Jason Black on why he's pulling out all the stops as he targets success at Imokilly Mini Stages Rally
Running just ahead of Black is the defending champion Rob Duggan in a Ford Escort Mk2, Darrian T90 GTR exponent James Stafford at two, David Moffett in a second rear-wheel-drive Toyota Starlet at three, and Johno Doogan in another Ford Escort Mk2 at four.
Other standout names include former Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship title holder Gary Kiernan, Michael Cahill, and Denis Hickey. All three are taking part in Ford Escort Mk2s.
When it last ran in 2023, Black had climbed to second position with two stages remaining only for a spin — and stall — on the penultimate timed run test to put the brakes on his charge.
Black is aiming to put the record straight tomorrow in his 2.5-litre powered rocket and hopes Saturday's shakedown stage can help get him up to speed and dialled in to the terrain.
'It can help get us back into the groove and allow us to go hard from the opening stage,' said Black, who was in Finland this week helping Toyota Gazoo Racing's Kalle Rovanpera and Jonne Halttunen prepare for their home round of the FIA World Rally Championship.
'That will be important as it has been more than 10 months since we did a proper stage rally — but we know we are more than capable of achieving a good result. The hope is that everything will click for us from the word go and we can steadily build on that,' he added.
'We really enjoyed our run out in Imokilly two years ago — we were lying second overall until we spun and lost about a minute in time when the car stalled and refused to restart.
'Once again, organisers have attracted another really strong entry, with anyone in the top 10 capable of coming away with top spot. If we can have a good steady run in Imokilly with no mistakes then hopefully we will be there, or thereabouts, come Sunday evening.'
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