Fastnet Stages Rally (Bantry) - 25 Oct 15

BANTRY BECKONS FOR TRITON SHOWERS FASTNET FINALE - Preview courtesy of Triton Showers ? proud sponsors of the National Rally Championship

Posted: October 23, 2015 9:47 AM

The Triton Showers National Rally Championship concludes in Bantry in West Cork with the Westlodge Hotel Fastnet Rally on Sunday next. Although Donegal's Donagh Kelly (Ford Focus WRC) has already clinched the series there are a number of issues still to be resolved on the nine-stage event.

The third and final overall placing, the Motorsport Safety Group N award, the rally.ie title and the Triton Showers Junior National Rally Championship are amongst those down for decision in Bantry that will bring an end to a fine year on the Triton Trail.

Chairman of the organising committee, Richard Talbot put the season in context. "With our new sponsor, Triton Showers, we have managed to continue the very successful format of the series in a seamless fashion. However, increased entries on the eight rounds is also a reflection of Kevin's (Barrett) popularity within the sport. It kicked off with a very successful launch last January and following the Westlodge Hotel Fastnet Rally, the awards ceremony in Athlone (November 21st.) is the perfect way to end a superb season. Next year, eight different locations as opposed to this year, will continue the effective reign of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship."

Third overall rests between Clonmel's Roy White (Ford Fiesta WRC) and Castleisland's Alan Ring (Subaru WRC). White leads by a mere point but with dropped scores taken into consideration, the pendulum swings in favour of Ring by an eight point margin and in that respect White faces a tough battle. The matter is even more complex as Ring explains, "Work commitments are really pressing at the moment and right now, I don't know, I may have to pull the plug on it unfortunately. At the beginning of the season a top three was our aim, I know I missed Sligo, but we are there or thereabouts." Ring will make a final decision later in the week.

In his absence, White will secure third and continue his remarkable record of a top three finish in the last three seasons. Of course in Bantry he will compete in his recently acquired Ford Fiesta WRC and will be keen to impress in a car that he hopes will make him a real Triton title contender in 2016.

Meanwhile, in terms of outright victory Midleton's Daragh O'Riordan (Ford Fiesta WRC), who is the top seed, is aiming to win the event for an unprecedented fourth time. Since the rally moved its base to Bantry, O'Riordan has won on three occasions ? in 2011 in a Subaru WRC and in 2012 and last year in his current Ford Fiesta WRC.

Another Cork driver Clonakilty's Kevin Kelleher (Subaru WRC) could spring a surprise and give O'Riordan, Ring and White a tough challenge. A former Group N National champion, Kelleher finished fourth in both the Abbeyleix Rally and the Circuit of Munster earlier in the season.

Meanwhile, Kevin Barrett (Subaru WRC), who finished just behind Kelleher in the Circuit of Munster where he took the final bonus point, will aim to finish the season on a positive note having retired from the last round in Galway with suspension damage.

The next three seeds, Donegal's Declan Gallagher (Toyota Starlet) and Cavan duo Jonathan Pringle (Ford Escort) and Chris Armstrong (Ford Escort) are in contention for the rally.ie award. Even though Armstrong leads with 67 points from Gallagher (65pts) and Pringle (64pts) it is Gallagher that is in the most advantageous position. His score is from five events and he can add all the points from his Bantry expedition. Armstrong and Pringle must drop their lowest scores - 10 and 6 respectively and then add the Bantry points - provided they are higher.

Meanwhile, Cavan's Gary Kiernan (Ford Escort), the latest bi-monthly nominee for the Billy Coleman award and who finished second overall in the recent non-championship Donegal Harvest Rally, will occupy the number nine berth. The top ten is completed by Monaghan's Daniel McKenna - the British Rally champion will drive the Brendan Kelly Toyota GT86.

Tyrone's Aidan Wray (Mitsubishi Evo X) is the top seeded Group N driver as he bids to win the Motorsport Safety Group N title, his retirement from the previous round in Galway was due to clutch failure. Paul Barrett (Subaru) and former champion Neil Tohill (Mitsubishi) are his championship rivals. In event terms, local driver David Guest (Mitsubishi) will be aiming to serve up a strong performance. He actually led the category in the Raven's Rock Rally in Waterford until driveshaft failure halted his progress.

Elsewhere, Ballylickey's Daniel Cronin will campaign the Subaru WRC that won the event in 2009 in the hands of his uncle Denis, Cronin will be followed by Tyrone's Ryan Loughran (Ford Escort).
Killarney's Rob Duggan (Peugeot 208 R2) is returning to Bantry, last year he drove a Mitsubishi to fourth overall.

