2014 National Rally Championship

Points after Final Round (Provisional)

Posted: August 14, 2014 9:40 AM

Available at:

National Rally Championship Website

DUNLOP ENDS SPONSORSHIP OF NATIONAL RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

Posted: July 17, 2014 3:57 PM

ONE of the strongest and longest sponsorship associations in Irish motorsport will cease at the end of the season as Dunlop has announced it will not be renewing its title sponsorship of the National Rally Championship.

The announcement brings to an end a glorious chapter that began in 2000 and has seen the series become one of the most popular and envied rally championships in Europe. It is also being made to allow the championship organisers the opportunity to seek a new championship sponsor for 2015 and beyond.

Commenting on the decision, Steve Lynch, Marketing & Public Relations Manager, Goodyear Dunlop Ireland said,
“Dunlop has chosen to focus its motorsport activities on circuit racing and will continue to invest in targeted international and national championships. Dunlop thanks the organisers and competitors in the National Rally Championship for a long and successful partnership and hopes to continue to build strong sporting relationships with Motorsport Ireland in the future.”

During its tenure as title sponsor there has been many notable success stories - Donegal’s Paul Harris (Subaru) won the Dunlop series in 2000 while in 2002 Monaghan’s Niall Maguire (Subaru WRC) became the first driver to win three national titles – a feat that still stands the test of time. The Donnelly’s, Eugene (2003) and Charlie (2006) became the first set of brothers to win the series. Back to back victories in 2008/2009 for Cavan’s Patrick Elliott ended a period of ten years since the feat was previously achieved. In 2010 Welshman Melvyn Evans (Subaru WRC) became the first overseas driver to win the series with the magnificent Vard Memorial Trophy crossing the Irish Sea for the very first time.

With a high profile, one of the principal reasons behind the success of the Dunlop National Rally Championship was the synergy between the Dunlop National Rally Championship Sub-Committee, Motorsport Ireland and Dunlop. The sub-committee led for the most part by Richard Talbot streamlined many facets of the series. With a total of 14 clubs involved, the group constantly tweaked the series and showed their awareness of factors such as the downturn in the economic climate by reducing the series to an eight round format. Indeed, just recently, the committee has introduced a new rota system that will give a different eight round campaign on successive seasons.

Further to the Dunlop announcement, Richard Talbot remarked,
“The National Rally Championship sub-committee would like to thank Dunlop for their fantastic support and sponsorship of the Ireland's leading rally championship over the last fourteen years. Dunlop through its management Steve Lynch and former MD Richard Warbrick have been a pleasure to work with during their time as title sponsors.” He added, “The championship has seen many innovations during the period of Dunlop involvement that will leave a legacy and provide the platform to continue as Ireland's leading rally championship. We have begun the process of negotiation for a new sponsor and we really look forward to implementing our new rota system in 2015 and 2016 that includes a new round each year, this format will be repeated into the 2017 and 2018 seasons.”

Meanwhile, Alex Sinclair, Chief Executive, Motorsport Ireland commented,
“The relationship between Dunlop and Irish motor sport is over 110 years old. From time to time during this period there has been a shift in emphasis, but the relationship has stayed strong throughout. I am confident it will continue to remain so. It is to the credit of our clubs and championship committee, led by Richard Talbot, that Dunlop's sponsorship of our premier National Rally Championship has been such an outstanding success.”

The current Dunlop National Rally Championship will resume on August 10th. next with the Clonmel based Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally, round five of the eight round campaign and is set for a thrilling finish. Eleven points cover the top trio of Paddy McVeigh, Steve Wood and Roy White while Declan Boyle and Hugh Hunter, albeit each with two non-finishes, remain a potent threat.

NEW ROTA SYSTEM ADOPTS BIENNIAL APPROACH

Posted: July 17, 2014 3:52 PM

Organisers of the Dunlop National Rally Championship have formulated a new rota for the series based on a two-year template that will come into effect from next season. The biennial rota has been approved by the Rallies Committee further to extensive discussions by the Dunlop National Rally Championship Sub-Committee following a meeting of all the clubs earlier this year.

The aim of the review group was to provide a more balanced geographical representation with four (4) rounds in the northern half and four (4) in the southern half of the country. As far as possible the period between events was kept to a minimum of two weeks. With the introduction of the Midland Rally to the series next year and the return of the ALMC Rally the following year, the championship will now have eight different events each season.

