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2005 West Cork Rally - 19-20 Mar 05

Posted: March 24, 2005 6:24 PM - 21858 Hits

Round 1 - 2005 Southern 4 Rally Championship

  • Field success at West Cork!
  • Denis Cronin/Helen Sullivan take first West Cork Win
  • Event Reports
  • Full Results
  • Links to Photos

Photo: Ray Gavin

Posted: March 24, 2005 6:24 PM

Field success at West Cork!
Ashley Field and Janice Hooley set some jaw dropping times at the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally last weekend. The event consisted of 160 stage miles over closed public roads, with an impressive 190 strong entry list with no less than 10 World Rally Cars.

Seeded at car 24, the new team were on the pace from the start, setting 5th fastest stage time on stage 1, 10 seconds ahead of the nearest class rival. Screaming ahead to set the 3rd fastest stage time on stage 2 which left the Field Associates team 4th overall after stage 4.

“We hit a bank on stage 4 and caused a lot of damage to the gear box sub frame which slowed us down quite a bit for the rest of the day. We finished day 1, 5th overall, disappointed knowing we wouldn’t be able to keep up the pace on day 2” said Ashley.

It was only the 2nd event together as a team and their mission was to build on the success of the previous event and to practice making notes. Janice had never made her own notes before and it was critical the team built trust together before the full assault of the MSA National Tarmac Championship which kicks off in Cornwall on April 9th.

Day 2 started with one of the most scenic stages of the rally but was unfortunately a stage that the crew had only managed to recce in foggy conditions. Ashley and Janice struggled to get a good flow going with the notes and dropped to 6th overall and 2nd in 2wd by a handful of seconds.

The event ended on a high for the new team when the near side rear wheel came off the car on stage 11 causing the crew to hit a wall just after a square left, strategically 100 meters from the Fishers Cross Pub!! Drinking a well deserved Guinness the team reflected on an excellent weekend and finished the day watching the rest of the rally from the window of the local friendly pub.

Ashley and the team are now looking for an innovative and exciting company to support the team and to accompany them on the full attack of the MSA National Tarmac Championship, well known for rounds like the Manx and the Jim Clark which receive excellent publicity.

A very big Thank You to the organisers and marshals of the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally, AAT for helping us out at the very last minute and the service crew; Paul & Clive for getting us back on the road after a messy stage 4. Thanks also to Martin Brady and Richard Edwards for helping Janice with the event preparation.

The event will be televised on Sky Sports for 1 hour and Men & Motors for 30 minutes.

To contact the team please e-mail janice_hooley@hotmail.com

End of day 1 Report.
by Pat Nolan
Day 1 The Quality Hotels West Cork Rally took place today in resplendent sunshine, which lead to a very rare occurrence in Irish Stage Rallying, easy tyre choice.
The 151 starters were lead off the start ramp by Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy in their S9 Subaru Impreza WRC closely followed by Denis Cronin/Helen O Sullivan in a Subaru Impreza WRC99 and that’s the way these two stayed all day.
McCarthy and Cronin swapped times and positions throughout day one to end the day with just 0.3 of a second separating them with McCarthy in the lead.
Liam McCarthy went through the 8.8 miles of SS1 “Ring” in 7 minutes 21 seconds, a full 10 seconds faster than Denis Cronin with Macrooms Donal O Donovan making up the top three in a Celica ST 205 just 1 second adrift of Cronin.
McCarthy’s Subaru developed cooling problems on SS 2 Clogagh and Cronin took full advantage doing the 10 miles 15 seconds faster than McCarthy. O Donovan maintained his third place but fell a further 6 secs behind Cronin.

Service after stage two meant the McKinstry mechanics could get at the car and whatever they did seemed to work. McCarthy was fastest through stage 3 but it was Welsh man Tony Davies, also driving an Impreza WRC, who was second fastest on this occasion with Cronin 3rd fastest and commenting that he just didn’t get into a rhythm on the stage.

