It's a tough one, I wouldn't like to be making the decision, cos it'll be wrong no matter what.
The question is, would mcHale not be competing at a higher level if he really wanted to? At this stage I expect he is busy with business, with far more commitments than a young charger. Maybe thats why he went from 2 day rallys in England, to the Irish Forestry Championship (1 day rallys with no recce). And fair play for winning the Championship, but I expected him to win it, I mean lots of forestry under him and a Corolla WRC? It would have been a bigger ask to win the 206s when he was at it, and he didn't.
Can anyone realistically see Gareth trying to make it as a full time driver? Not me. One down.
You have to give it to someone young, with talent, willing to bust a gut to give it a go, willing to go to England and beat everyone. More than that, he has to be winning. If you are in an Evo and you are getting consistently beaten by other N4's, then you aren't good enough, you aren't going to make it. How many times was McRae beaten by a Nova when he was in a Nova? Whats talent if its not beating people you shouldn't? That rules out the most of them.
My three are O'Mahony, O'Toole and Wilson.
My two are O'Toole and Wilson, cos I think they are quicker than O'Mahony.
The winner? I know who I would prefer, but I have no idea who'll win it.