In the S1600 class Zimbabwean Conrad Rautenbach, fresh from a podium position on Rallye Deutschland, will be looking to take the fight to local boy Darren Gass. Both are contesting the event in Citroen C2 Super 1600s and whilst Conrad has more experience, Darren has local knowledge on his side.
Current class leader Stefan Davis, in his day glo orange Ford Puma, will just be hoping for a clean run after struggling with a catalogue of minor problems throughout the season so far.
Joining Rautenbach and Davis as Ulster Rally virgins are 19-year-old Nick Kenny and reigning Stars champion David Meredith. Both have struggled on tarmac this year. Meredith has recently conducted an extensive test and will be hoping that the handling of his Evo 9 is more comfortable while Kenny’s obvious talent just needs to be married to a more consistent attack, coupled with a bit of lady luck.
In the smaller classes the Suzuki’s, whilst suffering slightly on power compared to the Citroen C2R2’s, should go well, as both James Wozencroft and Lorna Smith are dovetailing rounds in the Irish Tarmac Championship with their BRC commitments.
However, as has already been proven on both of the tarmac rounds already, the ageing MG ZR160 of defending champion Matt Beebe combines reliability with the experience of the talented youngster and he will be looking for another good run this weekend as he aims to extend his championship lead.
Honda Civic driver Vessa Mikkola is currently a question mark as his team face a race against time to prepare his car after crashing out of the International Rally Isle of Man.
The diesel class should once again see a battle between the two Skoda Fabias and Fin McCaul’s
BMW 1 series.
The 2007 Philip White Tyres Ulster Rally is based in the town of Armagh and the 360 mile long rally begins with an intensive 12 hour recce before the event. This allows the crews the opportunity to make detailed notes ahead of the two-day long rally which begins on Friday 31 August at 2:45pm. The ceremonial finish will be back at The Mall in Armagh on Saturday afternoon.
