22/09/08 - The eighth round of the Pacenotes MSA Northern Ireland Rally Championship, the McGillin Bushwhacker Rally, takes place this Saturday. Based at the Silverbirch Hotel in Omagh, crews are gearing up for some more high octane action just two weeks after the seventh round of the series.

At the Fisher Engineering Stages, it was Richard Cathcart who claimed victory with a hired Subaru Impreza WRC. That was a one-off outing for the Enniskillen driver, and he won't contest this Saturday's event.

It's the championship contenders who top the entry list, with series leader Sean Devine leading the field away in his Subaru Impreza WRC. He holds the upper hand in championship terms, and another victory could see the series really start to swing in his favour.

Meanwhile reigning champion Glenn Allen, who is one point in arrears, will be aiming to stop him in his tracks. He will also face stiff competition from Conor McCloskey, whose championship assault was dealt a blow when he retired from Fermanagh's round with mechanical troubles.

There will be plenty of competition through the field, with the Sunoco Fuels Group N crews again receving a healthy entry, as has the Superdrive two wheel drive category. With more than 90 entrants, plenty of action is guaranteed!

Service 1: 09:33
SS1: 10:03
SS2: 10:31
SS3: 10:42
Service 2: 11:18
SS4: 12:09
SS5: 12:37
SS6: 12:51
Service 3: 13:24
SS7: 15:21
SS8: 15:33
Service 4: 16:02
SS9: 17:17
SS10: 17:29
Finish: 18:05

Championship Standings - after round 7 of 10
(bonus marshal points not included)

1 Sean Devine - 62 pts
2 Glenn Allen - 61pts
3 Conor McCloskey - 52pts
4 Peadar Hurson - 30pts
5 Derek McGarrity - 27pts
6 Sean McArdle - 22pts