Rallying bursts back into action this weekend as competitors tackle round three of the Hankook MSA Northern Ireland Stage Rally Championship, the Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally, in association with UTV Drive.

The famous event is a two-day closed road rally, although the Northern Ireland Rally Championship crews must only contest one day to pick up Championship points, as they rally through the Saturday stages in counties Armagh, Down and Antrim.

Saturday also features an exciting innovation as Lisburn becomes the first city in the UK to close its centre for a competitive rally stage. Billed as the Lisburn ‘Power Stage’, thousands of spectators are expected to flock to the city to watch more than 100 crews rally through the streets.

Last year’s winner Derek McGarrity will lead the field away with a Subaru Impreza WRC at his disposal. He had switched to a Group N Evo for the opening rounds of this year’s Hankook N.I. series, but has returned to World Rally Car power in a bid to lift the ‘Circuit’ crown once again.

He heads the list ahead of Darren Gass and Kevin Barrett, who are not registered for this year’s series. However, number four seed Kenny McKinstry is the current championship leader, and is bidding to maintain that advantage as he aims for another N.I. Championship glory.

Reigning champion, Stuart Biggerstaff, will also be in the mix with a number of other World Rally Car crews, including Emma McKinstry, Ray Brammer, George Robinson and John McGaffin.

In the Sunoco Fuels Group N category, Donagh Kelly has an opportunity to move to the head of the class tables. With Derek McGarrity switching to a World Rally Car Subaru, which runs in class nine, a solid finish at the ‘Circuit’ could see Kelly move to the top of the order.

Neil McCance will also be among those fighting for the spoils, and stiff opposition will be provided by the likes of Phillip Morrow, Alan Carmichael, Mark Donnelly and Trevor Ferguson.

The two-wheel-drive category has also received a stunning entry, although not all crews are registered for the Hankook series. English businessman starts the event at number eight in his beautiful Lancia Stratos, followed by a quartet of Mark 2 Escorts with John Waring, Wesley Patterson, Phil Collins and Camillus Bradley all vying for the spoils.

The action kicks off at midday on Easter Saturday at Armagh City Hotel, which acts as the event headquarters and service area for the event. Competitors will tackle 10 stages on Saturday, including two runs through the Lisburn ‘Power Stage’.

Competitors who have opted to contest the full two-day event will continue on Sunday with a further six stages, before the winners are crowned in Armagh at 4.35pm on Sunday.

More details can be found online at www.nirally.com, while programmes containing route details and stage maps are available to purchase from newsagents across the country. A full list of outlets can be found online at www.circuitofireland.net.

ENDS.