There should be a fascinating battle in Class 11F with Bandon's Vincent McSweeney (Honda Civic) and a host of other very competitive drivers. Amongst them, Clonakilty's Cal McCarthy (Honda Civic), who won the class last year, Kerry's David Fleming, Rosscarbery's Jason O'Mahony and former National Junior champion Donoughmore's Bernard Foley, all in Honda Civics.

Others on the 120 plus entry are Killarney's Fergus O'Meara (Ford Escort), Dunmanway's Jason McSweeney (Mitsubishi), Triton Showers R5 champion Wexford's Graham Scallan (Mitsubishi Evo X), Baltimore's Stephen Carey (Honda Civic), Monaghan's Barry McKenna (Escort), Down's Fintan McGrady (Ford Escort) and Clonmel's Patrick Kearney (Mitsubishi Evo IX).

An interesting entry is that of Castletownbere native Liam O'Sullivan (Honda Civic), who journeys home from Australia to compete in the rally.

In the Triton Showers Junior Rally Championship the title will be decided in favour of either Wexford's James Bradley (Honda Civic) and Roscommon's Cormac Phelan (Citroen C2R2) in a winner takes all situation.

Ahead of the season finale, Kevin Barrett, M.D. Triton Showers remarked, "Our involvement, aside from our very strong links with rallying, was to promote the Triton brand to a wide audience. I think we have achieved that through television, print and social media in a very spectacular way. The championship committee led by Richard Talbot along with the organising clubs have done a marvellous job and they deserve great credit."

rally.ie award - BATTLE OF BANTRY

Posted: October 23, 2015 9:44 AM

The rally.ie title will be decided on the Westlodge Hotel Fastnet Rally between Donegal?s Declan Gallagher (Toyota Starlet) and Cavan duo Jonathan Pringle (Ford Escort) and Chris Armstrong (Ford Escort).

Even though Armstrong leads with 67 points from Gallagher (65pts) and Pringle (64pts) it is Gallagher that is in the most advantageous position. His score of 65 points is from five events and he can add all the points from his Bantry expedition as the title is based on the best six results from eight events.

Armstrong and Pringle must drop their lowest scores - 10 and 6 respectively and then add the Bantry points - provided they are higher of course.

Entries Update

Posted: October 22, 2015 5:50 AM

List of current withdrawals as of 20th October :

Car No:
2 Alan Ring
25 Fintan McGrady
32 Sam Johnston
39 Paul McCann
79 Ger Cullinane
84 Kieran Hayes
99 John O'Donovan
J1 James Bradley

Additional entries received as of the 20th October :

John Hendy
Mark Ewing
Melvyn Evans
Neil Spain

Juniors
Johnny Traynor

Please note we will still accept entries right up to and including Saturday 24th October 2015. If for any reason a listed competitor cannot compete on this event, we ask that the organizers be notified as soon as possible.

Final Instructions 1 / Time and Distance

Posted: October 22, 2015 5:49 AM

Available at:

SKIBBEREEN & DISTRICT CAR CLUB

FASTNET FLIER UDPATE

Posted: October 20, 2015 4:32 PM

Kerry driver Alan Ring (Subaru WRC) has withdrawn his entry from Sunday?s Bantry based Westlodge Hotel Fastnet Rally, the eighth and final round of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship.

His withdrawal means that Clonmel?s Roy White, who will drive his new Ford Fiesta WRC, is in a stronger position to secure third overall in the Triton series and continue his remarkable run of a top three finish since 2013. Ring had previously expressed doubts about his participation due to other commitments.

Donegal?s Declan Gallagher (Toyota Starlet) is now the only driver that can deprive White of third place ? if White was to fail to finish, Gallagher must claim 20 points to net the final overall place in the Triton series - including Bonus Points, there is a maximum of 23 points on offer in Bantry.

Meanwhile, the organisers, the Skibbereen and District Car Club have received a late entry from former National rally champion Mel Evans, who will actually drive the same S12B Subaru WRC that Ring campaigned in the Triton series.

Evans won the Fastnet Rally when it was based in Skibbereen in 2010, he will have Patrick Walsh on the pacenotes.

Brian Duggan of Rally.ie fame and Proud Sponsors of the National 2 Wheel Drive award in the National Championship for the last number of years will team up with Kevin Kelleher in the Subaru S9 WRC for this weekends Fastnet Rally. Kevin the 2009 Dunlop National Group N Champion and Brian the 2010 Dunlop National Group N Champion are seeded at 4 for Round 8 of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship the Westlodge Hotel Fastnet Rally.

