As well as vying for overall positions, the drivers and co-drivers in front-wheel-drive cars will also be battling for supremacy in the highly competitive Formula 2 category.
Currently leading the class for R1, R2 and R3 cars is Marty McCormack from Draperstown. Driving a factory-supported Citroën DS3, McCormack and co-driver David Moynihan from Cork also lie sixth in the overall standings and make no secret of the fact that, while they are eager to win the F2 title, they are also out to record a podium finish next weekend in what they regard as their home event. And, if previous form is anything to go by, they may well spring a surprise on their rivals in more powerful four-wheel-drive cars.
Estonian Siim Plangi is second of the F2 runners and he and co-driver Marek Sarapuu have certainly made a name for themselves with some spectacular performances in their R2 Renault Twingo. Their Autosport Technology team mates – Finns Mikko Pajunen and Jani Salo – are fourth in the category, whilst Irishman Craig Breen and Welsh co-driver Gareth Roberts split the two Renaults in their Fiesta.
However, Breen and Roberts won’t be appearing in Ulster next weekend, as they will be taking part in a round of the WRC Academy on the ADAC Rallye Deutschland. The same also applies to two other regular BRC F2 drivers: Ulsterman Alastair Fisher and Australian Molly Taylor.
After four rounds Nick Cristofaro leads the Fiesta SportTrophy, four points ahead of Breen, with Osian Pryce third. However, with just five points separating the top three, and Cristofaro also not appearing in Ulster, the leader board is destined to dramatically change next weekend.
Others that have proved they have the pace to win the battle of the F2s are Omagh’s Mark Donnelly who, together with co-driver Barry McNulty from Enniskillen, will certainly be one of the front-runners and are also likely to feature well in the overall positions. Also contenders for the front-wheel-drive podium are Englishman Callum Black with co-driver Paul Wakely from Wales in their Suzuki Swift, as well as Finns Jussi Kumpumäki and Mikael Korhonen in their Ford Fiesta.
The competitiveness of the Formula 2 category is particularly significant in light of the announcement by the BRC organisers earlier this season that in 2012 the British Championship will be exclusively for F2 cars. This news has been welcomed by many of the competitors, teams and manufacturers, who see it as a more affordable, more competitive and more sustainable platform for the future of the sport.
The Todds Leap Rally NI service park and HQ will be situated at Junction One International Outlet Shopping Centre on the northern side of Antrim. The first car leaves the start at Barbican Gate in the town centre at 13.35 on Friday afternoon and, after the initial leg of six stages, returns for the overnight halt at 22.50. Leg two on Saturday gets underway at 06.40 and sees a further eight stages before crews cross the finish line at 17.50, with the event’s 14 stages providing teams with a total of 127 competitive miles.
For more information on the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship visit www.rallybrc.co.uk.