Mk2 champion Shovelin skipping Mayo to experience new events this year

Reigning Mk2 Challenge champion JF Shovelin will skip the National Rally Championship’s opening round as he aims to compete in new events this year. One such event for Shovelin will be the Circuit of Kerry Rally in April.

“I’ve no big plans to commit to a full championship this year,” admitted Shovelin. “I’ll just pick and choose odd rounds of the National Championship and of course I’ll be doing Donegal International when it comes around.

“You wouldn’t know, I could do the championship yet. I’ll see how Kerry goes first and see from there. Carlow is a round this year too so I’d like to do that!

“The cost of doing a full championship is a problem but I see Kerry has its entry fee cut back to the same as last year so I am sure all the other events will do the same.”

Shovelin will continue to compete in his NPL hired Ford Escort Mk2, however, he’s interested in rallying NPL’s recently acquired Ford Fiesta R5 at some point this year.

Second in Class 14 on the Monaghan Stages Rally was the Donegal man’s best result last year as he took the National Championship’s Mk2 Escort honours in his first full season in the car.

“I’d like to get a bit faster and get closer to the quick Class 14 drivers but that might be easier said than done!”

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