The time for talking is over, as we enter the final countdown
for 2009’s most titanic tarmac tussle: it’s revs up for the
ToddsLeap.com Ulster International Rally!
With the start only hours away for Northern Ireland’s most eagerly
awaited motorsport spectacular, fans and crews alike can focus on
the two days of high octane heaven, as top crews from the UK,
Ireland and Europe tighten their straps and take on some of the
trickiest stages this island has to offer!
Leading this year’s contenders into the fray will be four times
Irish Tarmac Champion Eugene Donnelly – his pocket rocket Skoda
Fabia WRC possibly the ideal tool to demolish the opposition on
what looks to be a rain slicked rally…
At number two it’s Focus WRC mounted Gareth MacHale – the honour of
Irish rallying’s ‘royal family’ in his capable hands, while hoping
to ‘sink’ the two men in his sights will be S12 ‘Sub’ skipper Derek
McGarrity, whose confidence is cresting a wave after multiple
Hankook NI series victories this year!
The International entry list reads like the top table at a banquet
of speed – with Mark Higgins, Keith Cronin, Gwyndaf Evans, Glenn
Allen, Darren Gass, Alastair Fisher and Jonny Greer rounding out
the top ten.
The National rally entry is no less appetising, with the Mk2
Maestro himself Camillus Bradley heading a field that includes the
likes of Adrian Heatherington, George Robinson and Gary White. The
Challenge Rally will see top two wheel drive action as the Fiesta
ST crews battle it out!
The Ulster is true petrolhead paradise, because the field contains
every crowd-pleasing classic on four wheels including Twin Cams,
RS1600s and Porsche 911s! Add in the rushin’ roulette
unpredictability of forecast heavy downpours, and we have a playing
field that will really sort the men from the boys!
The action begins with the ceremonial start from Antrim’s
Courthouse Square at 1430 on Friday, with servicing at Junction One
throughout Friday and Saturday. Head for Antrim this weekend –
it’ll be a real blast from start to finish