The 2013 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship which got underway in Galway the 2/3 Feb promises to be a very Hotly contested Series.There are a host of former Irish/British ex champions who have Registered and are in line to give the Irish Tarmac a go. The Galway Motor Club team led by COC Victor Farrell provided a very challenging but enjoyable route. Luck this time was not in for last year’s Champions Darren Gass and Enda Sherry however who suffered a incident on S.S 1.Former multiple irish Tarmac rally champion Eugene Donnelly this time partnered by Mark Kane took the early lead in the Mini W.R.C. However it was not to be Eugene’s day either with former British rally champions Keith Cronin and Marshall Clarke taking the coveted Galway crown.Registrations from drivers using W.R.C cars that have registered for this years championship are as follow’s,Keith Cronin,Eugene Donnelly,Declan Boyle,Gary Jennings,Darren Gass,Derek McGarrity,Thomas Fitzmaurice and Donagh Kelly.
In the Group N category Registrations include former Billy Coleman award winner Sam Moffet .Indeed the Moffet family are well represented with Josh Moffet also in a Mitsubishi registered as well However in Galway it was Kerry Native Alan Ring who took the spoils this time, out again in another Mitsubishi.The Modified section is one for fans to really relish with a host of cars including Mark 2 Escorts signing up. Kerryman Fergus O’Meara leaves Galway with top points on this occasion in his fabulous Mark II Escort.In the historic section it was won outright by James O’Mahony in his Volvo.A surprise result for James who had been trailing Wesley Patterson and Drew Wylie but both failed to finish.James now leads the Irish Historic Tarmac Championship in which Galway was the second round with the Killarney Historic Rally held in December being the first.
Next up is the U.A.C run Easter Stages Rally and Regulation’s will be available to download shortly.Look forward to seeing all these newly Registered competitors competing at Easter in what should be another closely fought encounter.
Video Clips
Posted: February 13, 2013 11:03 AM
In Car:
Posted: February 13, 2013 10:45 AM
Patrick Kiernan / James McCarville (Ford Escort Mk2) SS8
Chris Armstrong & Martin Brady (Ford Escort Mk2) Big Overshoot
Chris Armstrong & Martin Brady (Ford Escort Mk2) SS7
Darren O'Brien / Gary Keirnan (Honda Civic) SS1
Stephen McCann / Lisa O'Dowd (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7) SS8
As the final countdown to the Safety Direct Galway International Rally rapidly approaches, Donnelly Motorsport are delighted to announce the renewal of their sponsorship agreement with Colm Quinn and their entry into the first round of the Irish Tarmac Championship with the McGeehan Motorsport John Cooper Works MINI WRC.
Speaking this morning, Eugene said, “I am delighted to be involved with Colm Quinn and McGeehan Motorsport giving me the opportunity to drive the WRC MINII again. Colm Quinn and his team in MINI Athlone have pulled out all the stops to make this happen and I must say I am so excited about driving the new WRC RHD MINI. The experience from last year should help in getting a good result and with Mark Kane sitting alongside me for the event I am really looking forward to the slippery roads of Galway. I would like to extend my thanks to Lakeland Tyres, Lisnaskea for their support also and look forward to a safe and enjoyable rally.”
After the success of the partnership in 2012, both Eugene and Colm Quinn are anxious to revive the momentum of what was dubbed as MINI’s return to Rallying with Colm saying “The MINI WRC’s performance thrilled spectators last year providing a closely fought race, after the days rallying the MINI WRC finished a close 2nd, beaten only by 1.2 seconds having had to deal with 2 punctures during the day. We are delighted to have Eugene back on board along with McGeehan Motorsport and look forward to a thrilling display on Sunday”.
McGeehan Motorsport expect that this year’s entry, the latest WRC.01B Right Hand Drive version of the MINI WRC, to be even more competitive than the 2012 entry, with it being the only right hand drive car built by any current WRC Manufacturer. McGeehan Motorsport has been responsible for the final development on behalf of Prodrive who are the FIA Manufacturer.
