Beginner's Rally School Starts - Wed 9 Oct 02 for 5 weeks Posted: September 24, 2002 11:01 AM

Thanks to Colin Courtney

Every hardened rally spectator has stood at the side of a stage wondering how to get started in the sport, and if they'd be any good at it. Well, now's your chance to see if you have what it takes to become the next Nicky Grist or Robert Reid. The Newry and District Motor Club, together with the Rathfriland Motor Club are running a beginner's rally school in October, to teach wannabe co-drivers the trick of the trade, and help them on their way to a competition future. They'll also show you that a tulip is not only something that grows in your garden.

The course will run for five weeks on Wednesday nights throught October. The classes will be held in the Old George, Rathfriland, and will start on Wednesday the 9th October. The first three Wednesday nights will explain the different types of Rally navigation involved, including such items as tulips, map trace, grid reference, grid lines and spot heights.

World Cup Rally - A COUNTRY A DAY FOR IRISH RALLY CREW Posted: September 19, 2002 3:58 PM

Dublin duo aim for World Cup Rally success

Martin Taylor and Peter Gallagher will be aiming for a repeat Irish success on the 2002 World Cup Rally next month when they compete in the London to Athens event. Starting from Blenheim Palace in Britain on October 5th, the Dublin duo will tackle the 4,300 kilometre marathon rally which will take them across 12 countries in 12 days to the Greek finish on October 16th.

IRISH BEAUTY BEATS THE COMPETITION TO BE THE NEW rallyXS PIRELLI GIRL Posted: September 17, 2002 3:06 PM

Juliet Ward, the gorgeous rally fanatic from Cork has been voted the first ever Irish winner in the 2002 rallyXS Pirelli Girl competition.

Juliet, 21, made it through to the finals from thousands of entries, where she competed with 22 other stunning contenders at the exclusive Stoke Park Golf Club- famous for 007 James Bond's game of golf with arch villain Goldfinger.

The brainy law graduate wowed judges as she went through a series of photo shoots, interviews, tests and tasks and was picked to be one of the final six to be voted for by the readers of rallyXS and News of the World - who voted on line, by phone and via SMS text messaging.

Byrnes - King of the Hills .. Again! Posted: September 17, 2002 7:43 AM

Having missed out on receiving the Frank Keane Perpetual Trophy after winning the Motorsport Ireland Hillclimb/Sprint Challenge last year, Galway man Frank Byrnes was more determined than ever to get his hands on the prestigious trophy this season. In his 2.0 litre Oliver Walsh Motors (Hyundai) backed Formula Opel Reynard, consistent performances with eight wins and four second places put him at the top of the leaderboard at each event and in return helped to secure the title with two rounds to go.

Ollie O’Donovan to run Hyundai WRC on Clare Stages & Cork 20 Posted: August 27, 2002 1:35 PM

Ollie O’ Donovan has secured a deal with Hyundai Preparation giants Motor Sport Developments (MSD) to bring an Accent WRC to Ireland.

Peugeot Sport UK - Winter Series - DATES/LOCATIONS CONFIRMED Posted: August 6, 2002 10:54 AM

Winter Series Events

Following on from the announcement of the 206 Winter Cup, Peugeot Sport are now delighted to announce the events which will take part in the new championship.

Blue Circle Stages Rally - 21 Sep 02 Posted: August 6, 2002 10:48 AM

Thanks to Bob McKeown

Cookstown MC are promoting the all tarmac pace note Blue Circle Stages rally on 21st September.

Donegal Driver leads Peugeot Rally Championship in the U.K. Posted: July 31, 2002 3:55 PM

Letterkenny rally driver, Shaun Gallagher, is the new leader of Britain’s top one-make Championship, the Peugeot 206 Super Cup, after recording a series of consistent results in the six rounds held to date.

Peugoet 206 Cup - The Quinton Rally - 27 Jul 02 Posted: July 29, 2002 8:38 PM

Gallagher takes championship lead>

Shaun Gallagher continued his excellent run of good form at the weekend when he finished second in the Quinton Rally and with that took control at the top of championship table. Shaun began the day perfectly with fastest time on the opening stage. He maintained this pace over the next few stages whilst also maintaining complete control over the car and his overall position, remaining in the top three all day.

Peugoet 206 Cup - The Quinton Rally - 27 Jul 02 Posted: July 29, 2002 8:37 PM

"More Moore"
The Quinton Rally saw the fifth round of the TOTAL supported 206 Super Cup return to Wales. 25 competitors fought the battle over 8 stages and 45 miles. With the mileage low compared to recent events and no recce, it was to be a sprint from start to finish with no room for error.

