Carrowmore-Lacken native Paul McGee is well on his way to clinching the prestigious 2010 Kick Energy Fiesta SportTrophy (FST ) Ireland Championship. It follows another successful event for the co-driver on this week-end’s Killarney International Rally. Navigating for Monaghan’s Stephen Wright, the duo took a dominant series victory in Kerry, their third successive win from the three rounds in the FST championship to date. With five rounds from six counting towards the title, Wright and McGee are now in a very strong championship position ahead of June’s Donegal International Rally. The winners of the FST Championship will get a Ford works supported drive in the 2010 Condroz Rally, the final round of the Belgian Rally Championship.
Another Mayo competitor putting in a strong performance in a one make series in Killarney this weekend was Shane Buckley. The Ballyhaunis man is competing in the Citroen Racing Trophy championship in his C2R2 Max. Despite some problems with power steering, Buckley, who was co-driven by Meath’s Thomas Maguire, was consistently on the pace throughout the event, and finished in a very creditable third in the series and an impressive 13th overall. Another Mayo man, David Carney, is also taking part in the championship, and the young Aughagower man brought his Citroen home safely in 22nd overall in the national section of the rally.
In the full International Rally, Mayo and District Motorsport Club’s Aaron MacHale fought back well over the closing stages in his Ford Focus WRC to claim second overall behind event winner Denis Cronin. Another Mayo competitor to make his mark was Kiltimagh’s John Higgins, who co-drove Cork’s Brian O’Mahony to sixth overall as well as finishing the highest placed two wheel drive car in their Renault Clio S1600.
Open night for those looking to get involved in motorsport
Are you interested in getting involved in motorsport but don’t know where or how to start? Well, Mayo and District Motorsport Club may be able to help. The club is holding an open night on Friday May 14 at the McWilliam Hotel in Claremorris commencing at 8pm. Aimed at providing practical advice and information on how to start participating in motorsport, the focus will be on opportunities with cheaper forms of the sport such as autocross. Club members will be on hand to offer advice and practical tips, while some rally and autocross cars will be available for inspection.