Seeded Entry List

Posted: October 16, 2015 6:14 PM

Fastnet Stages Rally (Bantry) - 25 Oct 15 - SEEDED ENTRY LIST

King of the 1600s Challenge Cup

Posted: October 9, 2015 3:43 AM

MAYOR LAUNCHES WESTLODGE HOTEL FASTNET RALLY

Posted: September 27, 2015 8:43 AM

One of West Cork's major sporting fixtures, the Westlodge Hotel Fastnet Rally (October 25th) was launched in Bantry over the weekend by Cllr. John Paul O'Shea, Mayor of the County of Cork. The function, at the Westlodge Hotel, that included political and sporting dignitaries was extremely well attended. In his welcome, the Chairperson of the Skibbereen & District Car Club, Niall O'Sullivan underlined the importance of the support of the Westlodge Hotel for the fifth consecutive year along with the Bantry Development & Tourism Association, who are associate sponsors of the rally.
"The Westlodge Hotel Fastnet Rally is a major boost and benefit to business and tourism sectors in Bantry. The influx of visitors and followers of the rally generate important revenue to the area in the shoulder season."
He added, "It requires the dedication and enthusiasm of many people from so many different organisations to make this event happen. These include Cork County Council, the Garda, Doctors, HSE, Civil Defence, Red Cross, the marshals and especially the residents on the stages." Mr. O'Sullivan also thanked the media for promoting the rally.

Clerk of the Course, Ger Hayes paid tribute to all involved with the rally particularly the Westlodge Hotel and the Bantry Development and Tourism Association. He also outlined the work of his team over the coming weeks.
"We will be working on entries, phoning competitors and trying to get as many competitors as possible to compete in the rally. The Modified and Junior categories of the Triton series still have to be decided and that should make for some good contests. We are one of very few organisers to have the service area located in the host town and this is a great opportunity for people to watch that element of the rally."

Meanwhile, in his address Cllr. John Paul O'Shea said, "In many respects Culture Night ties in very appropriately with the launch tonight as rallying is very much part of our sporting culture, particularly in County Cork. I'm a native of North Cork where we have many great rally drivers, none more so than Billy Coleman one of the iconic figures in Irish rallying. I know that you have your own particular hero here in West Cork with Keith Cronin ? a triple British Rally Champion just a few miles away from us here in Ballylickey."

Highlighting the importance of the rally to the Bantry region, the County Mayor added, "It is no coincidence that the Westlodge Hotel Fastnet Rally is indeed a big team effort. In addition, the rally itself is not just a sporting occasion, it is also a major contributor to the local economy. The three strands of the rally? the Skibbereen and District Car Club, the Westlodge Hotel and the Bantry Development & Tourism Association have forged a strong synergy to ensure its success."

During the evening there were interviews with Triple British Rally Champion Keith Cronin, rally co-drivers Michelle Gallwey and Edel McCarthy, Richard Talbot of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship Committee and Frank O'Mahony, event Safety Officer. Speakers included Pat Gill, General Manager of the Westlodge Hotel; Eileen O'Shea of the Bantry Development and Tourism Association and Sean Mahon, M.D. of the Southern Star, Media Partners along with C103, of the rally,

Meanwhile, the O'Riordan family from Skibbereen presented the Michael O'Riordan Perpetual Trophy in honour of Michael O'Riordan, a former Clerk of the Course of the event, who was tragically killed in a work accident last year. The trophy will be awarded to the top Skibbereen & District Car Club co-driver in the rally.

During the evening, Sean Mahon and Kieran McCarthy of the Southern Star along with Ger Hayes of the Skibbereen and District Car Club and Eileen O'Shea, Bantry Development and Tourism Association made presentations to Martin Walsh to mark 30 years of motorsport with the Southern Star.

The Westlodge Hotel Fastnet Rally is the final round of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship and counting rounds of the PlasticBags.ie Southern 4 Championship and the Carbery Plastics Skibbereen and District Car Club Championship. Television coverage of the rally will be shown as a 30-minute programme on TG4 and a number of satellite television stations thereby showcasing this beautiful area of our county to a global audience.

On Line Entry / Regulations

Posted: September 13, 2015 6:36 AM

Evo On line Entries

Shannon Sports IT (EVO On line Entry)

Fastnet Stages Rally (Bantry) - 25 Oct 15 - REGULATIONS / ENTRY FORM

WESTLODGE HOTEL UNDERLINES SUPPORT FOR FASTNET RALLY

Posted: August 4, 2015 5:46 AM

Clerk of the Course of the Westlodge Hotel Fastnet Rally, Ger Hayes (front) with (left to right)
Kathleen O'Sullivan, PRO, Westlodge Hotel Fastnet Rally, Pat Gill, General Manager Westlodge Hotel
and Eileen O'Shea, Bantry Tourism and Development.
Photo: Martin Walsh

With the Westlodge Hotel in Bantry set to move up a gear with its new owners planning extensive refurbishments, it has also underlined its commitment to the Fastnet Rally that takes place in the maritime town on the final weekend of October next.