Davies was fastest on stage 4 with Cronin beating McCarthy on this occasion to move back into the lead by two seconds.
Stage 5 was the first run of the day through Ballinascarthy and again the battle was between the Subarus of McCarthy and Cronin.McCarthy was quickest here and again on stage 6 Shanaway even though he reckoned the engine was still not 100%. Cronin reported that all was well and that he intended to keep pushing. Donal O Donovan came out of stage 4 still in third place but pulled up on the road section with transmission problems. Sadly his rally ended there.

Stage 7, a rerun of Ballinascarthy, was cancelled due to spectator problems, which meant the crews went straight on to the final stage of the day, the second run over Shanaway.
Cronin was 1 second faster than McCarthy here again but not enough to snatch the overnight lead from him. Tony Davies continued his brilliant run, climbing from tenth to third in the course of the day. Steve Fleck didn’t have a great run through stage 8 and registered a time 17 seconds slower than Davies and had to settle for 4th overnight.

Ashley Field was another to record very quick times during the day in his Darrian and fifth overnight is his reward. John Dalton is in 6th overnight in another Darrian just 4 seconds behind

So the overnight top ten is as follows:
1.Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Impreza WRC) 54.23.4
2.Denis Cronin/Helen O Sullivan ( Impreza WRC) 54.23.7
3.Tony Davies/Jakes Kelly ( Impreza WRC) 55.21.1
4.Steve Fleck/Mark Aspinall (Impreza WRC) 55.29.0
5.Ashley Field/Janice Hooley (Darrian) 55.49.0
6.John Dalton/Gwynfor Jones (Darrian) 55.53.4
7.Bob Fowden/Gerry Hynes (Impreza WRC) 56.13.8
8.J.J.Fleming/Robbie Ward (Focus WRC) 56.29.1
9.James O Sullivan/Kieran O Callaghan (Evo 7) 56.52.4
10.Phil Collins/Derek Brannigan (Escort Mk2) 56.58.5.

The Historic Section of the Rally which started on SS 5 is being led by the Welsh crew of Gareth Llyod/Wyn Thomas in the classic Mk11 lead the Porsche of Killarney crew of Todd Falvey/Dan Barry. John Farrell/Brian Duggan are in third after early problems with an oil leak.


Final Report
by Pat Nolan
On Sunday morning the battle continued and whatever the McKinstry mechanics did to McCarthys car at final service on Saturday certainly worked. McCarthy was six seconds faster than Cronin on Stage 9 Ardfield and seven seconds faster on Stage 10 Sam’s Cross.

Welshman Tony Davies was third quickest on both stages and was in a comfortable third place, some 21 seconds ahead of Steve Fleck. The Darrians of John Dalton and Ashley Field were in 5th & 6th respectively with Bob Fowden a further 30 seconds behind in seventh. J.J.Fleming remained in 8th place with Nigel Hicklin in 9th and James O Sullivan in tenth and leading group N.

McCarthy was fastest again on 11 & 12,reruns of Ardfield and Sam’s Cross, which meant he now had a lead of 23 seconds over Cronin. Tony Davies dropped from 3rd to 17th after an off- road excursion, which moved Steve Fleck up to third, John Dalton up to fourth with Bob Fowden in fifth after Ashley Field crashed out. The rest of the top ten at this stage was made up by J.J.Fleming in sixth, Nigel Hicklin seventh, James O Sullivan eighth, Willie Power/Adrian Deasy from Killarney ninth in a Darrian and George Thaw/Tony Ettunger 10th in an Impreza WRC.

With 23 seconds to spare, four stages to go and taking seconds per stage out of your nearest rival you would be entitled to think that, barring disaster, you had a fairly good chance of winning the rally. But then, after two fabulously dry days, down came the deluge.

Cronin has always been extremely fast in the wet. This was his chance and he grabbed it with both hands. Stage 13, Inchy Bridge, was up next but by now a mist had set in and road conditions were already changing. Cronin was a huge 11 seconds faster than McCarthy here.
The torrential rain came on stage 14 Dunworley and caught all the drivers out on slicks. Spins and overshoots were the order of the day but at least they could get to service at the end of it to change tyres.