Everyone involved with Donnelly Motorsport along with Colm Quinn would like to thank the general media for their support and coverage of the Rally and to all the Marshalls, Time-keepers, Officials, Competitors, Spectators and everyone involved with the Rally, we wish a safe and enjoyable weekends rallying to all, both on the stages and off.
Colm Quinn brings MINI back to Irish Rallying
Posted: January 29, 2013 9:27 PM
As the final countdown to the Safety Direct Galway International Rally rapidly approaches, Colm Quinn, Athlone are delighted to announce the renewal of their sponsorship agreement with Eugene Donnelly and their entry into the first round of the Irish Tarmac Championship with the McGeehan Motorsport John Cooper Works MINI WRC.
After the success of the partnership in 2012, Colm Quinn is anxious to revive the momentum of what was dubbed as MINI’s return to Rallying saying “The MINI WRC’s performance thrilled spectators last year providing a closely fought race, after the days rallying the MINI WRC finished a close 2nd, beaten only by 1.2 seconds having had to deal with 2 punctures during the day. We are delighted to have Eugene back on board along with McGeehan Motorsport and look forward to a thrilling display on Sunday”.
McGeehan Motorsport expect that this year’s entry, the latest WRC.01B Right Hand Drive version of the MINI WRC, to be even more competitive than the 2012 entry, with it being the only right hand drive car built by any current WRC Manufacturer. McGeehan Motorsport has been responsible for the final development on behalf of Prodrive who are the FIA Manufacturer.
Colm Quinn would like to acknowledge the support of MINI Ireland, MINI Financial Services and Castrol Oil and is also keen to thank the Team at Colm Quinn MINI for their dedication and assistance in putting the event together.
In addition, Colm Quinn would like to thank the general media for their support and coverage of the Rally and to all the Marshalls, Time-keepers, Officials, Competitors, Spectators and everyone involved with the Rally, we wish a safe and enjoyable weekends rallying to all, both on the stages and off.
Maiden WRC drive in Galway for Cronin
Posted: January 29, 2013 12:38 PM
British Rally Champion Keith Cronin is to compete in this weekend’s Galway International Rally, the opening round of the 2013 Irish Tarmac Championship. In a deal that was only organised within in the last week, he is set to make his World Rally Car debut in the Subaru S11 that was campaigned by Kerryman Thomas Fitzmaurice during the 2012 National Championship.
The deal will be see Cronin return to a 4 wheel drive car for the first time since the 2010 season when, on the same event, he sensationally led the rally after the opening stage in his Group N Evo IX. He has of course, most recently campaigned a front wheel drive Citroen DS3 in which he claimed his third British Rally title last year.
Speaking yesterday, having successfully completed a brief test in the Subaru he stated that he was looking forward to the event and the challenge of adapting to the car, which is of course, right hand drive. Apart from one event in 2010 he has exclusively driven left hand drive since 2007.
Keith said “We looked at a couple of options for Galway, but in the end the Subaru appeared to be the most practical car for the event. I was very happy with the testing that we did and it is an awesome car, so different to drive compared to the DS3. The competition in Galway will be tough, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.
At the moment we are focussed on Galway and are not contemplating any Championships, but there is a possibility that we will use the car on other rallies this year, depending on how this event goes. Our main focus this year is to compete in the Citröen Top Driver series in the WRC, but it’s very difficult to get a deal together at the moment”.
Keith will be co-driven in Galway by Marshall Clarke, who successfully guided him during the 2012 British Rally Championship.
Fantastic Entry for this week-end’s Safety Direct Galway International Rally!
Posted: January 28, 2013 8:55 PM
Galway Motor Club is delighted to confirm that there is a capacity entry of 115 teams for this year’s Safety Direct Galway International Rally. The event is the first in Galway to support “The Gathering 2013” initiative bringing a welcome early season boost to visitor numbers to Galway city and county. It is expected to generate over 2,000 bed nights.
