Callicoon, NY — Seamus Burke and his son Joseph are (unofficially) holding first and fourth places overall at the end of day one of International Rally New York 2008. Seamus and co-driver Eddie Fries (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo) are leading the rally, with a minute in hand from Celsus “Charlie” Donnelly/Barry Smyth (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo). Brian Scott/John Dillon (Subaru Impreza WRX) are holding third, seeking a finish among the leaders in order to wrap up the ’08 Uniited States Rally Championship in the all-wheel-drive (AWD) class.

Meanwhile, young Joseph Burke, working with veteran co-driver Ole Holter (Subaru Impreza WRX) are fourth at the event’s half-way point. This is only the junior Burke’s second outing in a powerful AWD car – his first was the recent Black River Stages Rally in northern New York State, which he won.

In the two-wheel-drive (2WD) division, the husband-wife team of Kristopher and Christine Marciniak (Dodge Neon) are leading Michael Cosgrove/John O’Reilly (Mitsubishi Eclipse). Marciniak/Marciniak can sew up the 2WD national championship with a win here, but they are receiving pressure from championship rivals Hampton Bridwell/Josh Katinger (Ford Focus SVT). Bridwell/Katinger had an off-course excursion earlier today, and lost an estimated three minutes, but have made up all but 1:20 by day’s end. They are seeking to take the class lead (and the title) in the rally’s second and last day.

International Rally New York is an automobile rally counting toward the United States Rally Championship and the New York Rally Championship. It is held on the minor roads of the Catskill Mountain region of New York State, with special stages (speed tests) on roads closed to non-rally traffic. It will conclude in Walton tomorrow evening.