2016 Tarmac Rally Championship

Tarmac Rally Championship Prizegiving - (Sat) 22 Oct 16

Posted: September 20, 2016 6:24 AM

Tarmac Rally Championship Prizegiving - (Sat) 22 Oct 16

Points after Final Round

Posted: March 24, 2016 11:10 AM

Available at:

Tarmac Championship Official Site

R2 Class has a new Associate Sponsor

Posted: March 10, 2016 9:53 AM

The directors of the T.R.O.A. are delighted to announce the Campsie Karting will be coming on board as associate sponsor for the R2 Class of the Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Tarmac Championship for 2016. The Managing Director of the Derry based Karting Arena is Mr. Eamonn Gallagher and speaking of his involvement Mr. Gallagher said "the R2 class in this year's championship is a great springboard for the younger drivers to sharpen their skills whilst competing in the Premier Rally Championship on the island of Ireland".

David Gray, chairman of the T.R.O.A. said that
"the T.R.O.A. were delighted to have Campsie Karting on board and wished to thank Mr. Gallagher and his team for adding further support to the T.R.O.A. Championship which is looking likely to be one of the most competitive in recent times".

Campsie Karting is a Leisure based company based just outside Derry city offering Karting, Archery and Paintball among its many activities.

Historic Championship Update

Posted: February 4, 2016 8:54 AM

"The T.R.O.A. has received a letter from the Killarney and District Motor Club stating that their Historic Rally postponed from its original date of 5th December 2015 is now formally cancelled.
Therefore in accordance with the 2016 Historic Championship Regulations Article 6.1, the number of counting rounds will be 7 out of 8."

David Gray,
Chairman T.R.O.A.

Alastair Fisher plans Irish Tarmac Attack for 2016

Posted: January 11, 2016 6:52 AM

Alastair Fisher will be making a welcome return to the Irish Tarmac scene for the coming season as he announced his commitment to the Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Tarmac Championship in 2016. The Fermanagh driver will have Gordon Noble on the notes and will campaign a Ford Fiesta R5 run by Dom Buckley Motorsport. It was 2010 that Alastair last competed on the full series, driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Group N when he claimed the GPN title and since then much of his rallying has taken place on the world stage. He is however looking forward to rallying back at home on a regular basis again.

"I've had some fantastic experiences in the WRC over past few seasons claiming victories and podiums in the WRC Academy and JWRC categories. However I'm very much looking forward to rallying back at home for the coming season and it promises to be very competitive with the new rules in place."

He also feels that the increased competition between the R5 & S2000 cars will create a great spectacle.
"I feel the R5 & S2000 competition will be intense which will lead to some great battles throughout the season as these cars can be spectacular when pushed hard. It will also be nice to have the Fisher name back out competing for the Irish Tarmac Championship."

Alastair has the advantage of having done most of the events before, with the one exception being the West Cork Rally where he has never competed. With the Corrib Oil Galway International Rally just under four weeks away his announcement is another welcome boost for the T.R.O.A. as the 2016 season has the potential to be one of the most competitive in years.

Competitors beginning to make plans for the 2016 Championship

Posted: December 17, 2015 3:57 AM

With just over seven weeks to go to the opening round of the 2016 Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, the Corrib Oil Galway International Rally, there is a lot of anticipation among the competitors with several of them having stated their intention to be in Galway with a view to taking part in the series. With the R5 / S2000 class the primary category eligible to score points towards the overall championship for next year, it has been a busy few weeks for the drivers as decisions on what car to drive for next year are being made.

One of the top talents on these islands, Keith Cronin, has a deal almost finalised to contest the championship in a Citroen DS3 R5. The Ballylickey driver hasn?t competed in Ireland on a regular basis for a number of years, but on the few occasions he has done so, he has been spectacularly quick and would be one of the favourites to take the title back to Cork for the first time since Billy Coleman in 1984. Another Citroen DS3 R5 that looks to be heading for Galway is that of Jonny Greer who featured well on the early rounds of the 2015 series, while other drivers making the switch to Citroen for next year cannot be ruled out.

There are a number of drivers committed to using a Fiesta R5 and plan to be in Galway, such as Stephen Wright who plans to upgrade his car to the latest spec, and Paraic Duffy has similar plans for his Fiesta while Brendan Cumiskey is making the switch from a Group N Mitsubishi to a Fiesta R5. The Moffett brothers have not yet decided on a marque for 2016 but have confirmed they will be in Galway, while the McHale association with the Tarmac Championship is set to continue as Aaron has purchased a Skoda S2000 with a full championship assault in mind and backing from Supermacs and Great Gas. Paul Rowley and Joe McGonigle are two others that will be out in Skoda S2000's for next year while John Mulholland has also purchased a similar car which will be run by Philip Case who currently has four cars to prepare for 2016.

Desi Henry is also planning to be in Galway and is currently working on a deal to move to an R5 car having sold his S2000 Skoda. Robert Barrable who had such a strong run in the Circuit of Ireland in 2015 is believed to be in the process of purchasing and intends to be in Galway while Joe Connolly in the Red Mills R5 Fiesta is also expected to commit to the championship. There are a number of other Irish drivers still working on deals which would see them contest the series and begin their campaign in Galway.

