Pirelli Star Driver Mark Donnelly will return to the Pirelli-supported British Rally Championship following the summer break determined to secure a season-best result in front of home fans on this weekends Todds Leap Rally NI (23-24 August), part of the Ulster Rally.
With as many as 150 crews taking part in the various events that make up the rally - set in Fermanagh and South Tyronethe British Rally Championship has gone from strength to strength and Pirelli is delighted to play an intergral role, as the Italian firm continues to supply its tyres to the championship for the seventh year running.
A mixture of 15-inch to 17-inch RX7, RX5 and RE7 Pirelli asphalt tyres will be on offer in Northern Ireland. The RX7 is a medium compound tyre for dry conditions (with the RX5 being slightly harder), while the RE7 is for dry and damp conditions and can also be used as a full wet. The N3 will also be available in 15-inch size for wet conditions.
Pirelli Star Driver Donnelly is hoping to kickstart the second half of the year with a solid result on home soil. "I'm hoping the Ulster will be the turn around point of my season, explained the 22-year-old from Omagh, but I have no doubt there is a lot of work to do between now and the end of the year.
Donnelly, who drives a Pirelli-backed Citroen DS3 R3T, continued: "I hope to improve on my previous result this season and because it's a longer rally than usual, anything can happen - it will probably be a case of not going flat-out throughout. The Ulster is different to the Jim Clark and from what I've heard the stages sound good, but there will be no home advantage for me as I've never been on those roads before in my life. There will also be a spectator stage this year and from previous experience I know that the rally can't be won on those types of stages, but it can be lost so you still need to be careful.
Former Pirelli Star Driver Jukka Korhonen is currently leading the British Rally Championship overall standings: a perfect example of how Pirellis Star Driver programme helps young and aspiring drivers progress in their rally careers. The Finn, who was supported by Pirelli throughout 2012, has enjoyed an outstanding first half to this season having won both the Pirelli RBF and the Jim Clark rallies. Alastair Fisherwho is also taking part in the Citroen Top Driver series, supported by Pirelli on the World Rally Championshipis second overall, three points ahead of Welshman Tom Cave.
This years Todds Leap Ulster Rally is made up of five events: Todds Leap Rally Northern Ireland, Todds Leap Ulster Challenge Rally 1 and 2, Todds Leap Ulster Rally, Todds Leap Ulster Historic Rally and and Todds Leap Ulster National Rally. A ceremonial start in Enniskillen on Friday 23 August will kick off the proceedings, which get underway at 1230. Crews will compete over seven stages on Saturday, with Sunday consisting of four stages: each one being run twice.
Pirelli UK Motorsports Operation Manager, Matthew Corby, concluded: Ulster is one of the fastest rallies on the British Rally Championship calendar and it will certainly be a wake-up call to the drivers after an eight-week summer break. The move to Fermanagh and South Tyrone will also shake up the event itinerary with new stages adding an extra challenge. Itll be interesting to see how our Star Driver Mark Donnelly will fare on home turf. He was very consistent throughout the first three rallies but I think Mark now has the confidence to step it up a gear and put into practice a lot of what he has learned. I am positive that his raw talent and steady progress combined with the support of home fans will allow him to fight for a podium position this weekend.
