Brendan Kelly Rallying Press Release

Posted: July 16, 2002 4:53 PM - 7583 Hits

After months of anxiously waiting, Brendan and Cathal are finally getting their first competitive run in their new Ford Focus Rally Car when they compete at this weekend's World Rally Experience in Punchestown Racecourse in Co Kildare.

Posted: July 16, 2002 4:53 PM

The Event
Anxieties are high with both the prospect of competing in front of tens of thousands of spectators but also alongside two of the greats of Rallying, Billy Coleman and Colin McRae.

The brainchild of Former WRC Co Driver, Ronan Morgan World Rally Experience takes place on Sunday July 21st and comprises of an entry that any round of the World Rally Championship would be proud of. Including an array of Subaru, Toyota and Ford World Rally Cars at the hands of among many others Andrew Nesbitt, Austin Mc Hale, Patrick Snijers and Peadar Hurson, Paul Harris. Although the event is not a competing round of the challenge, Brendan in his usual determined form would be out to show just what the others could expect from him.

Indeed as Championship Co-ordinator Tom Collins has quoted "Punchestown World Rally Masters along with the chance to compete against Colin McRae, is an exceptional opportunity for all the competitors of the 2002 Ford Ireland Focus Rally Championship. It allows all of the competitors an opportunity to get to grips with their new cars and each other before the real competition starts in August".

New Navigator
This year Brendan has a new but experienced navigator in Athlone man Cathal Shanahan. Cathal who’s 28 and recently married to Jean lists his hobbies as rallying, soccer, running, fishing and clay pigeon shooting. Cathal started rallying in 1998 and has sat in a variety of cars including Honda Civics’, Ford Escort Mrk II’s, Escort G3’s, and a Sierra Cosworth, but is really looking forward to their run and the challenge ahead.

The Car Brendan’s car has been meticulously prepared by Protec Racing and is finished in a cross between the colours of the new Ford Rally team and those of the “old” Ford works colours.The car is powered by a Zetec Iron Block, aluminium cylinder head, 4 cylinder, 16 valve, 1989 cc, with lightened flywheel, steel crankshaft, wet sump to Front wheel drive via 5 speed close ratio MTX75 with revised final drive and limited slip differential.

“ The car is great , I am really impressed with its handling and balance.I cant really compare it to the Grp N Astra as I really haven’t driven it in anger.From what I’ve tried the Zetec engine appears to have more pulling power / torque but I will have to wait and see when the flag drops” was how a smiling Brendan commented after a recent shakedown session.

Sponsors
Without the generous help of the following companies we would not be able to compete in 2002

Focus Challenge 2002
Initially comprising of the main Irish International Rallies, the first round Donegal had to be postponed due to late arrival of ECU’s. The proposed revised format will be made up the following.


Aug 11th                   Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally

Sept 22nd                  Clare Stages Rally (To be confirmed)

Sept 6th/7th                Ulster International Rally

Oct 5th/6th                  Cork “20” International Stages Rally

Nov 8th/9th                 West 2002 International Rally

Brendan and Cathal's Progress throughout the year can be followed on
www.brendankellyrallying.com

Topics: Punchestown Rallysprint

Brendan Kelly Rallying Press Release

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