Fisher top local seed for Lakeland Stages

Editorial Department • Published 10 Sep 2010 09:00 0 Comments

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Pictured at the launch of the Lakeland Stages Rally are back from left, Ian Cochrane, Managing Director, Fisher Engineering; Brian Durnien, Durnien Fruit & Veg; Terry McCartney, Belmore Court & Motel and Marc Johnston, Simple Energy Solutions; Front from left, Ian McCutcheon, Deputy Clerk of the Course; Drew Wilson, Deputy Clerk of the Course and Keith Boyd, Clerk of the Course.<<

The chances of a local driver winning this Saturday’s Fisher Engineering Lakeland Stages Rally lie in the hands of Alastair Fisher, who will be hoping to go one better than his second placed finish last year. The Trillick driver is the top local seed in the Enniskillen Motor Club event but he faces stiff competition, particularly from the Subaru of multiple Circuit of Ireland winner Derek McGarrity.

At a time of diminishing entries in rallies throughout Ireland the reputation of the event has helped buck the current trend, and a strong entry list of almost 70 cars will tackle the stages in the North West of the county. With the Northern Ireland Stage Rally Championship reaching its climax the regular top crews are sure to be pushing hard to maximise their points haul, with the forestry roads of the Fermanagh based event widely recognised as among some of the best in the province.

Stuart Biggerstaff currently leads the series from Mark Donnelly and Derek McGarrity and with only four rounds of the series remaining the scramble for points is becoming increasingly important. Behind the leading championship contenders there are a host of local crews battling for class honours.

Shane McGirr, Errol Clarke, Marc Johnston, Andrew Trotter, Paul McShea, Johnny Leonard and Kris Farrell are among the local entrants in with a chance of success, and Patsy Keenan is making a special trip all the way from America to compete.

Clerk of the Course Keith Boyd reckons the event has all the ingredients to be memorable for the spectators who are expected to line the forestry tracks in large numbers. “The forests in the west of the province are second to none, and the Lakeland stages is always a very competitive event,” he said. “Although entries have been down across the country this year we are pleased at the number of entrants we have attracted, and the quality on show should provide a real treat for the local fans. It should be a great day’s action.”

Scrutiny for the rally takes place at Fisher Engineering in Ballinamallard on Friday evening. The first car leaves the Ballinamallard start ramp at 10am on Saturday morning before tackling a loop of four stages. After a service at Garrison the crews then repeat the same four stages before the finish at the Killyhevlin Hotel in Enniskillen just after 4pm.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 09 Sep 10

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