MacHale Rally Team in world first
 
One team will line up three Ford Focus WRC cars at time control on the Rally of the Lakes in Killarney this weekend.  Not unheard of that a team would run three cars on an event, of course, but this team spend more time together than most.
 
Austin MacHale and sons Aaron and Gareth will all be competing in Focus WRC’s, and believe it’s the first time in Irish rallying, and possibly in world rallying, that three members of the same family have all driven WRC cars in a Championship event.
 
Whilst tradition would dictate that Dad passes his old car onto his sons, it is Gareth MacHale and Paul Nagle who will drive the 2006-spec left hand drive car that had its debut on the Galway International in February, securing them a second place finish behind BP Ford World Rally Team’s Marcus Gronholm.
 
Aaron and Derek Brannigan will be stepping out in the 2005 model, whilst Austin, who has three Killarney wins under his belt, will be partnered by long-time co-driver Brian Murphy in the 2003 Focus WRC.
 
“The Rally of the Lakes is a very special event for all of us,” said Gareth MacHale.  “Aaron and I grew up coming here with Dad competing, watching the stages and helping out at service and getting the taste for the sport, so we always love to come back here as a family when we can.”
 
Paul Nagle says this week’s event was an easy choice for the team to make.  “Gareth and I are doing 12 rounds of the World Rally Championship this year and could be in Argentina this weekend, but Killarney is my home event and I’ve always received great support and encouragement from the local club here, so it’s important for me to be home to take part.”
 
Gareth and Paul are seeded first on the entry list of well over 200 competitors, with Austin in 8th and Aaron in 17th.  Currently in fourth place in the Dunlop National Rally Championships, Aaron and Derek have been delivering good times this season.  Gareth and Paul, meanwhile, go from Killarney to Sardinia on 18th May for the 7th Round of the World Rally Championship.