Victor Farrell, Clerk of the Course, said “Galway Motor Club is indebted to the staff of Galway County and City Councils, An Garda Siochana, Failte Ireland, the Road Safety Authority, the Directors and staff of Safety Direct, the 300 volunteer marshals from all over Ireland, and most of all the residents of the route in the east of the county for their assistance with temporary road closures to ensure the safe running of the event.”
The event will have a Ceremonial Start in Eyre Square on Saturday 2nd February at 8pm, following afternoon scrutineering of cars at MotorPark, Terryland, from 2pm. These are ideal opportunities to see the rally cars and drivers prior to the start of the competition.
Headquarters for the event is the Clayton Hotel, Ballybrit, Galway. The rally route will cover 8 closed road stages in East Galway, on Sunday 3rd February. The rally Service Park will be in Ballinasloe Mart grounds that day. Sunday evening will see the Ceremonial Finish, in Ballinasloe town centre at 5pm. Admission to all events is free over the weekend.
Road Safety:
The Safety Direct Galway International Rally is an event that is sanctioned by the FIA under an official Permit issued by Motorsport Ireland, and supported by the RSA – The Road Safety Authority of Ireland. The ‘Keep the Race in its Place’ campaign is extremely successful in talking to young people who follow motorsport. The Galway Motor Club is eager to remind everyone of the need to drive safely at all times – hence the message “Keep the Race in its Place’’. All competing cars will carry this logo and message, and Safety Direct is providing extensive signage to promote this road safety message.
Victor Farrell, Clerk of the Course, encourages fans travelling to the International Rally on the 3rd February to heed the message from the organisers to ‘Keep the Race in its Place’, to slow down, never drink and drive and to always wear a seatbelt. All spectators on the closed road stages must obey the marshals at all times. A comprehensive traffic management plan has been put in place with the support of the Gardai.
Nominated Charity:
The nominated charity for the 2013 Safety Direct Galway International Rally is ACT for Meningitis. The charity’s volunteers will be promoting awareness at various locations along the route and all support will be much appreciated.
Rally Programmes:
The Official Rally Programme contains full listings of stage times, service area times, detailed Ordnance Survey Route Maps and all of the information required to locate the many spectator access points. The programme costs €10 and is available from Safety Direct at Riverside Commercial Estate, Tuam Road, Galway, the Clayton Hotel and from filling stations, newsagents and outlets in the city and county listed on the rally website, www.galwayinternationalrally.com
Media Coverage:
For 2013 rally enthusiasts worldwide will benefit from extensive media coverage of the event. County Galway based TG4 ,which provides “free to air” terrestrial TV nationally will broadcast two 30 minute programmes devoted to the event during February, while Motors TV will have a one hour programme on its Satellite Channel, available across Europe, on Friday 22nd February at 9pm. For 2013 the organisers have arranged facilities for the ever increasing number of on-line rally followers, with regular video uploads to be provided from the start, live interviews and action from the stages during the event. In another “first” for the rally, the progress of the event will be covered on the smart phone App “iRally”, and on their website. Locally the event will receive extensive coverage from the Galway Bay FM sports and news teams on Sunday.
Leading Entries :
Top seeds are last year’s winners and 2012 Tarmac Rally Champions, Darren Gass from Armagh, and co –driver Enda Sherry. He will be followed off the start ramp by Derek McGarrity from Belfast, triple British Rally Champion Keith Cronin from Cork and Garry Jennings from Enniskillen. The highest seeded local crews are JJ Fleming from Salthill in his Ford Focus World Rally Car, co-driven by Robbie Ward from Loughrea at number 8, Tom Flaherty from Circular Road at 12 in his Escort Mk2 and Eamon Dervan from Loughrea at 18 also in an Escort, and Neil Pierce from Loughrea in a Honda at number 22.
Galway Entries in the Historic Car section include Ray Cunningham from Carnmore in a Mini Cooper, James Power from Loughrea in an Escort Mk1 and Pat Neville from Taylors Hill in a Volvo 142. The Galway competitors will be competing for the prestigious Brian Thornton Memorial Cup.
Safety Direct Galway International Rally Timetable:
Saturday 2nd February 2pm : Scrutiny at Motorpark, Terryland.
