Press Release 3: Top drivers confirmed for rally Denis J Downey Transport Ltd Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally 2013. Organised & Promoted by Cork Motor Club. Round 5 of the Valvoline Forest Rally Championship. The Press Launch With near record breaking temperatures and drought officially declared, one would be forgiven for mistaking the Ballyhoura Mountains for those of the Acropolis in recent weeks. Thankfully, with temperatures returning to a much more pleasant level and with light rain forecast in the coming days, Clerk of the Course, Sean Daly’s plans are falling perfectly into place. With Sunday August 18th now looming large on the horizon Sean and the team are busy dotting the I’s, crossing the T’s and making sure everything is one hundred per cent for what is set to be one of the best forest rallies of 2013. The Mediterranean style weather has yielded its benefits on the stages, with almost zero rainfall and all surface preparations having been made in exceptionally dry conditions, the route is in truly immaculate condition. “We couldn’t be happier with the last few weeks” commented Sean Daly. “The stages were in superb condition when selected back in February and with the recent dry spell and effort put in by all the CMC team our stages are now very special indeed.” Interest in the event is excellent and the entries have been steadily rolling in since publication of the event regulations. All the championship regulars are there along with a host of non-championship gravel experts who are making the trip to Cork in August. The line ups in both the 4wd and 2wd categories are a who’s who of top gravel crews. With names like Owen Murphy, Phillip Morrow, Michael O’Brien along with the Moffett brothers Sam and Josh to name just a few already entered, the battle up front is set to be fierce. The 2wd category is one of the strongest seen if the forests in recent years with all the top modified gravel men pitching to take the coveted 2wd Cork honours. The Valvoline Forest Rally Championship has proven itself to be one of the most competitive series out there this year with three different winners over the four rounds to date. The Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally is now set to be a real game changer as it is now make or break at the front of the Valvoline Forest Championship. Current championship leader Michael O’Brien is no stranger to North Cork having family ties to the village of Churchtown and being a previous winner of the event in 2009, he is sure to be quick from the outset in the Ballyhoura Mountains. Last year’s winner Owen Murphy is still well in contention for this year’s championship title and knows that a maximum score in Cork will put him in a very strong position especially when double points are considered. Owen has vast experience of the Cork Forest stages having been a front runner here for the last 5 years, a former rally and championship winner, his speed is unquestionable. However there always is a dark horse and this year it would take a cool customer to bet against Phillip Morrow. Phillip’s entry into the championship in January has set the stages alight and his battles with O’Brien and Murphy to date this year are already the stuff of legend. Phillip comes to Cork having won the opening round in Limerick and round four in Tipperary just recently and is the only driver in the championship to have two wins to his name so far in 2013. Currently lying second in the points table, Phillip’s razor sharp lines and outright speed could prove to be a perfect combination for the smooth, fast and flowing Cork stages. The 2wd section is proving to be a real mouth-watering affair with championship regulars Shane McGirr and Michael Conlon set to have some very serious competition in Cork. “The Two Reindeer” Frank Kelly and Adrian Hetherington make a welcome return to the Cork Forest stages in their 2.5 Escorts along with the ever spectacular Martin McCormack in his screaming historic MK2. Add Seamus O’Connell into the mix along with former Ulster National winner Ian Millar and the scene is set for some serious sideways action and titanic battles. Can Kelly and Hetherington get the 2.5’s to put the power down, will Conlon and McGirr’s current run of form shade the day or can McCormack take a historic 2wd victory in Cork, who knows but one thing is for sure, it will be fabulous to watch. The Cork Motor Club is also delighted to announce that we have secured an entry from recent Swansea Bay Rally winner Sara Williams. Sara a native of Wales was introduced to the Cork Forest Rally team at the Willie Loughman Carrick Forest Rally back in March of this year. Since then Sara and the team have kept in constant contact and having heard nothing but top reports about the Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally, Sara confirmed an entry even before regulations were available. Sara will no doubt add her own style and proven ability to an already impressive line-up in her Subaru Impreza N12b. The Rally launch takes place at Rally Head Quarters, The Corbett Court Ballyhea on Tuesday July 30th at 8pm and will feature a display of forest rally cars along with one of the DJD Transport fleet as the background. COC Sean Daly will give members of the press and public a sneak preview into the event along with a run down on the stages and entries received to date. The Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally launch night has proved over the years to be one of the best social nights of the CMC calendar with finger food, light refreshments and good old fashioned banter all in abundance. All members and non-club members are welcome to come along and sample the atmosphere which is sure to be electric given the entries already confirmed and a few names and announcements which the club hope to have more news on at the launch night…..watch this space. Further information contact Ger Leahy 086 35 500 35 [email protected]
Posted on: Tue, 13 Aug 2013 14:45:28 +0000
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