The Citroën Irish Tarmac Rally Championship bursts back into action this weekend with round two of the 2010 series - the UTV Drive Circuit of Ireland Rally!
 
The cross-border event features 15 stages, including an 18-mile night stage, with day one based near Newry and Banbridge, while day two's tests are located between Carrickmacross and Crossmaglen.
 
Championship leaders, Gareth MacHale and Brian Murphy, will start the event with number one on the doors of their Ford Focus WRC. The crew claimed outright victory at the opening round in Galway, and are in the hunt for their maiden Circuit of Ireland Rally win.
 
"I have fond memories of the battle with Eamonn Boland in 2008," MacHale recalled. "We just lost out on that occasion, and last year we had some mechanical problems but fought our way to third. Hopefully, this year will be a good rally for us."
 
MacHale will face stiff opposition from a number of contenders, including former Irish Tarmac champion and three times 'Circuit' winner, Derek McGarrity.
 
"Winning the event three years in a row will always stand out for me," McGarrity admitted. "I remember the last year that I won, in 2005, I went into the final stage leading by three seconds. Winning after that was quite satisfying."
 
Meath's Tim McNulty is another man with his eye on the prestigious trophy. Like MacHale, he is also in the hunt for his maiden Circuit win, and he will be full of confidence after claiming victory at the West Cork Rally less than two weeks ago.
 
Aaron MacHale and Kevin Barrett complete the top five seeds, while Craig Breen is at number six in his Ford Fiesta S2000. Breen impressed at the opening round of the Citroën sponsored series in Galway, where he claimed second overall. He is only one point behind Championship leader Gareth MacHale.
 
The production category will also see round one Group N winner, Alastair Fisher, lock horns with Garry Jennings and Richard Cathcart, not to mention Alan Ring, who holds third in class in the series standings.
 
The event also marks the second round of the Citroën Racing Trophy, which Robert Barrable leads after his victory over Martin McCormack at round one. The tussle will also be fierce among the Fiesta Sport Trophy crews, not to mention the Modified Challenge and Historic competitors.
 
The UTV Drive Circuit of Ireland Rally gets underway on Saturday morning with the Dundalk Rally Show. Action starts in earnest during the afternoon and the winner will be crowned in Newry on Sunday. More details can be found online at www.irishtarmac.com.
The Citroën Irish Tarmac Rally Championship bursts back into action this weekend with round two of the 2010 series - the UTV Drive Circuit of Ireland Rally!
 
The cross-border event features 15 stages, including an 18-mile night stage, with day one based near Newry and Banbridge, while day two's tests are located between Carrickmacross and Crossmaglen.
 
Championship leaders, Gareth MacHale and Brian Murphy, will start the event with number one on the doors of their Ford Focus WRC. The crew claimed outright victory at the opening round in Galway, and are in the hunt for their maiden Circuit of Ireland Rally win.
 
"I have fond memories of the battle with Eamonn Boland in 2008," MacHale recalled. "We just lost out on that occasion, and last year we had some mechanical problems but fought our way to third. Hopefully, this year will be a good rally for us."
 
MacHale will face stiff opposition from a number of contenders, including former Irish Tarmac champion and three times 'Circuit' winner, Derek McGarrity.
 
"Winning the event three years in a row will always stand out for me," McGarrity admitted. "I remember the last year that I won, in 2005, I went into the final stage leading by three seconds. Winning after that was quite satisfying."
 
Meath's Tim McNulty is another man with his eye on the prestigious trophy. Like MacHale, he is also in the hunt for his maiden Circuit win, and he will be full of confidence after claiming victory at the West Cork Rally less than two weeks ago.
 
Aaron MacHale and Kevin Barrett complete the top five seeds, while Craig Breen is at number six in his Ford Fiesta S2000. Breen impressed at the opening round of the Citroën sponsored series in Galway, where he claimed second overall. He is only one point behind Championship leader Gareth MacHale.
 
The production category will also see round one Group N winner, Alastair Fisher, lock horns with Garry Jennings and Richard Cathcart, not to mention Alan Ring, who holds third in class in the series standings.
 
The event also marks the second round of the Citroën Racing Trophy, which Robert Barrable leads after his victory over Martin McCormack at round one. The tussle will also be fierce among the Fiesta Sport Trophy crews, not to mention the Modified Challenge and Historic competitors.
 
The UTV Drive Circuit of Ireland Rally gets underway on Saturday morning with the Dundalk Rally Show. Action starts in earnest during the afternoon and the winner will be crowned in Newry on Sunday. More details can be found online at www.irishtarmac.com.