06-04-09: This weekend's Larsen Circuit of Ireland Rally hosts round three of the Hankook MSA N.I. Stage Rally Championship, and a fantastic line up of competitors are ready to tackle this Easter's rally spectacular!

The event will be split into three categories, with the international section hosting a round of the Irish Tarmac Championship, while the National A section hosts a round of the MSA Asphalt Championship.

But for those following the Hankook backed Northern Ireland series, their eyes will be focused on the National B category. Almost 70 competitors have entered this section, which ensures that competition will be extremely tough.

The event starts on Saturday morning when competitors leave the Park Inn, Dundalk. Crews will drive to the start ramp in Banbridge town centre, before tackling closed road stages in County Down. A total of eight stages will be completed, with service at The Outlet, situated close to the A1 outside Banbridge, after every second stage.

On Sunday, service moves to Carnbane Industrial Estate in Newry, and crews will tackle two loops of three stages which are situated south west of the city. Once completed, the rally winners will spray the champagne at the finish ramp in Dundalk town centre at approximately 3.30pm.

So who will be in the hunt for this year's National B Larsen Circuit of Ireland Rally victory?

The championship tables could make for some interesting reading come the end of the event, as current Hankook series leader, Derek McGarrity, has entered the International category. As a result, he will not score points towards the N.I. Championship.

Meanwhile, reigning champion Connor McCloskey is another name missing from the entry list. He has decided not to defend his title in 2009, despite lying second overall in the series after the opening two rounds.

So it will be Banbridge rally ace Kenny McKinstry who leads the National B field away from the start line. He claimed third overall at round one but currently lies sixth in the series after missing round two due to work commitments.

Stiff competition will come from Seamus Leonard, who holds third overall in the championship standings. Then there's former champion Denis Biggerstaff, who will be hoping the handling problems encountered at round two will be a thing of the past.

Mark Courtney and Emma McKinstry will also be vying for the top spot, while the Sunoco Fuels Group N category has received a healthy entry. After his fiery exit from round two, Raymond Johnston will start this Easter's event sixth on the road. He will have a tough job on his hands, with the likes of Neil McCance and John McGlaughlin aiming for victory.

The Superdrive two-wheel-drive category has also received a strong entry, with Wesley Patterson, Martin McGee, Adrian Hetherington, Seamus O'Connell and Manus Kelly among the leading entrants.

Philip Hunter returns to the fray in a bid for another Montgomery Motorsport historic category win, but Dessie Nutt and Derek Boyd will be among those trying to stop him in his tracks.

With headquarters at the Park Inn, Dundalk, the two-day event gets underway this Saturday (11 April). Rally programmes containing plenty of spectator information are available from a number of outlets across the country - more information can be found online at www.circuitofireland.net.

Larsen Circuit of Ireland Rally top 10 (National B)

60 Kenny McKinstry/Noel Orr (Impreza WRC)
61 Seamus Leonard/John McCafferty (Impreza WRC)
62 Denis Biggerstaff/Damian McCann (Impreza WRC)
64 Mark Courtney/Mick Courtney (Celica ST205)
65 Emma McKinstry/Kenny Hull (Impreza WRC)
67 Raymond Johnston/TBA (Lancer Evo)
68 Neil McCance/Sean Ferris (Lancer Evo)
69 John McGlaughlin/Crawford Henderson (Lancer Evo)
70 Alan Burrows/Gavin Burrows (Lancer Evo)
71 Pat Norris/Declan Tumilty (Impreza WRC)