Gallagher Ups Title Challenge Posted: July 24, 2002 9:41 AM

Peugeot 206 Super Cup - Quinton Rally - 27th July 2002

Just two weeks after the Jim Clark Memorial Rally in Scotland the Total backed Peugeot 206 Cup will take part in the Quinton Rally this Saturday. With such a tight battle at the top of the championship table the Quinton will undoubtedly be just as competitive as the previous rounds. Shaun Gallagher is fresh from his 2nd place on the Jim Clark and relishing the opportunity of continuing his recent good form.

2002 BIO-CLEAR Lark in the Park - (Sat) 20 Jul 02 Posted: July 24, 2002 7:46 AM

by Declan Mc Cay
Biggerstaff rules St. Columb's Park O.K.

Denis Biggerstaff and his Metro 6R4 did the double in Derry to-day, and won both the main 5 stage Lark in the Park and the Super Shoot out after the main event.

In an thrilling nail biter of a rally, the top 6 drivers swapped times all day, with fractions of a second separating more than 4 of the contenders throughout the whole day.

SPERRIN CRYSTAL TARMAC STAGES RALLY - 4 Aug 02 Posted: July 19, 2002 3:19 PM

by Alan Bolton

Magherafelt & District Motor Club limited are to run a Tarmac Stage Rally in the Cookstown area on Sunday 4th August. 5 stages covering 25 stage miles, 2 five mile closed road stages and 3 stages on tarmac forest drives.

Statement from Motorsport Ireland - Sun 23 Jun 02 Posted: June 23, 2002 5:04 PM

Statement from Motorsport Ireland
Sunday 23rd June 2002

The full Motorsport Commission, the committee responsible for all motorsport in Ireland, met earlier this morning, Sunday 23rd June 2002 to review the tragic events of last Friday at the Donegal International Rally.

Having carefully considered all of the information available at this point of time, the Commission is satisfied that the agreed Safety Plan for the event was carried out in the correct manner. It is clear that what happened, whilst devastating in it's consequences, was an accident.

The Motorsport Commission again extended it's deepest sympathies to the families and friends of George Clarke and Gerard McKenna.

Motorsport Ireland officials will continue to work with representatives of the Donegal Motor Club and An Garda Siochana in the ongoing investigation.

In the light of Friday's tragedy the Commission has taken a decision to review the current Safety Plans for all upcoming events.

Safety of both spectators and competitors is of paramount importance in motorsport. To that end Motorsport Ireland has a Safety Review Committee which is currently looking at all aspects of safety in rallying. They have been directed to examine the circumstances of Friday's accident in their review which is due to be completed in September this year.

Fethard (Wexford) Single Stage Rally 2002 - 16 Jun 02 Posted: June 17, 2002 7:41 AM

by John Dier & Will Downing

David James has won the Fethard-on-Sea Rally - claiming his first ever Wexford-based rally in the process.

The Gorey driver eventually had a 23 second margin to spare over his closest challenger of the day - Tipperary's David Percy.

Munster Motorcycle and Car Club Autotest - (Tue) 11 Jun 02 Posted: June 7, 2002 7:47 AM

Thanks to Pat Nolan
The Munster Motorcycle and Car Club are holding an Open Test Trial at Vernon Mount on Tuesday 11th of June 2002. Starting at 7.00 pm. Check in will be at 6.00pm sharp.

Rallying on TV Posted: May 28, 2002 5:11 PM

by Mick Braken

Notice
On The Limit Sports time of broadcast has been changed to 8 pm from this tuesday night until the end of August
The repeat slot shall remain the same - every Saturday morning at 11:30am.

This Tuesday night (28 May) is the last round of Formula Rally from England
Next Tuesday (4 Jun) I am hoping to show the British Championship or else the Peugeot 206 Championship
The carlow rally will be shown on the 11th Jun at 8 pm

Topics: News 

DOUBLE SUCCESS FOR RANDLES AND LYNCH Posted: May 15, 2002 6:13 PM

The month of May has proven to be very merry for Kerry's favourite rally crew, Tom Randles and Diarmuid Lynch, who have recorded a double success over the past couple of weeks.  They were the outright winners of their class on the 2002 Rally of the Lakes on the Bank Holiday Weekend, and followed it up on the Sunday after by taking maximum class points on the Carlow Rally, the latest round of the National Rally Championship.  

Byrnes wins on the double Posted: May 12, 2002 11:43 AM

2001 Dunlop National Hillclimb champion, Frank Byrnes, re-wrote the history books of Galway Motor Club by becoming the first Clubman driver to win his home event at the recent Ballyvaughan Hillclimb. The Oranmore native dominated each of the two Rounds of the Dunlop Series, putting him in a commanding position to defend his National title.

McHugh's Rally Crew's successful move into the big league Posted: May 7, 2002 5:20 PM

Moving up from a Peugeot 205 GTi to a Subaru Impreza is a big step for any rally driver to take. Undaunted by the prospect, Sean McHugh has taken to the four-wheel-drive category extremely well and continues to make steady progress.