Saturday 2nd February 8pm : Ceremonial Start in Eyre Square.
Sunday 3rd February 9am : 8 Special Stages in East Galway.
Sunday 3rd February 5pm: Finish in Ballinasloe Town Centre.
Sunday 3rd February 7pm : Prizegiving at Clayton Hotel, Galway.
Leading Local Entries:
Car Driver Navigator Address Make/Model
8 John Joe Fleming Robbie Ward Salthill Focus WRC
12 Tom Flaherty Patrick Curley Rahoon Escort Mk2
18 Eamon Dervan Greg Kennedy Loughrea Escort Mk2
22 Neil Pierce Enda O Leary Loughrea Honda Civic
24 David Quigley Des Sherlock Loughrea Honda Civic
25 Pat Kelly Jonathan Kelly Ballybane Subaru
31 Jonathan Folan Ger Myers Galway Subaru
H4 Ray Cunningham Adrian Cusack Carnmore Mini Cooper
Keep the race in its place
Posted: January 28, 2013 7:32 PM
With the 2013 Galway International Rally only a week away the Airticity Rally Team have teamed up the Motorsport Ireland ambassador Toni Kelly and Donegal GAA star Eamon McGee to help raise road safety awareness and support the “Keep The Race In Its Place” campaign. Speaking at the launch, held at Kelly Motor Group in Letterkenny, Airtricity driver Donagh Kelly spoke of the importance of road safety. “The Galway rally is only a matter of days away now and I’m sure I speak for all the drivers and organisers when I say the safety of the competing crews and spectators, as well as normal road users is upmost in our minds. We would like to remind everyone watching the rally how important it is to follow the rules of the road and stay safe. We hope you enjoy the weekend’s motorsport and we are all happy to be able to provide the entertainment but please leave the racing to us and hopefully we all can have a safe, enjoyable weekend together.”
Toni Kelly, herself a rally driver, and native of Co. Donegal had this message for motorsport enthusiasts: "As a spectator, watching a rally take place right in front of your eyes is an exhilarating and exciting experience but many often forget that it is a sport that incurs a lot of background safety checks and strict regulations for those involved. It is not something that just anyone with a car can attempt to replicate. What I would say to any rallying enthusiasts is to look to a professional school or track to fulfill that ambition and not risk the lives and safety of others by taking to public roads with what can be potentially fatal consequences."
The Galway International Rally, round 1 of the 2013 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship kicks off with the ceremonial start in Eyre Square Galway on Saturday 2nd February follow by 8 challenging stages on Sunday 3rd.
Garry Jennings Motorsport Launch 2013 Car - (Fri) 1 Feb 13
Posted: January 19, 2013 3:37 PM
Garry Jennings Motorsport will be launching his NEW 2013 Championship Car on Friday the 1st of February at The Clayton Hotel, Ballybrit, Galway at 7:30pm,
Prior to the start of the 2013 Irish Tarmac Championship Opening Round, The Safety Direct Galway International Rally.
They will be introducing the NEW car, The Driver and Navigator, and support team to the assembled Media and guests.
Entry is free, and EVERYONE is welcome to attend.
There will be interviews with Garry and his NEW team, where assembled guests will get to
see, and get pictures with the New car.
There will also be the First Viewing of Garry Jennings Motorsports NEW Clothing Range, and members of the Public will be able to Purchase items for the first time on the night.
Garry, who is synonomous with tarmac rallying, both here in Ireland, and abroad, and who is the Current Irish Forestry Championship Winner, and a close Runner Up in the Irish Tarmac Championship,
(1 better than 2011 when he finished 3rd overall)
and 2nd Overall in the Irish Tarmac Group N Championship. He has had scores of Wins under his belt over the years. Here are his results from last year:
2012 Started off on Gravel For Garry, where he and Navigator Barry McNulty took an overwhelming victory in the opening round of the Irish Forestry Championship, very close to his home, just over the border in The Abbey Hotel Donegal Forestry Rally, in a Subaru Impreza 555.
