John Rowan set for Championship opener
Thursday, 2 February 2012
Willie Mavitty and John Rowan will be back in action together at Sunday’s Safety Direct Galway International Rally.
MORE than 130 cars will take part in the opening round of the 2012 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship this Sunday, with Cushendall's John Rowan set to lead the charge in Group N. He will sit alongside Enniskillen's Willie Mavitty for the Safety Direct Galway International Rally - a one-day event comprising ten special stages on the west coast of Ireland.
The Mitsubishi Evo duo will hope to carry on where they left off last year following their top ten finishes at both the Castle Hellfire Stages in County Meath and Cork '20' International rallies.
However, conditions promise to be as changeable and as unpredictable as ever, with the privately backed crew preparing themselves for the usual mix of heavy showers and strong blustery winds.
Adding to the challenge is a host of proven Group N drivers, including Fermanagh's Gary Jennings, Donegal's Donagh Kelly, Kerry's Alan Ring and former Evo Challenge champion, Daniel Barry. Despite this, Rowan has set his sights on a top twenty finish, saying: "Considering Galway will be the first time we've been out in the car since October we feel that's a realistic target.
“There are twenty two crews running in front of us and all of them are very fast, but if they make a mistake, or are forced into retirement, then hopefully we'll be in a position to capitalise on that.
“In terms of Group N, we want to set stages times comparable to Alan Ring and James O'Brien. At the Cork '20' International Rally last year we were very close to them, so we're quietly confident."
“We're under no illusion that Galway is going to be an extremely challenging event but if we can finish strongly it will set us up nicely for the year ahead."
According to the Tarmac Rally Organisers Association (TROA), 50 per cent bonus points will be made available at Galway following their decision to make it a one-day competition.
Other changes to the opening round include a Super Special Stage that will take crews through the streets of Galway City for the first time in almost fifteen years.
By taking these steps TROA hopes to increase the appeal of the championship at a time when Irish Rallying is reeling from the economic slump.
Asked if he supported the move, Rowan said: "Shortening a rally like Galway isn't something I welcome, or like to see happening ... but I can understand their thinking behind it."
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