Posted: February 16, 2003 8:19 PM - 6549 Hits
The Ford Rallyesport KA Rally Championship once again returns for its fifth consecutive season, with all 15 Pirelli shod Ford KA's starting with the Carrick-on-Suir Forestry Rally on the 23rd of February next.
The Ford KA Rally Championship is renowned for its closely fought battles as only a handful of seconds have separated each of the crews in the past and for 2003 the trend is set to continue. For the first time in the Irish Championships history, the 2003 the Ford Rallyesport KA Rally Championship will consist of two forestry rounds, which will "spice" up the action for the competing crews.
Posted: February 16, 2003 8:19 PM
"We are delighted that that the 2003 Ford Rallyesport KA Rally Championship is entering into its fifth season, the championship has gone from strength to strength over the last four seasons and I feel that 2003 will be one of the best ever. As the Ka Rally Championship is going into the forests and also that the majority of the drivers are under 25 years of age, it should provide both the competitors and the general public with some really good close competition.", said Tom Collins, Championship Director.
The sons of two of Irelands Rallying legends have joined the 2003 series, Gordon Coleman son of Billy Coleman and Keith Lyons son of Ken Lyons will be battling for the overall honours along with the other crews.
Underlining the Ford Motor Company's support for Irish driving talent the 2002 Ford KA Rally Champion, Gerry Keyes is moving up to the 2003 Ford Ireland Focus Rally Championship.
The 2003 Ford KA Rally Championship is supported by Ford Rallyesport, Pirelli Tyres and Champion Spark PlugsROUND DATE EVENT 1 23rd February Carrick Forestry 2 6th April Circuit of Kerry 3 11th May Carlow Stages 4 26-27th July Cork Forestry 5 10th August Stonethrowers 6 6th October Cork 20 Competitors: Ian Chadwick Cork Gordon Coleman Mallow John Doolan Clonmel Eoin Fogarty Roscrea Cathal Greaney Galway Trevor Hutton Carlow Mark Kane Tullamore Martin Laverty Magerafelt Ian Liston Athea, Co. Limerick Keith Lyons Limerick Kenneth Mulvaney Sligo Vivian Noone Cashel Emily O'Mahony Cork Gary Reidy Adare Walter Walsh Waterford