His Winnings ways continued in Tyrone, in the Tyrone Spring Rally. It was Garrys 1st ever time to compete at this event.
He led from as early as the 2nd stage and never looked back.
He won the Event by 16 seconds Overall.
In The Safety Direct Galway International Rally Last Year in His Mitsubishi Evo 9,
he and Legendary Donegal Navigator Rory Kennedy won The Group N Production Class, as well as finishing, a creditable 4th Overall.
He went on to Carrick on Suir, for the Wm Loughman Forestry Event, where he finished a creditable 2nd overall to none other than Craig Breen.
He then travelled down to Munster for the Moonraker Forest Rally, as the Series Leader, and picked up another creditable 2nd overall.
His next Outing on Tarmac was at the Circuit Of Ireland which was an IRC Series Event, where he and navigator Barry McNulty took Production Class 3 Honours again, ahead of local rival Donagh Kelly.
Due to a scrutiny issue Garry did not start the Cork Forest Rally.
On Tarmac Next it was Down to Killarney for the Cartell.ie Rally Of The Lakes, where he took the Production Group N Class win once again, and a creditable 3rd place Overall with Barry McNulty Calling The Notes.
Next On Tarmac came the Ultimate Success Of 2012, where Garry this time, Partnered up with Donegal Navigator Neil Doherty, in a hired Subaru Impreza WRC, took victory by over a minute in the Topaz Donegal International Rally.
(Victory Was Bittersweet in this case as Neil Doherty's Father who was in hospital, died the Following day)
Next it was back to the forests, and down to cork for the Sean Conlon Memorial rally, where Garry Took victory alongside Dave Moynihan calling the notes.
The Bushwhacker Rally in around Omagh in Tyrone wasnt one to remember for Garry, amd navigator Rory Kennedy, but he still lead the Irish forestry championship points table.
The Todds Leap Sponsored Ulster Rally was Next in The Irish Tarmac Championship series.
2nd Overall, in a hired Subaru Impreza, with Rory Kennedy Calling the notes, was painful, as he suffered handbrake woes on day 1, and a 10sec penalty, but a teriffic, never say die attitude, of Garry brought him back to finish 2nd overall.
Garry Decided to concentrate his efforts on the Local Rallys after this,
here he competed in a Corolla WRC in the Sligo Stages Rally, and in the Local Lakelands Forestry Event.
He also finished 3rd Overall in The 2012 Lurgan Park Rally with Kerry His Wife Navigating a Subaru Impreza.
County Donegal was his most successful County last year, competing in the Abbey Hotel Sponsored Harvest Stages Rally where he took Victory for the 3rd time in 3 years, Making Donegal a Clean Sweep, the Forestry Rally, The International Rally, and The Harvest Rally, his crowning glory for 2012.
Garry did claim a title in 2012, The Irish Forestry Championship.
He Finished 8th Overall in the Last Event – The Glens Of Antrim Forest Rally, but, this was enough to claim the title Overall.
Garry Didnt Compete in the Last round of the tarmac championship, the Cork '20', so Victory in the overall championship went to his friend and rival Darren Gass From Armagh.
Garry Jennings Motorsport ITRC 2013
This year Garry Jennings will be driving a Subaru Impreza S12b in the ITRC Championship.
The car has been prepared & looked after by Ttec Car Prep -Colm Grant Engineering from Cork.
Colm Grant stated that :
“The Subaru Impreza 12b is a really competitive well built car that works very well on the Irish roads,the car has under gone substantial rebuilding over the christmas period to get ready for the ITRC 2013. We at TTEC engineering based in Cork are delighted to be working with such a talented driver in Garry and are looking forward to the challenges involved in keeping the car competitive this year."
A lot of sweat and tears have went into the Garry Jennings motorsport rally project for 2013. With his NEW car a new Team has been developed with the focus of securing the ITRC.
We are delighted to announce the continued support of our MAIN Sponsors & new are thankful of new sponsors to ensure we stay competitive for the season.
Garry Jennings stated that :
“There is a strong team ethos & spirit for this upcoming Rally year with a very strong belief in the team that we can do well this year.
