Monaghan will use his usual Vauxhall Corsa Kit Car backed by Pirtek Tyne & Wear, F & R Belbin Engineering and GB Lubricants, a car in which he and co-driver Chris Purvis almost won the class championship in 2011. The car has had a full engine rebuild by Bill Falconer over the winter and it has also had a paddle shift gear change fitted thanks to Playskool Motorsport which should ensure that Monaghan has the speed to do well again this year.
"We had a very disappointing end to the 2011 championship when a fractured oil cooler forced us to retire on the final round," said Monaghan. "That cost us the class championship as well as the honour of finishing as first two wheel drive car."
"The car is all set for the opening round and we’re looking to build on the three class wins we got last year, I am confident that we will perform well again."
Round one of the championship takes place on the notoriously tough tarmac of the Epynt military ranges near Llandovery in Wales. It will be Monaghan’s second visit to the venue.
"I made my Epynt debut last year and it is fair to say that I was totally in awe of the place. The roads there are so fast with lots of places to have a big accident if you get it slightly wrong. The awful conditions on the day didn’t help me get much confidence so hopefully they will be better next weekend."
"The aim for round one is to be on the pace of the leading crews in the class and to get a good finish with a decent haul of championship points."
The rally start from the Castle Hotel in Llandovery with the crews contesting seven stages over the ranges totalling 80 miles.
Image courtesy Ian Hardy
