- Tom Collins
Focus Rally in Kilkenny at weekend
24 June 2003: The next round of Irelands premier one make rally championship, the 2003 Ford Ireland Focus Rally Championship sees no fewer than nine Pirelli shod crews head to the medieval city of Kilkenny to compete on the Ravens Rock Rally, on the 29th of June.
With two separate winners from the last two rounds along with total domination of Class 7, the third round of this hotly contested series promises to create a few mores surprises. John Foley (Midleton) in the ASA Marketing Focus has been the revelation of the season so far scoring one win and a second place to lead the championship at this early stage, John also scored a resounding Class 7 victory at the Donegal International Rally last weekend beating the opposition by an amazing 8 minutes and finishing in 17th position overall.
Oliver Stanley (Durrow) in the Perry Motors Ford Focus despite many setbacks currently lies in a well deserved second position, the canny Durrow man will be the man to watch as the championship moves closer to his home turf.
Third placed Gerry Keyes (Limerick) the 2002 Ford Ireland KA Rally Champion has taken some time to get used to his new Focus however a fine third place on the last round has underlined the Limerick man’s competitive spirit and will be one of the men to watch.
The opening round victor Colm Murphy (Athea) in the Kingdom Fast Fit Ford Focus suffered appalling luck on the last round, uncharacteristically sliding off the road and into retirement, however Colm still lies in fourth position and is one of the men to beat when he says going.
©2003 irishcar.com