 Can Boland Claim the Hat-Trick?
Rally Report 1
The Talbot Hotel Wexford Rally will take place on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th of September with the winner of the last two years, Eamonn Boland, aiming for an unprecedented hat-trick of wins.
Boland and his navigator Damien Morrissey became the first ever Wexford-based winners two years ago, and successfully defended their title last September.
But this time around, the opposition will be stronger than ever judging by the entry list. No less than four other World Rally Cars will challenge Boland and with the various championships that are still to be decided, spectators are in for an exciting weekend.
The 28th Wexford Rally, always one of the most anticipated in the rally calendar, will again be based at the Talbot Hotel, Wexford. The Talbot Hotel is again one of the main sponsors of the event and without whose support, the rally wouldn't take place.
Clerk of the Course Pat O'Dowd, along with officials of the organisers, Wexford Motor Club, have set new challenges for the drivers and their navigators.
The Saturday stages will be based from the service area at County Wexford Marts in Enniscorthy. The three stages will be in the Milehouse, Castledockrell and Caim areas, with the stages being repeated three times.
Sunday will see the rally move south of Wexford town with the service area on the Wexford ring road between the Rosslare and New Line roundabouts. The stages will concentrate on Cleariestown, Mayglass and Tomhaggard areas.
Once again, the RIAC limit of 130 competitors will be met, proving the popularity of the Wexford Rally.
The high class entry list includes the following:
The starting order over the weekend is expected to read: 1 Eamonn Boland, 2 Pete Doughty, 3 John Price, 4 Paul Harris, 5 Gwyndaf Evans, 6 Ray Breen, 7 Gary Midwinter, 8 Derek Smith, 9 Gavin Harris, 10 Chris Griffiths.
In the Triton Showers South East Stages Championship, Keith Colton, Edward Lyons and Liam Wall are all in with a chance of winning Class 1. James Lambert, Michael Nevin, Derek Brennan and Billy Collins will contest Class 2. Class 3 has John Tracey, Tomas O'Rourke and John Rooney seeking honours with David Lynch, and john Sheehan trying to claim Class 5. Pat Loracy seems to have Class 4 already to himself.
The Yokohama Southern Four title is being contested between Denis Cronin, Donie O'Sullivan, Bob Fowden and Jonathan Jennings.
The Safety Devices Championship brings John Price, Chris Griffiths, Nicky Moore, Malcolm Geddis and Guy Woodcock to the Wexford Rally seeking a win to give them the title.
Adrian Evans is pushing John Morgan hard for the West Wales Rally Spares Welsh Tarmac title, whilst the Wexford Motor Club Driver of the Year Championship has David James occupying top spot, with Brian Byrne and Tommy Ryan holding the two places behind him.
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