The last two stages were driven in heavy rain and Cronin blitzed both of them. He took 16.3 seconds of McCarthy on Stage 15 Inchy Bridge and another 15.1 seconds on stage 16 Dunworley to emerge the winner by a 16.9 second margin.
The huge crowd at the finish ramp, in spite of the still falling rain, was a worthy tribute to the spectacular show the crews put on over the two days that were the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally. There were close battles throughout the classes and anyone who traveled for this event went home well satisfied.


Photo: crspics.com


Group N was won by Kevin and Martin Kelleher in an Evo 8. Second in the class was taken by Mark Morgan/Tony Fisher in an Evo 6 and third were Kevin O Donoghue/. Joe O Leary also in an Evo 8.

The Historic Rally was won by Gareth Lloyd/Wynn Thomas in a Mk 2 Escort.Second were John Farrel/Brian Duggan in a MK 1 Escort and third were Todd Falvey/ Dan Barry in a Porsche 911 

Results
1 Denis Cronin/Helen O'Sullivan (Subaru Impreza WRC) 118m 29s 
2 Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Subaru Impreza WRC) 118m 46s
3 Steve Fleck/Mark Aspinall (Subaru Impreza WRC) 121m 21s
4 Bob Fowden/Jerry Hynes (Subaru Impreza WRC) 121m 45s
5 John Joe Fleming/Robbie Ward (FORD Focus WRC) 122m 49s
6 John Dalton/Gwynfor Jones (Darrian T90 GTR) 123m 12s
7 Nigel Hicklin/Sam McMullan (Skoda Octavia WRC) 125m 47s
8 Kevin Kelleher/Martin Kelleher (Mit. Lancer Evo 8) Gp N 126m 57s
9 Mark Morgan/Tony Fisher (Mit. Lancer Evo 6) Gp N 127m 18s
10 George Thaw/Tony Ettunger (Subaru Impreza WRC) 127m 40s

Leaders After
SS1 Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Subaru Impreza WRC) 
SS2-4 Denis Cronin/Helen O'Sullivan (Subaru Impreza WRC) 
SS5-14 Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Subaru Impreza WRC) 
SS15-16 Denis Cronin/Helen O'Sullivan (Subaru Impreza WRC) 

Fastest Times
SS1 Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Subaru Impreza WRC) 
SS2 Denis Cronin/Helen O'Sullivan (Subaru Impreza WRC)  	
SS3 Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Subaru Impreza WRC) 
SS4 Tony Davies/Jakes Kelly (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS5 Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Subaru Impreza WRC) 
SS6 Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Subaru Impreza WRC) 
SS7 Cancelled
SS8 Denis Cronin/Helen O'Sullivan (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS9 Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS10 Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS11 Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS12 Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS13 Denis Cronin/Helen O'Sullivan (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS14 Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS15 Denis Cronin/Helen O'Sullivan (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS16 Denis Cronin/Helen O'Sullivan (Subaru Impreza WRC)


Historics
1 Gareth Lloyd/Wyn Thomas (Ford Escort Mk II) 1:40:44.7
2 John Farrell/Brian Duggan (Ford Escort Mk I) 1:42:23.6
3 Todd Falvey/Dan Barry (Porsche 911) 1:44:18.2
4 Denis Moynihan/Dan Moynihan (Ford Escort Mk I) 1:46:51.1
5 Don Moynihan/Tim Moynihan (Ford Escort Mk I) 1:47:19.4
6 Martin Sheahan/Keira Daly (Ford Escort Mk I) 1:47:46.1
7 Conor Falvey/Vincent Fagan (Ford Escort) 1:48:43.0
8 Ross Forde/Arron Forde (Mini Cooper S) 1:49:49.4
9 Frank Cunningham/Ray Cunningham (Ford Escort)	1:50:16.6
10 Edward Hallahan/Ger Clancy (Ford Escort Mk I) 1:51:39.6


Stage Leaders
SS5-16 Gareth Lloyd/Wyn Thomas (Ford Escort Mk II)

