McNulty and McAree go head to head again

Next Saturday's Down rally is the final round of the 2011 Valvoline Forest Rally Championship, writes Austin Shinnors PRO Valvoline National Forest Championship (pictured).

The rivalry between McNulty and McAree will be renewed on Saturday on the first tracks of south Down. While the big Valvoline prize has been claimed by Murphy on the Bushwhacker, all the other class awards are up for grabs on the Down rally, including the 2WD and junior classes.

Hosted by the Rathfriland MC and based in Castlewellan, the event will follow a similar format to last year, with the start and finish at Kings Inn in Lower Square. Centralised servicing will be in Castlewellan Forest Park. Seven special stages are planned in Rostrevor, Tollymore, Drumkeeragh, and Castlewellan with a total competitive distance of 64km/40 stage miles.

The Down rally is also a round of the Hankook Northern Ireland championship and Fiesta Sport Trophy Ireland series. Progress reports will be available on www.rallyscore.net