Sunoco appointed as Official Fuel Supplier to Irish Tarmac Rally Championship
Posted: January 22, 2012 12:56 AM
The Irish Tarmac Rally Organisers Association (TROA) has appointed Sunoco Race Fuels as the official fuel supplier to the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
Commenting on the decision the TROA Chairman David Gray said, “We are very pleased to have a very well established International brand such as Sunoco associated with our Championship and we hope that our agreement will further raise the profile of rallying in Ireland.”
Anders Hildebrand, Managing Director of Anglo American Oil Company said, “We are delighted that the organisers of the Irish Tarmac Championship have recognised the quality of the Sunoco Race Fuels and chosen Sunoco as the official fuel supplier. Sunoco fuels are currently the number one choice for Irish competitors and we have reached agreement with our distributors, Donegal Oil Company, to bring our supply and service to competitors to even higher levels.”
Arthur Mc Mahon, Managing Director of Donegal Oil said, “Our experience over many years in the racing fuel market has made us aware of the range of rally competitors and their diverse requirements for fuels. Our relationship with Sunoco will enable us to bring a supply of fuel to events to cater for all competitors.”
“We also recognise the contribution that Irish Racing Fuels have made to Sunoco market development in Ireland and they will
continue be involved in our new arrangement in a sales and technical advisory capacity, thereby further improving our service to the competitors”.
Changes Afoot For 2012 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship!
Posted: November 11, 2011 4:29 PM
The Tarmac Rally Organisers' Association is set to introduce a number of changes to next year's Irish Tarmac Rally Championship in a bid to make the series even more competitive.
The Championship will maintain its winning format of six rounds for the 2012 season, with the competitors' best five scores counting towards the overall results.
However, 50 per cent bonus points will be up for grabs at Galway's opening round as well as the season closing event in Cork.
It was in 2009 that the series organisers first introduced 50 per cent bonus points for the final round of the Championship. This proved to be a popular addition to the series, and has resulted in the battle for the prestigious title going down to the wire every year since then.
Now, in a bid to give competitors a boost at the start of the season, 50 per cent bonus points will also be up for grabs at Galway's opening round in February.
In addition, points will be awarded to the fastest crews after each leg of a rally. Three points will be awarded to the rally leader, while two points will be awarded to the crew in second position and one point will be awarded to those in third.
In a further innovation for 2012, where a competitor finishes an event under 'SuperRally' regulations - a system that allows competitors who retire during the first and second leg of an event to restart on the following day - they will still be able to score Championship points.
Irish Tarmac Historic Championship
In an effort to raise the profile of the Historic Section, in addition to the current classes, TROA will also be introducing a new category to cater for FIA registered entries.
Championship Manager Don Wilmont confirmed that the changes have been introduced following consultation with competitors, organisers and Motorsport Ireland. He hopes that they will increase the level of competition for Championship honours by rewarding both outright speed and consistency, and that they will also raise the level of spectator interest in the Historics.
The 2011/12 Irish Tarmac Historic Championship begins with this next month's Killarney Historic Cars Stages Rally, which will take place over 3/4 December.
Championship Rounds
Posted: November 11, 2011 4:14 PM
International + National
Galway International Rally - 4-5 Feb 12
Circuit of Ireland International Rally - 6-9 Apr 12
Killarney International Rally of Lakes - 5-6 May 12
Donegal International Rally - 15-17 Jun 12
Ulster International Rally - 17-18 Aug 12
Cork 20 International Rally - 29-30 Sep 12
Historic Championship
Killarney Historic Stages Rally - (Sat) 3 Dec 11
Galway International Rally - 4-5 Feb 12
Circuit of Ireland International Rally - 6-9 Apr 12
Killarney International Rally of Lakes - 5-6 May 12
The Tarmac Rally Organisers Association has announced a number of changes for the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
The principal change is the confirmation that the Championship will remain a six round Irish Championship for 2012 and 2013.
David Gray, the TROA Chairman, stated: "This change reflects feedback from competitors and the current economic situation , however it does not preclude the return of former counting rounds the Isle of Man and the Jim Clark International at some future date."
It has also been confirmed that all homologated cars, including WRC entries, will be eligible to score Championship points.
The TROA is also poised to introduce a number of exciting new awards in 2012 for various categories including a Junior Tarmac Champion award, as well as points for overall fastest stage times and the winner of each leg of an event.
"These new awards and increased scoring opportunities will raise the profile of not just the competitors challenging for overall honours but also those competing for individual class honours,” said Championship Manager, Don Wilmont. “They will also provide additional exposure for their sponsors."
Other options to be introduced for 2012 include measures to raise the profile of the Historic Championship and the Modified Challenge for the non homologated entries.
"TROA recognise the increasing difficulty faced by competitors in the current economic climate and the organising clubs are examining means of reducing the cost to competitors,” concluded Gray. “Further details will be issued in due course."