There are several interested parties from the UK, two of which are John Indri (Fiesta R5) and Damian Cole (Fiesta S2000) with several more working behind the scenes to finalise their plans for the coming season. The smaller R2 and R3 classes are also attracting much interest and should provide some fascinating battles for the coming season.

New Associate Sponsor for the Historic Championship

Posted: December 17, 2015 3:55 AM

The Directors of the T.R.O.A. are delighted to announce that CKH Environmental will be coming on board as associate sponsor for the Historic category of the Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Tarmac Rally Championship for 2016. The Cork based company?s Managing Director is Mr. Colman Hegarty, who is the current Clerk of the Course for the Cork 20 International Rally and is also a director of the T.R.O.A.

Speaking of the announcement Mr. Hegarty said
"the Historic Championship is seen as an ideal fit for the promotion of their company and products, and that he and his company were looking forward to the 2016 Historic Championship and is confident that the sponsorship will be beneficial for both sides".

T.R.O.A. chairman, David Gray, said that
"they were delighted to have CKH Environmental come on board and wished to thank Mr. Hegarty and his company for their support for the Historic Championship in 2016, which is continuing to grow in popularity.

CKH Environmental is a Cork based company that specialises in the supply & installation of Klargester Pollution control products, car, truck & heavy machinery detergents, and a range of commercial diesel dispensers and fuel management systems."

Championship Rounds

Posted: December 2, 2015 3:04 PM

Killarney Historic Stages Rally - (Sat) 5 Dec 15 (Historics)
Galway International Rally - 6-7 Feb 16
West Cork Rally - 12-13 Mar 16
Circuit of Ireland - 7-9 Apr 16
Killarney International Rally of the Lakes - 30 Apr-1 May 16
Donegal International Rally - 17-19 Jun 16
Ulster Rally - 19-20 Aug 16
Isle of Man - 15-17 Sep 16 (Historic & Modifieds)
Cork 20 International Rally 1-2 Oct 16

Championship Website

Posted: December 1, 2015 1:56 PM

Tarmac Championship Official Site

Donegal Motor Club - Joule Donegal International Rally 2016 - Statement on TROA Championship

Posted: August 28, 2015 6:48 AM

In July 9th 2015 Donegal Motor Club Ltd (DMC) announced its intended withdrawal from the 2016 Irish Tarmac Championship (TROA) due to its proposed new format. DMC could not support the changes to the points scoring system and the effective banning of WRC cars from the series. Nor was it satisfied that enough R5 entries would be in place to replace them. TROA had been informed of this decision on July 2nd 2015.

DMC had proposed that both R5 cars and WRC cars should be eligible to compete for the Championship on the basis that each could score equal points, as a compromise between a total WRC ban, and an R5-only series. DMC also disagreed with the proposed ramp protocol, and believes the winner of a Rally, regardless of the type of car they use, must be recognised as the winner.

At a meeting on July 26th TROA asked DMC to reconsider its decision to withdraw, and clarified that WRC cars will not be banned from the series but will continue to enter the events and receive the same media recognition, including TV, as before. This will include full recognition at the finish ramp.

DMC also attended at meetings in Dublin with competitors on 22nd May and the 29th July 2015. It emerged that there are strong differences of opinion between those who have always supported the Championship and those who wish to see it support R5-only, but an even stronger view among them all that there should be unity within the sport. This was not fostered by the way in which the format of the 2016 championship was proposed to DMC.

DMC is a founder member of TROA, and considers the fair treatment of competitors and the health of the TROA Championship to be vital for Irish Motorsport. DMC has consulted widely with competitors and interested parties, and by reason of the assurances and request received from TROA, has reconsidered its position and will, in the interests of the unity of the sport, continue in the Irish Tarmac Championship in 2016. We consider the format of the TROA to be a matter for ongoing discussion, which we will address at future TROA meetings.

Donegal Motor Club now looks forward to the 2016 TROA Championship and wishes every competitor a safe and successful year. The Donegal International Rally will start on Friday 17th June 2016.

Donegal MC Statement regarding the 2016 TROA Championship

Posted: July 11, 2015 4:12 PM

"As from a meeting on the 1st July 2015, Donegal Motor Club having considered the detrimental implications announced by the T.R.O.A on 24th June 2015 noting changes to the championship points scoring system and excluding WRC cars from winning the 2016 Championship.

Donegal Motor Club has unanimously decided to withdraw the Joule Donegal International Rally 2016 from this Championship as it feels strongly this system would not benefit or enhance our event in this current form.

Donegal Motor Club has obligations to represent its members and competitors across the island of Ireland and the UK."

Changes to the Irish Tarmac Championship Points Structure for 2016

Posted: July 11, 2015 4:10 PM

"The Tarmac Rally Organisers Association (T.R.O.A.) wishes to announce changes to the points structure for the 2016 Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. These changes do not affect the various vehicle classes which will remain the same as set out in the 2015 Regulations.

The 2016 season will see competitors running in Classes 1 to 5 inclusive scoring points for the Overall Championship. Competitors running in Class 6 will be in a standalone class and therefore only eligible for class points. Competitors running in Class 7 will be able to score points for a new trophy, called the WRC Class 7 Trophy. The changes to the points structure are subject to MI approval.

There are no proposed changes to the Historic and Modified Championships."