One-day Galway to benefit R5s – Jennings

Double Galway International Rally winner Garry Jennings believes the fact that the event switches to a one-day format will affect the balance between WRC and R5 cars in the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship opener, as the R5 drivers will be better prepared.

The event didn’t run last year due to funding issues, and has returned with a slightly shortened format featuring just a single day of action.

“It was disappointing to see it cancelled last year as it is one of my favourite events,” said Jennings.

“Because it’s a one-day rally this year it takes on a whole new meaning, a different complexion. A lot of the R5 drivers will have done a fair bit of testing and will be chomping at the bit to get going. It will be a tough battle.”

Jennings enters this weekend’s event with a chance to score an unprecedented three consecutive overall wins as he gears up for action in his Subaru Impreza S12B WRC.

Eugene Donnelly, Austin Machale and Mark Lovell are the only other people who have managed the same feat on an event that is traditionally held in wet and windy conditions on Ireland’s west coast.

“We’ve been successful in Galway on our two previous visits – that’s why we decided to put an entry in,” he added. “If it [a hat-trick of wins] happens then that’s great, but if it doesn’t we can’t say that we didn’t try.”

Jennings hasn’t initiated an all out assault on the ITRC since it went to allowing only R5 cars to fight for the overall championship, excluding WRC cars into a separate class.

He has long been an exponent of right-hand-drive cars and without a properly homologated car on the market, he has stuck to varied outings in his Impreza. He won events competing in France last year.