Cronin Motorsport will kick-start 2009 this Sunday when both Keith/Greg and Denis/Helen travel to Mitchelstown to compete in the first round of the National Forestry Championship, the Sean Conlon Memorial Forestry Rally run by Tipperary Motor Club.

It is 2 years since Keith competed in Mitchelstown, however on that occasion he acquitted himself well, finishing second overall, even challenging for the lead. A loose rock on the road, pulled out by a previous car, put a stop to that challenge, as the damage caused meant that he could not drive at his desired speed. Finishing second to eventual series winner Stephen Moore and winning Group N by over 2 minutes was surely a sign of great things ahead.
Having gone on to compete on Last Years Mitsubishi Evo Challenge in England Keith is using Mitchelstown to get up to speed for the year, not having competed since winning the Banna Beach based Kerry Mini-Stages in November.
During the course of last years Evo Challenge Keith managed to set more fastest times than any other competitor in the series. No doubt we will see his trademark speed in Mitchelstown.
Denis Cronin & Helen O’Sullivan competed on last years Forestry Championship for the first time. Never far from the top of the timesheets they had a frustrating year with handling difficulties in their Subaru WRC. A non-finish in Carrick on Suir did not help their cause. Towards the end of the year the handling problems were eventually sorted out but engine failure ensured that they could not compete on their home event in Cork.
Denis finished third in the championship and Helen went one better than him in the Navigators section, finishing second. They should be well on the pace this year and aim to improve on their 4th overall on this event last year.