Chairman of the National Rally Championship Sub-Committee Richard Talbot commented,
“We have tried to keep changes to a minimum but the constant freshening of the series is of paramount importance. The addition of the Midland Rally and the return of the ALMC Rally is an added dimension to the series and the respective clubs, like the present 14 clubs, will bring their own particular flavour to the championship but will also play a crucial role under the national umbrella. It is our opinion that the new format will further increase the popularity of the series and make it more attractive to competitors from all over the country.”

2016 National Rally Championship
2015 National Rally Championship

Group R Award for the Dunlop National Rally Championship 2014

Posted: March 3, 2014 10:07 PM

The Dunlop National Rally Championship will have a Group R Award for the 2014 Championship.
It will be run in a similar fashion to the present Group N Award .
The winner will be the Highest Placed Group R car in the overall standings counting the best 6 scores from 8 events.

2014 Dunlop National Championship Poster

Posted: February 18, 2014 12:26 PM

DUNLOP STAY ON TRACK WITH NATIONAL RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP - Courtesy of Dunlop proud sponsors of the National Rally Championship

Posted: November 22, 2013 10:15 AM

WITH a strong tradition of their involvement in Irish Motorsport, it has been confirmed that Dunlop are to continue its sponsorship of the Irish National Rally Championship. Speaking at the awards ceremony for this year’s series at the Sheraton Hotel in Athlone on Saturday night, Steve Lynch, Marketing and Public Relations Manager, highlighted the unique relationship between Motorsport Ireland, the championship organisers and the individual clubs that ensure the Dunlop National Rally Championship has such a high profile. He said,
“The Dunlop National Rally Championship is one of the most prestigious and important motorsport championships in Ireland. We are delighted to be in a position to extend the title sponsorship. Dunlop has a proud motorsport heritage in Ireland, where it has been involved in motor racing for over 100 years.

He added, “Dunlop has celebrated great success in this, its 125th year, whether that is in this championship or in endurance racing, winning races across the globe and here in Ireland, has given the Dunlop team a great deal of pride and we will look to build on that in 2014 and beyond.”

Meanwhile, Richard Talbot, Chairman of the Dunlop National Rally Championship Sub-Committee remarked,
“We are delighted that Dunlop have committed to continue as sponsors of the National Rally Championship for 2014. This announcement will allow us to continue to promote and maintain the Dunlop series as Ireland's number one rally championship.”

Donegal’s, Declan Boyle and his cousin, Brian Boyle, were presented with the overall awards. Declan received the magnificent Vard Memorial Trophy from Wendy Vard and Steve Lynch presented Brian with the Noel Smyth Trophy. The Donegal duo won five of the six rounds they contested and secured the title at the Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally in Clonmel last August.

The 2013 Dunlop champions will defend their title in 2014 and try to equal the feat of back to back titles – previously achieved by Patrick Elliott (2008 & 2009), John Gilleece ((1997 &1998) Stephen Murphy (1995 &1996) , Bertie Law (1983 & 1984) and Ger Buckley (1979 & 1980). Monaghan’s, Niall Maguire remains the only driver to have won the national series on three occasions – 1999, 2002 and 2004. Declan Boyle commented, “We will certainly compete in the Dunlop series in 2014. It’s a great championship and we will be back for more.”

Dunlop began its sponsorship of the national series in 2000 when it was won by Convoy’s, Paul Harris. Another Donegal driver, Vincent Bonner won the national series in 1987.

Championship Rounds

Posted: October 24, 2013 9:20 AM

1. Mayo Stages Rally - Sunday March 9th
2. Circuit of Kerry Stages Rally - Sunday April 6th
3. Carlow Stages Rally - Sunday May 11th
4. Circuit of Munster Rally - Sunday June 1st
5. Tipperary Stages Rally - Sunday August 10th
6. Galway Summer Rally - Sunday August 31st
7. Clare Stages Rally - Sunday September 21st
8. Donegal Harvest Rally - Saturday October 11th

Main Championship 8 Events best 6 Scores to count
Historic and Juniors best 4 events from 8
The Championship is open to all cars and licences holders
The Overall Winner receives the Vard Trophy .

The Championship also includes the following National Titles ....

• National Group N
• Dunlop National MK 2 Champions Trophy
• Rally.ie National 2 Wheel Drive Trophy
• National Historic Champion
• National Junior Champion

More Details:

National Rally Championship Website