Clubman Rallying, as for most Irish Drivers, is a thing that is very close to my heart, having competed in many clubman events since the early 1990's, the pinnacle of a local clubman would be to win the ITRC.
2013 championship is looking to be a hotly contested year with new machinery coming out of the woodwork and by all accounts theres alot of guys thats going to be pushing really hard ,which makes for an exciting rally year."
Having Recently got married to his wife Kerry, who is also a rally fanatic, has made Garry even more competitive, and this eagerness to do well and win, is plain to see.
Garry Jennings motorsport will be launching their NEW 2013 range of Rally clothing at the Galway Rally and it can be found for sale directly form the merchandise team in service.
All The Garry Jennings Motorsport Team would like to thank all our loyal supporters & fans for believing in the team & wish the best of luck to all competitors & Rally organisers in 2013.
“All Systems Go” for the 2013 Safety Direct Galway International Rally!
Posted: January 15, 2013 10:21 AM
Preparations are well advanced for the 2013 Safety Direct Galway International Rally. This year’s event takes place over the weekend of the 2nd and 3rd February. Safety Direct have sponsored the event for many years. Alan Fair, on behalf of the company, states that the reason for this is that it showcases its products and services to a wide audience, and complements the strong organising team in Galway Motor Club.
Early indications are that there will be a full entry of up to 130 cars in the International, National and Historic sections of the popular rally. In 2012 entries were received from as far afield as America and Australia, which prompted the organisers to support the “Gathering Ireland” initiative in 2013. The event has traditionally brought a welcome early season boost to visitor numbers to Galway city and county.
The 2013 event will have a Ceremonial Start in Eyre Square on Saturday 2nd February at 8.00pm, following afternoon scrutineering of cars at MotorPark, Terryland from 2pm.
Headquarters for the event is the Clayton Hotel, Ballybrit, Galway. The rally route will cover 8 stages in East Galway, on Sunday 3rd February, and the rally Service Park will be in Ballinasloe that day. Sunday evening will see the Ceremonial Finish , also in Ballinasloe at 5.00pm that evening. Admission to all events is free over the weekend.
The leading early entrants to date include the winners of the MorOil Galway Summer Rally in 2012, Declan and Brian Boyle, also Garry Jennings and Donagh Kelly all in Subaru World Rally cars. Early local entries include Galway’s Tom Flaherty and Eamon Dervan in Escorts , JJ Fleming in his Focus WRC and Ray Cunningham, current Historic champion driver in his Mini Cooper S. The final list of accepted entries, and detailed route maps and schedules will be included in the Official Rally Programme, available closer to the event. Details of programme outlets will be available on the event website.
For 2013 rally enthusiasts worldwide will benefit from excellent media coverage of the event. County Galway based TG4 ,which provides “free to air” terrestrial TV nationally will broadcast two 30 minute programmes devoted to the event, while Motors TV will have a one hour programme on its Satellite Channel, available across Europe. For 2013 the organisers have arranged facilities for the ever increasing number of on-line rally followers, with regular video uploads to be provided from the start, live interviews and action from the stages during the event. Locally the event will receive extensive coverage from the Galway Bay FM sports and news teams.
Safety Direct Galway International Rally Event Timetable:
Saturday 2nd February 2:00pm : Scrutiny at Motorpark , Terryland.
Saturday 2nd February 8.00pm : Ceremonial Start in Eyre Square.
Sunday 3rd February 9.00am : 9 Special Stages in east Galway.
Sunday 3rd February 5.00pm: Finish at Ballinasloe Town Centre.
Sunday 3rd February 7.30pm : Prizegiving at Clayton Hotel, Galway.
Rally Launch - Friday 18th January 2013 at 7.30pm - Clayton Hotel, Ballybrit, Galway
All Welcome
2013 Safety Direct Galway International Launch night photo including Garry Jennings new S12B
Left to right: Victor Farrell, COC, Mark Parsons, President GMC
Alan Fair, Keith Doyle and Carmel Earls of Safety Direct. Photo: Reg Gordon
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