BEARING the same Calnan surname, Eoghan from Ardfield, Pat (Glandore) and Patrick (Skibbereen) all have similar targets on this weekend's Westlodge Hotel Fastnet Rally. While the latter pair are first cousins and the former no relation, all three are infused by the common bond of rallying.

Eoghan, who drives a Ford Escort with his brother Conor as his co-driver (and are seeded at #49), is looking forward to the eight-stage event.

‘It's been a quiet year for us,’ he told The Southern Star.

‘We went off (the road) in the West Cork Rally and this is our first event since.

‘Firstly, we want to finish and not do anything silly. The Fastnet was my first rally 26 years ago and we still like to go out and enjoy it. We had a couple of class wins over the years – it's always very clubman friendly.

‘Jason O'Mahony (from Rosscarbery) is in front of us in the same class and that should be a bit of craic. Then, of course, there are others that are involved in the national championship, but we will just concentrate on the local element.

‘It's nice to see the service area in Drinagh, the change is good as it brings a freshness to the rally, especially in that area. Skibbereen, as a service area, was always great, so it's nice to see it back in that general area. Change is great.'

In contrast for Glandore's Pat Calnan, who was born during the halcyon days of the Marine Hotel Fastnet Rally, this is only his second Fastnet Rally. He will be co-driven by his brother-in-law Ray Shanahan and seeded at #101.

‘The car is being repaired after the Cork '20' after some front-end damage,’ Pat said.

‘To be honest, I would be happy to finish. Two years ago (in a Ford Ka) we had a lot of trouble with the car.  The Ford Fiesta R2 (his current car) is much different – it's like night and day.

‘As it's our local rally, it would be nice to get a good result. The stages this time will be new to us really.'

On his co-driver Ray Shanahan, who is a member of the Kilmacabea junior A team that will be contesting the Carbery Junior A Football final on Sunday afternoon, Pat added, ‘He will probably come under pressure alright, but sure we'll see how he gets on.’

Earlier this year, Ray's sister Katie called the pacenotes on the Imokilly Rally.

Meanwhile, Skibbereen's Patrick Calnan is certainly not a novice in relation to the event. Co-driven by Leap's Amy Gallwey, they start with the #103 decals on the doors of their Honda Civic.

‘I want to enjoy it. I competed in my first Fastnet Rally at the age of 17 when it was in the Marine Hotel in Glandore,’ Patrick said.

With a chuckle he added, ‘Twenty five years of it and one class win in all that time (2011). The first Fastnet that I finished (self-funded), I think I was 116th out of 120 – results were done manually those times. The sport has evolved so much since.

‘As a spectator, I can recall Richard Smyth and Michael Barrable in the 1990 rally. In the 1993 event, there was nobody that I could go and see the rally with – I read the motorsport column in

The Southern Star and then actually cycled to watch it!  I always like the Fastnet, it's my home event.'

Incidentally, another Calnan, Eric from Rosscarbery, co-drives for Clonakilty Cal McCarthy (Citroen C3 Rally2), who is seeded at #7.