Fastest Times
SS5 Gareth Lloyd/Wyn Thomas (Ford Escort Mk II)
SS6 Gareth Lloyd/Wyn Thomas (Ford Escort Mk II)
SS7 Cancelled
SS8 John Farrell/Brian Duggan (Ford Escort Mk I)
SS9 Gareth Lloyd/Wyn Thomas (Ford Escort Mk II)
SS10 Gareth Lloyd/Wyn Thomas (Ford Escort Mk II)
SS11 Gareth Lloyd/Wyn Thomas (Ford Escort Mk II)
SS12 Gareth Lloyd/Wyn Thomas (Ford Escort Mk II)
SS13 Gareth Lloyd/Wyn Thomas (Ford Escort Mk II)
SS14 Frank Cunningham/Ray Cunningham (Ford Escort Mk I)
SS15 Frank Cunningham/Ray Cunningham (Ford Escort Mk I)
SS16 Frank Cunningham/Ray Cunningham (Ford Escort Mk I)
Pre-Event News
  • FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR QUALITY HOTELS WEST CORK RALLY 2005
  • McGarrity withdraws due to mechanical difficulties.
  • Rally Programmes available
  • A Quality Field for The Quality Hotels West Cork Rally 2005
  • Entry List available
  • Marshals Training Night
  • IMPORTANT NOTE FOR MSA LICENCE HOLDERS
  • Regulations available
  • West Cork Rally 2005 sponsor announced
The stage is set and the curtain is about to rise on the 2005 Quality Hotels West Cork Rally. The rally takes place this coming weekend the 19th & 20 th of March. 151 cars will be lead off the ramp at 10.25 am at the Model Railway Village by Current Southern 4 Champion Liam McCarthy in a McKinstry Impreza S9 on their way to tackle the first loop of stages.

The Rally also hosts round 2 of the Rallysport Challenge, which has added to the high calibre of the entry with 17 crews traveling from across the Irish Sea to take part. Paul Cooper, last years Rallysport challenge winner, continues the defence of his title here in a Metro 6r4 with Roger Mallallieu on the notes.
3 times West Cork winners Bob Fowden/Gerry Hines are also competing in the Rallysport Challenge in a Subaru Impreza WRC as are the crews of Steve Fleck/Mark Aspinall, Peter Lloyd/John Young and George Thaw/Tony Ettunger.The other crews in the Championship are Mark Morgan//Tony Fisher (Evo 6), Ashley Field/Janice Whooley (Darrian T90), Peter Hughes/Chris Evans (Escort), Ian Davies/David Jones (Escort), Nigel Pugh/Ian Pryce (Peugeot 206) Alex Moore/Ian Meakin (Peugeot 205), Brian Davies/Hu Kent (Toyota Corolla)Mick Lower/Steve Greenhill and the Irish Crews of Keith Power/Des Moran (Ford Puma),Sean Ryan Michael Maher (205),and W.J. Dolan /Niall O Sullivan (Impreza N11)

The rally starts at 10.25 am from the Model Railway Village on the Inchidoney Road in Clonakilty when the cars head out to do Stages 1&2 Ring and Clogagh before heading back to the West Cork Technology Park for the first Service interval of the day. Service will be after every two stages for the duration of the rally. Stages 3 & 4 are a repeat of 1 & 2 and in the afternoon the crews tackle Ballinascarthy (5&7) and Shanaway (6 & 8).
Its is here that the Historic Section will join, lead by the Group 4 Mk II of Welsh Crew Gareth Llyod/Wyn Thomas, followed by the rebuilt Mk I of John Farrell/Brian Duggan and the Porsche 911 of Todd Falvet/Dan Barry

Sundays action starts at 10.00 am, again from the Model Railway Village, with 8 more stages are on the menu. Ardfield (9 & 11) Sam’s Cross (10 & 12) Inchy Bridge (13 & 15) and Dunworley (14 & 16).

The winners are due at the Finish Ramp, which has been moved to Emmet Square in the town, at approx 5.30 pm on Sunday.

