping for dry roads help them to go one better than last year when they finished second. Long time competitors Liam McCarthy and Kieran Murphy will have their Corolla WRC out again at number 3 and are still looking for their first West Cork win.
Jim Harrison and Harvey Bell are making their first appearance in West Cork since 2002 when they finished 3rd overall. This was their best result overall in the event to date. They will start at number 4 and will be Subaru WRC mounted this year. 2005 winner Denis Cronin with Helen O’Sullivan on the notes in their older model Subaru WRC are at five. Rapid Welshman Phil Collins is at 6 in his potent Mk2 Escort with Derek Brannigan co-driving as usual.
Numbers 7 and 8 sees the top GpN runners go head to head. Keith Cronin/Greg Shinnors and Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy should have a big battle for supremacy over St.Patricks Weekend, and neither will be far away from the podium at the finish. James Stafford and Frank Dwyer will also be hoping to repeat last years fine fourth place in their Darrian T90 GTR and they will start at 9. Rounding off the top 10 is Carrigalines Brian O’Mahony with John Higgins on the notes in their Renault Clio S1600.
Outside of the top ten, the modified entry continues to be strong with entries of the calibre of Adrien Heatherington, Ashley Field, Kevin O’Donoghue, Manus Kelly and Edward O’Callaghan to name but a few. Trevor Bustard is the leading Mitsubishi Evo Challenge entrant at 26; Marty McCormack leads the Citroen C2 challenge from number 34, while Damien McCarthy does likewise in the Honda Cup at number 36.
Denis and Dan Moynihan lead the Historic Challenge in their Escort Mk1. Their rally will begin on Saturday afternoon on Stage 5. Billy McCarthy and John Falvey are the top seeds for the Junior Rally which will cover stages 13 to 16 on Sunday afternoon.
Accommodation may be still be sourced by contacting Joan White on 086 3776451, (00 353 86 3776451 from the UK) between 7pm and 9pm or by emailing joan@westcorkrally.com. For more details please log onto www.corkmotorclub.com or www.westcorkrally.com
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