Mitsubishi Evo drivers have dominated the championship since the start and Liam Ryan heads the points table with 72 points, just eight points ahead of Owen Murphy. Murphy, however, has the considerable advantage of having better quality score when it comes to dropping points. In this six round championship, it is the four best results that are counted and Murphy has three maximums cores. Another maximum score in Omagh will see Murphy claim his first rally championship. Even if he finishes ahead of Ryan, he lifts the title.
With five points covering third place to sixth, there will be no shortage of competition for the last position on the podium. Heading the quartet is Vincent McAree who was a strong contender for the overall award until his retirement on the last round, he has 55 points one point ahead of Ger Lucey. The former autocross champion is much more competitive since he changed his Celica for the Evo. Paul Fitzgerald is the leading Escort driver with 51 points and he also leads the 2WD class, a point ahead of rapidly improving Stephen Wright, also Evo mounted.
In the 2WD class Fitzgerald has a commanding lead of 76 points, 19 ahead of Shane McGirr (Starlet). Third and fourth are claimed by junior drivers Douglas Stewart (206) and Derek Butler (Civic) on 56 and 49 respectively. Frank Kelly (Escort) is fifth with 42 points thanks to two maximum scores in this class, and if he wins the 2WD section on Saturday and on the final round, he is the champion. If Kelly doesn't win this class on Saturday, the title fight between Fitzgerald and McGirr could go to the last round in Down.
The Junior category is another very significant class, where the top two finishers are eligible for the prestigious Billy Coleman award with a prize fund of circa fifty thousand euro. The current BillyColeman champion is Robert Barrable, who is starring at home and abroad in his Skoda Fabia S2000. After four rounds in the 2011 championship, Douglas Stewart leads with 42 points, six ahead of Derek Butler. Stewart has three maximum scores against one for Butler. With another maximums core Stewart is junior forestry champion for 2011. Like the Valvoline overall award and the 2WD, it ain't over until the fat lady sings.
The Buswhacker is based in Omagh with the rally HQ at the Silverbirch Hotel. It starts at 9.30am Saturday 24th September with a total route of 195km. There will be 11 special stages with a total distance of 60km, with service at Aikens Caravan Centre in Castlederg. The rally is also Round Eight of the Northern Ireland Rally Challenge and Round Six of the Ford Fiesta Sport Trophy Ireland.
