A new challenge for the Kelly brothers in Killarney

Posted: April 25, 2000 7:09 PM

Co-driven by younger brother Fergal, Donagh Kelly's consistent career performances have seen him notch up 9 class wins since he first started competing in 1995.

Now, with the Puma Championship placing the onus on each crews' ability to contend in identically prepared cars, the 28-year-old is relishing the challenge:

"Myself and the Team are really looking forward to the Puma Championship. Of course we'd like to place ourselves at the forefront of the competition relatively early in the season, but we'll have to wait and see."

Speaking at a pre-season test Donagh added, "So far we haven't had any competitive mileage in the Puma and I'm unfamiliar with left-hand-drive, so Killarney is set to be a steep learning curve for us - we're planning a cautious start!"

This year's Rally of the Lakes will boast one of the most outstanding entry lists ever produced for an Irish Rally - the Kelly brother's face a tough challenge amidst an impressive field that includes 6 World Rally Cars in the top ten.

Encompassing 18 challenging stages that include the legendary Molls Gap, the event runs over two days with the first car leaving the Gleneagles Hotel at 9am on Saturday to complete the 9 stages of Leg 1. The cars resume on Sunday morning after the overnight halt in to finish the remaining stages of this popular event.

The International Rally of the Lakes is the first round of the Ford Puma Euro Rally Challenge and the 2000 Toshiba Equium Tarmac Championship.