Prize Giving will take place in the Quality Hotel and Leisure Centre on Sunday night.
13/03/05
Derek McGarrity has withdrawn his entry from the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally quoting mechanical problems with his Skoda Fabia WRC

Co-driver Dermot O'Gorman,speaking to the rally organizers over the weekend,said that a drive shaft had broken on the car and that they were encountering difficulties acquiring a replacement part from Skoda.With just a week to go to the rally and recce to be done they felt the car would not be ready on time and subsequently withdrew from the event.

Speaking on McGarrity’s withdrawal C.O.C. Brian O Connell said”It’s a pity for Derek and Dermot that they had to miss out on this years event but it DOES mean that we can bring another competitor in from the reserve list which we are very happy about.”

Rally Programs are now available in the Clonakilty & Cork City Areas
Details on line the rally website
08/03/05
A Quality Field for The Quality Hotels West Cork Rally 2005
The entry list for the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally,which takes place on the 19th and 20th of March,was released over the weekend and one look through it tells us that we are in for a fabulous weekend of rally action. First off the start ramp on the Saturday morning will be Donie O Sullivan and Paul Nagle in their ex Carlos Sainz Ford Focus WRC.

Donie is on a mission here as he took his first ever rally win here last year and will be keen to defend his title He is well aware that he’ll have to work for it this year though as the big news is that number 2 off the ramp is the current joint Pirelli Irish Tarmac Rally Champion Derek McGarrity who will tackle the event in his recently acquired Skoda Fabia WRC which made it’s debut on the Galway International Rally in February.

First of the local crews at number 3 and well in line to challenge for victory, having changed from their Toyota Corolla WRC to a much newer and more technologically advanced Subaru Impreza WRC, will be Liam McCarthy and Kieran Murphy.

Fourth seed is someone very capable of causing an upset. Ballylickeys Denis Cronin co-driven by Helen O Sullivan is a firm favourite with rally fans throughout the country and having tried 4 wheel drive last year with a Toyota Celica and achieving some good results Denis has upgraded to a Subaru Impreza P2000 and with this kind of machinery HAS to be a force to be reckoned with.

Macrooms Donal O Donovan, co- driven by John O Rahilly, is back in his Toyota Celica, running at number five but one has to wonder if he is in with a shout against the technology now being used in the latest WRC’s. However, Donal is a very quick and very talented driver so a podium finish is not out of the question.

Galways J.J.Fleming/Robbie Ward have also changed cars this year but have moved away from Subaru and have acquired a Ford Focus WRC.This car is the 50th Focus WRC made by M-sport in Cumbria and carries the number R5 50 TH to celebrate the fact.The remainder of the top ten comprises a true West Cork favourite Bob Fowden (the only person to win West Cork 3 times), in a Subaru Impreza WRC at number seven.Number eight is Steve Fleck/Mark Aspinall also in a Subaru Impreza WRC.Nine is the crew of Nigel Hicklin/Sam McMullan, who bring a Skoda Octavia WRC to West Cork for the first time and at number ten a regular West Cork entrant and probably the fastest Mark 2 Escort driver around Phil Collins who’ll be navigated by Derek Brannigan on this occasion.

Scrutiny will take place between 3 and 9.00pm at Hill’s Mills on the Skibbereen road on Friday night and the first competing car will leave Parc Ferme,at the Model Railway Village on the Inchidoney Road,at 10.25 am on the Saturday morning with the winner due at the finish ramp in Clonakilty’s main street at 5.30pm on the Sunday.

Service will be after every two stages and will be located in the West Cork Technology Park on the Cork Road for both days of the rally.Rally Headquarters will be at the Quality Hotel and Leisure Centre who are also the main sponsors of the event.

