UK raiders target Wexford success – Motorsport Ireland Weekend Preview
Wexford Motor Club will run their annual stages rally this weekend, based out of the Riverbank House Hotel in Wexford Town. The event is a counting round of the South East Stages Rally Championship and the compact 210km, 12 stage, 2-day rally is the only one of its kind in the South East, drawing big interest from both home and abroad. UK driver, Mark Straker will lead the field away on Saturday morning in his mid engined Darrian and Straker is joined by 3 other UK drivers in the top 10 with Steve Wood starting at number 3 in his Subaru World Rally Car, Sean Crowley at number 9 in his unusual Mitsubishi Colt and Simon Chapman rounding out the top 10 in his Proton. The visitors will have to work hard to earn a result however with the likes of Paddy McVeigh and top local driver, James Stafford more than capable of taking the honours. Stafford, a twice winner of the event will be looking to complete the hat-trick this weekend in his Darrian with Richard Cleary in the co-drivers seat. Also buried in the top 10 are three of Ireland’s most spectacular Mark 2 Escort drivers in the form of Wesley Patterson, Adrian Hetherington and Frank Kelly.
This year also sees the introduction of the WMC Modified Tar Masters. The Wexford rally has always been one which has been aimed at the clubman, and therefore the club have moved to introduce some new awards which will see both the winning 1650cc modified car and the winning 2100cc modified car pick up an extra trophy and more importantly, 2 Kumho Tyres sponsored By Ears Motorsport in Cork. A ceremonial start will take place on Friday evening along the quay in Wexford Town at 7pm before the action starts on Saturday morning with the first car leaving event headquarters at9.15am. More information can be found by visiting www.wexfordmotorclub.ie.
Kartworld Adventure Centre in Watergrasshill, Co. Cork will be the venue for round 8 of the National Karting Championship. Munster Kart Club will run the event which is the penultimate round of the series. Practice will take place on Saturday before racing begins on Sunday at 11am.