Mark Donnelly and Paddy Robinson will be hoping to maintain momentum on the second round of the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship on this weekend’s Pirelli International Rally, where six crews will take part in the Citroën Racing Trophy UK.

The young Northern Irish driver won not only the opening round of the British series, but also leads the Citroën racing Trophy in Ireland, so must have a psychological advantage over his rivals ahead of the Cumbrian based event.

Second on the first round in Wales were Robert Barrable and Damien Connolly, but with a win on the opening Irish round, the County Dubliner must believe he can make it level pegging with a win apiece each side of the Irish Sea.

Unfortunately masses of experience and plenty of speed are countered by an equal amount of bad luck for Richard Sykes and Simon Taylor. The West Midlands one-make series veteran had a catastrophic engine failure on Rally North Wales, so will need a steady run to get some points on the board.

Luke Pinder and Peter Scott struggled to get to grips with their new steed back in March,. But the Yorkshireman ran well on a recent test event, finishing sixth overall on the Red Kite Stages last week, beating Sykes who was testing the new engine.

Australian Molly Taylor continues her own learning curve in the new car, continuing to benefit from guidance from reigning Citroën champion co-driver Phil Clarke. She admitted to being a bit rusty in Wales, but enjoys the Pirelli stages, having won the Rally 1 class there in 2009.

Joseph McGonigle is another Irishman trying his hand in a new Citroën with a new co-driver for 2010. They had a nightmare opening round and will want to at least complete the recce in Kielder, a luxury they missed out on in Wales after their recce car broke down.

Regardless of the winner on the Pirelli International Rally, the Citroën Racing Trophy protagonists are all keen to get their hands on a share of the €14,000 prize money on offer to the six drivers in Cumbria.

PIRELLI INTERNATIONAL RALLY

The Pirelli International Rally is based entirely at the Carlisle Racecourse from where it starts at 18.30, heading out for three stages in Kershope Forest. The event re-starts at 07.00 on Saturday with three loops of three stages, before returning to Carlisle for the ceremonial finish just before 19.00.