All information,including the full entry list,about the rally is available on 05/03/05

Top Twenety Main Field
No Driver /Co-Driver  (Car) [Class]
1 DONIE O`SULLIVAN/PAUL NAGLE (FORD FOCUS WRC) [8]
2 DEREK MCGARRITY/DERMOT O`GORMAN (SKODA FABIA WRC) [8]
3 LIAM MCCARTHY/KIERAN MURPHY (SUBARU IMPREZA WRC) [8]
4 DENIS CRONIN/HELEN O'SULLIVAN (SUBARU IMPREZA WRC) [8]
5 DONAL O`DONOVAN/JOHN O`RAHILLY (TOYOTA CELICA GT-FOUR) [8]
6 J.J FLEMING/ROBBIE WARD (FORD FOCUS WRC) [8]
7 BOB FOWDEN/JERRY HYNES (SUBARU IMPREZA WRC) [8]
8 STEVE FLECK/MARK ASPINWALL (SUBARU IMPREZA WRC) [8]
9 NIGEL HICKLIN/SAM MCMULLAN (SKODA OCTAVIA WRC) [8]
10 PHIL   COLLINS/DEREK BRANNIGAN (ESCORT 2.5) [14]
11 JOHN DALTON/GWYNFOR JONES (DARRIAN T 90 GTR) [14]
12 TONY DAVIES/JAKES KELLY (SUBARU IMPREZA WRC) [8]
14 THOMAS G. RANDLES/DIARMUID LYNCH (TOYOTA CELICA TURBO 4WD) [8]
15 JAMES O`SULLIVAN/REBECCA WALSH (MIT. LANCER EVO 7) [4]
16 PETER LLOYD/JOHN YOUNG (SUBARU IMPREZA WRC) [8]
17 JER O`DONOVAN/STEPHEN O`DONOVAN (ESCORT RS COSWORTH) [8]
18 KEVIN O`DONOGHUE/JOE O`LEARY (MIT LANCER EVO 8) [4]
19 MARK MORGAN/TONY FISHER (MIT LANCER EVO 6) [4]
20 JOHN HICKEY/NICK BURKE (SUBARU IMPREZA N8) [4]
21 WESLEY PATTERSON/BOB KELLY (ESCORT) [14]

Top Ten Historics
No Driver /Co-Driver  (Car) [Class]
H1 GARETH LLOYD/WYN THOMAS (FORD ESCORT MK II) [16]
H2 JOHN FARRELL/BRIAN DUGGAN (FORD ESCORT MK I) [16]
H3 TODD FALVEY/DAN BARRY (PORSCHE 911) [16]
H4 FRANK CUNNINGHAM/RAY CUNNINGJAM (FORD ESCORT MK I) [16]
H5 BARRY C. DUGGAN/PAT CASHMAN (FORD ESCORT MK I) [16]
H6 LIAM SHEEHAN/ALAN HARRINGTON (FORD ESCORT MK I) [16]
H7 MARTIN SHEAHAN/KEIRA DALY (FORD ESCORT MK I) [16]
H8 ROBERT ROHU/VINCENT COUGHLAN (FORD ESCORT MK I) [16]
H9 DON MOYNIHAN/TIM MOYNIHAN (FORD ESCORT MK I) [16]
H10 JOHN O`TOOLE/ADRIAN WRIGHT (FORD ESCORT MK I) [16]
02/02/05
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR MSA LICENCE HOLDERS
Please be aware that any MSA licence holders who wish to compete on the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally 2005 are advised that to compete in Motorsport Ireland permitted events they MUST produce either a Letter of Acceptance from NES which has not yet expired, or one of the recently introduced BRDS Letters of Acceptance.

Letters issued by Alexander Forbes, or any other brokers, ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.

02/02/05
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR MSA LICENCE HOLDERS
MSA licence holders should be fully aware of the documentation which they need, and that they will not be allowed start the event unless they produce the correct NES or BRDS Letter at documentation scrutiny on Friday, March 18th.

Proposal forms for both the BRDS and the IRDS insurance scheme can be downloaded on www.westcorkrally.com.

As this scheme is being administered by Motorsport Ireland please direct all enquiries to them at + 353 1 6775628.

Details of special hotel rates for the Quality Hotel and Leisure Centre for the duration of the rally are also available on www.westcorkrally.com.
25/01/05
Regulations are now available for the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally which takes place on the 19th and 20th of March 2005.
As previously stated regulations are NOT being posted out this year and are only available for download.

