16-02-09: The 2009 Hankook MSA N.I. Rally Championship blasts into full swing this Saturday with the Eurocables Stages Rally! Also sponsored by Pedro Pet Foods, the event has attracted a full capacity entry of 120 crews to County Down's Kirkistown Race Circuit.

Reigning champions, Connor McCloskey and Francis Regan, are surprise entrants to the event. Kilrea based McCloskey, who won last year's title after a final round shoot-out with Sean Devine, earlier reported to be looking at other options for 2009. Devine will miss the opening round, but McCloskey has decided to return to the competitive series in a bid to defend his title!

"I drove a rally car for the first time since last year on Friday!" 23-year-old McCloskey said. "I'm going to use the same car which I used to start the 2008 Championship - a left-hand drive Ford Focus WRC. Everything was first class during Friday's test and now I can't wait to get back in action. But I'm sure it will be a difficult year as the competition is a lot stronger."

Indeed, competition will be very strong and the entry list for the Eurocables Stages features no less than four former champions, in addition to reigning title holder McCloskey!

The first of those former champions, Banbridge's Kenny McKinstry, starts the event at number two. He is a multiple winner of the Championship, having sealed his titles during the late 80s. Entered in a Subaru Impreza WRC, he admits that he is more likely to have a 2005 Ford Focus WRC at his disposal on Saturday, but remains sketchy about his plans for the year.

"I'm not 100 percent sure if I'll be doing the whole Championship," McKinstry said. "I've submitted my entry form for Bishopscourt (round two), and I wouldn't mind doing the Circuit of Ireland. So who knows! It all depends on how it falls in with work. I'm not planning to go out and win another title, but it would be nice if it happened!"

Kenny's daughter, Emma McKinstry, is also no stranger to the Northern Ireland rally scene, and she intends to contest this year's Championship in an Impreza WRC. Meanwhile, Dromara's Denis Biggerstaff, who starts at number three on Saturday, could be tempted to fight for the title.

"It has been 10 years since I won the Championship for the first time," said Biggerstaff, who won the prestigious trophy in 1999 and 2001. "I've been very unlucky with Subaru rally cars over the past few years but we've managed to fix a few hidden problems with my car and I think she's probably better than she's ever been. I'd love to do the full Championship again but we'll take one event at a time."

And at number four, 2002 N.I. Champion, Derek McGarrity, also makes a welcome return to the series. His forays into the rallying scene have been few and far between since a massive accident during the 2006 Rally Isle of Man. He has only entered a handful of events since, including two rounds of the 2008 N.I. Championship - both of which he won.

"I'm going to enter the first couple of rounds and see how it goes," McGarrity commented. "To be honest, I'd love to get back on to gravel. So if we get good results at the first few events, I could be tempted to carry on."

The top 10 for this Saturday's rally also includes a host of other World Rally Car pilots, with Seamus Leonard, Cahal Arthurs and New Year Stages rally winner, Alan Carmichael, among those vying for the top spot. Mark and Cormac Doyle could throw a spanner in the works with their Toyota Celica, while Ray Brammer and 1995 N.I. Champion, George Robinson, complete the top 10 in their World Rally Cars.

The Sunoco Fuels Group N category has also received a healthy entry and Cookstown's John McGlaughlin enters the Eurocables Stages as the top seed. He will face some stiff opposition from the likes of Comber's Neil McCance and reigning champion, Cathal Rogers.

Meanwhile, the Superdrive two-wheel drive category sees Wesley Patterson making a return to the Championship aboard his Mark 2 Escort. Adrian Hetherington and John Waring will be trading times with the Lisburn driver, as will David Armstrong, Trevor Moore and reigning two-wheel drive champion, James Kennedy.

The new Montgomery Motorsport historic category has also received plenty of interest, with seven crews ready for the opening round of the series. Magherafelt's John Keatley and Dungannon's Alan Jardine bring a pair of beautiful Mark 1 Escorts to the fray, while Philip Hunter has his Mark 2 at his disposal.

And a special mention should also be given to young Cookstown lady, Samantha Thom. Having competed very successfully in rallycross circles in recent years, Samantha is now hoping to turn her attention to rallying. She has placed her entry for the Eurocables event, but there is one small problem - she doesn't have a driving licence!

Samantha only turned 17-years-old last Saturday but is hoping to pass her driving test in the days before this weekend. Having finished third in class in the British Rallycross Championship, she will be one to keep an eye on in the future. Let's hope her driving examiner can also spot her talent!

The Eurocables Stages, sponsored by Pedro Pet Foods, gets underway at approximately 9am on Saturday morning. Competitors will face six stages around Kirkistown Race Circuit, and the winner will be crowned at the champagne finish at approximately 5pm. A fee is payable at the gate for spectators who wish to come along and watch the thrills and spills!