NORTHERN IRISH TITLE ON HENRY’S RADAR
This weekend’s Bushwhacker Rally could be the turning point
Desi Henry has said that results on this weekend’s Bushwhacker Rally will have a bearing on whether or not he commits his time and resources to try and win the Northern Ireland
Rally Championship.
Henry and Damien Connolly won the last counter in Enniskillen – the Lakeland Stages Rally – by 22 seconds from Sam Moffett on what was their first time on gravel in a Ford Fiesta World Rally Car.
Earlier in the season Henry chalked up a win on the closedroads Maiden City Stages Rally in a Skoda Fabia R5, which has since been sold. Despite having only started those two rounds he has an outside mathematical chance of winning the championship by virtue of the fact no one leading driver has been able to dominate the series this season.
He has 60 points with championship leader Derek Mcgeehan on 136, but with dropped scores taken into account and three rounds – including this weekend – left, Henry could still win the title.
“The Fiesta is brilliant on gravel and we’re definitely feeling confident going to the Bushwhacker,” said Henry. “The Fiesta gives you so much confidence. I adapted to its key strengths pretty quickly.
“We will make a decision about the championship after the Bushwhacker and if we stand a chance of winning it then we will continue,” he added. “We know what we need to do and that is to get maximum scores from three of the next four rallies. It is going to be a case of wait and see really.”
Other notable starters this weekend include Northern
Ireland Rally champion Connor Mccloskey in a S14 Subaru Impreza WRC and Kenny Mckinstry, who makes his second appearance in a Ford Fiesta R5. Also making the trip to the Omaghbased meeting is double Scottish Rally champion Jock Armstrong.
Comprising 32 competitive stage miles, Saturday’s rally is once again returning to the familiar surroundings of Lough Bradan and Killeter forests.