Clerk of the Course Brian C.O.Connell said that he felt it was the most efficient way to do it as anyone wishing to enter the rally, which is oversubscribed each year, just had to log on, download the entry form and regulations, fill them in and send them off, rather than be waiting around for the postman to arrive.

This year the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally offers 160 stage miles over closed public roads, with centralised servicing (which will occur after every 2 stages) and with the average speed increased to 81MPH (130KPH) on the competitive sections it reverts back to the flowing stages, which it is so rightly renowned for.

In order to deal with interupted stages, stage blockage cards will be handed out to the competitors along with their time cards which, when signed by the crew who’s car caused the blockage and handed back to the Competition Liaison Officer (CLO), will result in those crews who assisted in the clearance of the stage being credited with an appropriate time. The net effect of this is the stage will be kept running and nobody will be penalised.

Information on accommodation, including the Rally H/Q, The Quality Hotel and Leisure Centre, which will be given over fully to competitors for the duration of the event, will also be available on www.westcorkrally.com.

Important to note for Historic competitors is the fact that entries have been restricted by Motorsport Ireland to 20 this year, so it is vital that they, in particular, get their entries in early.

Once again this year Cork Motor Club very grateful to associate sponsors Delaney Oils and the traders of Clonakilty for their ongoing financial support which over the years has helped to ensure the success of the rally.
01/01/05
The 27th running of the West Cork Rally takes place on the weekend of the 19th and 20th of March 2005.The rally will again be sponsored by the Quality Hotel and Leisure Centre, Clonakilty and will be know as The Quality Hotels West Cork Rally.

The General Manager of the Quality Hotel,which will also act as the Rally H/Q, Mr. David Henry said, “We are delighted to be associated once again with one of the premier events on the motor sport calendar which brings competitors and spectators from all over Wales, Scotland, England and Ireland to Clonakilty and gives a timely boost to the local economy and gives us all a chance to showcase West Cork during the off-peak period.”

Delaney Oils will again act as associate sponsors for the rally as will the Traders of Clonakilty C.O.C. Brian C O’Connell said “We are delighted to have The Quality Hotel and Leisure Centre on Board as our main sponsor again this year. The ongoing commitment from them over the years as well as from Delaney Oils and indeed the traders of Clonakilty who provide much needed funds for the running of the rally. Also the West Cork Rally Fundraising Committee who contribute greatly in the running and organising of the whole rally weekend, which means that the Cork Motor Club can concentrate on the business of putting on one of the top motor sport events in these islands. Our thanks also go to all the people involved in the media for their help and expertise in covering and publicising the rally each year”

Brian and his team have been working on the rally for the last few months and promise competitors and spectators alike a cracking weekend of rally action.

Regulations and Entry Forms will be available to download from www.westcorkrally.com from early January.

The organisers of the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally 2005 would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy and safe Christmas and a prosperous new year.
12/07/04
West Cork Rally 2005 sponsor announced
Thanks to Pat Nolan

Cork Motor Club Ltd, promoters and organisers of the West Cork Rally, are delighted to announce that Choice Hotels Ireland, through their brand, The Quality Hotels, are once again the Title Sponsors of this prestigious 2 day event.

Clerk of the Course Brian C O'Connell, and Mr. David Henry, General Manager of the Quality Hotel and Leisure Centre, Clonakilty, the Rally H/Q, concluded their negotiations this week. David Henry said "We are delighted to be able to support one of the biggest annual events in the West Cork calendar and look forward to welcoming everyone back to the area once again in 2005."

The dates for the 2005 event are March 19th and 20th .

Already there is enormous interest in the rally from Competitors, and spectators alike with Hotels and guest houses in the area dealing with numerous enquiries even at this early stage.

The rally will follow the usual pattern of 4 stages run twice each day, with centralised servicing and pace note making permitted.

The Quality Hotels West Cork Rally will, once again host the opening rounds of the Rallysport Challenge and the 023 Southern 4 and Cork Motor Club Championships.

Topics: West Cork Rally 

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