2009 / 2010 Rallycross Stock Hatch Championship

Rathgar Motor Factors in association with Platinum Batteries sponsors 2009/2010 Motorsport Ireland Rallycross Stock Hatch Championship

Posted: October 21, 2009 11:32 AM

The 2009/2010 Irish Rallycross Stock Hatch Championship will be proudly supported by Rathgar Motor Factors in association with Platinum Batteries. The championship got underway in Wales during September but it really starts in earnest when it hits Irish soil at Mondello Park, Co. Kildare on October 18th. A very large stock hatch entry is expected in this ever appealing class.

Rathgar Motor Factors distributes Platinum Batteries in the Republic of Ireland. They also supply a large range of motor components to the motor industry including braking products, clutch parts, suspension parts, electronic & ignition parts, service items, garage consumables, electrical parts, body parts, engine parts, transmission parts etc. Manager of Rathgar Motor Factors, Gary Murphy commented; “I have visited Rallycross meetings at Mondello Park as a spectator many times. I always found Stock Hatch to offer close racing with a broad range of drivers involved. I see many Stock Hatch drivers in our store before races so it’s nice to give something back to the drivers. The cars are most relevant to our business as they mainly use off the shelf standard items. We have come up with a number of interesting awards to ensure there is a good spread of prizes between competitors. We want all drivers to have a good opportunity of winning something”.

There will also be a Perpetual Cup for the Stock Hatch Championship which will rotate each year to the winner of the Stock Hatch Cup (1st placed overall driver from both Class A & B). Expect a strong challenge for Cup honours from defending and double Stock Hatch Champion; Michael Duke. Last years runner up Noel O’Brien won’t let Duke have it all his own way and 3rd place finisher in the 2009 British Stock Hatch Championship Gordon Lynch is sure to be chasing his first win. Expect a very strong challenge from relative newcomers to the class Derek Lenehan & Robert Critchley. Seasoned campaigners can never be underestimated especially in the shape of Declan Nolan, Phillip Kelly, Patricia Denning, Fergus Lynch and Keith Murphy. All are likely to pose a threat when things go their way. The class through it’s ease of access will also have some drivers fighting for victory who have not been mentioned above. Also making a return to the class is 4 times Stock Hatch Champion Derek Tohill. He is using the Championship as a warm up for his 2010 European Rallycross Championship campaign.

Other awards will also be presented to drivers in the class at the end of season prize giving. This means everybody has a chance to be a winner in this well supported class. Prizes will be as follows:

Overall Winner Stock Hatch Cup – Award plus €500 & Perpetual Trophy
Runner Up Stock Hatch Cup – Award & €250
Third Place Stock Hatch Cup – Award & €150

Overall Winner Stock Hatch Class A – Award
Runner Up Stock Hatch Class A - Award
Third Place Stock Hatch Class A - Award

Overall Winner Stock Hatch Class B – Award
Runner Up Stock Hatch Class B - Award
Third Place Stock Hatch Class B - Award

Other Awards:
1. Best New Driver in the Class - €100
2. Most Improved Driver in the Class - €100
3. Best Prepared Car in the Class - €100
4. Most Spirited Performance of the year (This can go to an organiser, driver, mechanic, team manager, marshall, family member etc.) - €100
5. Highest Female Driver in the Class - €100

At each event, there will be a product related prize to the class “Driver of the Day”, this will be decided by the commentator at the end of each event.

It should also be noted that either George or Derek Tohill may compete in the Modified / Stock Hatch Cup either occasionally or repeatedly throughout the championship. If they were fortunate enough to be placed in the top 3 positions in the final standings in either championships, they will forfeit their prize money and pass it to the next best placed driver in the championship; this driver will subsequently pass their prize to the driver below this and so forth…

Championship Rounds

Posted: October 21, 2009 11:30 AM

Round 1 - Sunday September 20th 2009 – PEMBREY, WALES
Round 2 - Sunday October 18th 2009 – MONDELLO PARK
Round 3 - Sunday November 1st 2009 - MONDELLO PARK
Round 4 - Sunday November 15th 2009 – MONDELLO PARK
Round 5 - Sunday February 7th 2010 - MONDELLO PARK
Round 6 - Sunday February 21st 2010 – MONDELLO PARK
(Non Championship Event) - Saturday March 6th 2010 – NUTTS CORNER, N. IRELAND
Round 7 - Sunday March 7th 2010 – MONDELLO PARK