General Manager, Pat Gill commented,
"Our hotel has just been sold and the new owners are from the Bantry/West Cork area and have assured their genuine commitment to the future of the hotel. They have planned to spend over a million euro on refurbishing and upgrading the hotel and it is hoped that the first phase of this work will be completed in time for the rally on October 25th. All of the hotel bedrooms will be completely upgraded by Rally 2016."

Mr. Gill added, "As the title sponsor, the Westlodge Hotel is honoured and excited about being associated with Skibbereen & District Car Club in celebrating the hosting of this major sporting event. We are working together with the clerk of the course Ger Hayes and his team at the club along with members of the Bantry Development & Tourism Association to improve and enhance this year's event. The hotel is offering very competitive room rates and many different food options for this year's event and hopefully, competitors and spectators will have good value for money."

The Westlodge Hotel Fastnet Rally is the final round of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship and counting rounds of the PlasticBags.ie Southern 4 Championship and the Carbery Plastics Skibbereen and District Car Club Championship.

Although Donegal's Donagh Kelly has already won the Triton series, the battle for second and third overall remains in the balance between Monaghan's Niall Maguire, Kerry's Alan Ring and Tipperary's Roy White. The Motorsport Safety Group N award, the Triton Showers Mk2 Escort Challenge and all the classes remain undecided at present.

Since the rally moved to Bantry in 2011, Midleton's Darragh O'Riordan has won on three occasions - 2011, 2012 and 2104 while local driver Denis Cronin from Ballylickey triumphed in 2103. In 2011 O'Riordan beat multiple rally champion Eugene Donnelly by six seconds.

Press Release No. 1 - GETTING INTO GEAR FOR WESTLODGE HOTEL FASTNET RALLY

Posted: July 12, 2015 6:44 PM

The Skibbereen & District Car Club are currently in the midst of organising their premier event, the Westlodge Hotel Fastnet Rally that takes place on Sunday 25th October next. The rally is the final round of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship and also rounds of the PlasticBags.ie Southern 4 Rally Championship and the Carbery Plastics Skibbereen & District Car Club Championship.

Clerk of the Course for the nine stage event Ger Hayes commented on changes to different aspects of the rally,
"We will have the Ceremonial Start on Saturday evening (24th October) probably a little earlier than other years. There will be a brief service on Sunday morning, following which the rally will be based on a three stage loop format with servicing after the first and second loops. I am very pleased with the route chosen this year and I think competitors and spectators will have an impressive day of rallying. The Westlodge Hotel is again our title sponsor and rally headquarters. We intend to have the finish ramp outside the main entrance of the hotel. The prize giving ceremony will also take place much earlier than previous years, probably around 8pm"

Meanwhile, Pat Gill, General Manager of the Westlodge Hotel remarked
"I am delighted that the Westlodge Hotel is the title sponsor yet again and I look forward to being associated with the rally for as long as possible for both the Westlodge Hotel and for the town of Bantry. I look forward to welcoming all competitors and spectators from far and wide to what promises to be a fantastic weekend. We want to offer more to the rallying fraternity and also improve the property here, we want more people to stay here over the two nights rather than one night. We also want to put on more entertainment for families. We will offer a great range of deals for the rally weekend.

Eileen O'Shea, Chairperson of the Bantry Development and Tourism Association commented,
"We run five different festivals here in Bantry and the Westlodge Hotel Fastnet Rally is one of the main events of the season. We are looking forward to having it back again this year. It's proving very successful due to the great support we get here in the town and the publicity that it generates.

The partnership between the Skibbereen and District Car Club and the Bantry Development and Tourism Association continues to be a vital part of the rally and both groups are committed to raising the profile of the maritime town. Eileen added, "Yes, I think it is doing that, and in fact it can get better, we are working on it to attract more people, especially overseas competitors. Tourism is all about getting visitors into the town, we want to attract more drivers in the hope that they will come back for the family holidays."

On the Limit Sports will be in Bantry to record the action as it happens. The rally will be televised on terrestrial and satellite television which will prove to be a huge boost for the tourism industry.

Club Website

Posted: July 12, 2015 6:42 PM

SKIBBEREEN & DISTRICT CAR CLUB