West Cork Rally - 16-17 Mar 19

Entry List Update - 14 Mar

Posted: March 15, 2019 3:39 AM

Withdrawn
24 PHILIP ALLEN/MARK KANE (SKODA FABIA R5) [RC2]
43 COLIN BYRNE/STEPHEN QUIN (FORD ESCORT MK2) [14]
59 JASON O MAHONY/JONATHAN O MAHONY (FORD ESCORT MK2) [13]
80 SEAN MOYNIHAN/CATHAL QUILL (FORD ESCORT RS) [12]
101 SEAN O DONAVAN/HAROLD ATKINSON (FORD ESCORT MK2) [13]
104 CHRIS O CALLAGHAN/JACK DALTON (TOYOTA COROLLA) [13]
112 JERRY O MAHONY/WILLIE BUCHANAN (FORD ESCORT MK2) [12]
119 WALTER DICK/MARK O SULLIVAN (FORD ESCORT MK2) [13]
H5 JAMES O MAHONY/SEAN HASSETT (FORD ESCORT) [K]
H22 HARRY BROWN/J MARTIN MCGRATH (HILLMAN AVENGER) [C2]

Change of Car:
77 JOHN COYNE/STEPHEN JOYCE (FORD FIESTA R5) [5]

ITRC Round 2 Preview

Posted: March 14, 2019 10:11 AM

The hotly anticipated second round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, the Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally takes place this coming weekend. A bumper entry has been received with no less than 23 R5 cars at the head of the field in what should be a superb battle. Donagh Kelly has won the event for the past five years, but although carrying number one on the door, the 2015 Tarmac Champion will find the going very tough as he gives his new Skoda Fabia R5 its debut. Conor Foley will co-drive for Donagh as usual. Carrying number two on the door but likely to run first on the road due to FIA priority seeding is Waterfords Craig Breen wit Paul Nagle co-driving. The pair will compete in a Ford Fiesta R5 and although its Craigs first time competing in West Cork, Paul is a twice winner of the event on 2004 & 2008. Third seed is the reigning Tarmac Champion as Josh Moffett looks to improve on the runner up position he has taken on the event over the past two year. Josh has Keith Moriarty on the pacenotes this year.

Alastair Fisher & Gordon Noble stunned many with their pace in Galway after a long absence and if they can repeat that form then they will surely be in the mix for overall victory. Others to feature in a strong top ten include Matt Edwards who is contesting the British Rally Championship, 2017 Tarmac Champion Sam Moffett who will be hoping to recover quickly from the disappointment of a first stage retirement in Galway and Robert Barrable who makes his first appearance of the season in a Skoda Fabia R5. Barrable along with Donagh Kelly is the only previous winner of the event on the entry list and he always performs well in Clonakilty. Desi Henry (Fabia R5), Declan Boyle (Fiesta R5) and David Bogie (Fabia R5) are the other drivers in the top ten.

The quality is reflected down through the list with Callum Devine, Jonny Greer, Daniel Cronin, Stephen Wright, Meirion Evans, Manus Kelly and Brendan Cumiskey just some of those who could upset those seeded above them. Group N sees William Mavitty, Andy Davies and Michael Boyle all renew rivalries after Galway where Davies came out top and leads the category after round 1. William Creighton, Ronan Denning, Eamon Kelly and Johnnie Mulholland are all in the ITRC3 series and Creighton leads heading into the second round in his Peugeot 208 R2.

The National Rally sees championship leader Damien Tourish go head to head with Damian Toner after the pair finished in the top two in Galway. Tourish has been to West Cork twice in the past which could give him the edge over Toner who makes his first appearance in Clonakilty. J.R. McDaid, John Bonner and Brian Brogan are all making the trip from Donegal and will be familiar with the stages while Tom Flaherty who lies fourth in the championship makes the trip from Galway. Conor McCrossan and Gerard McQuaid are also lying in the top ten after the opening round and will be making their first trip to Clonakilty also.

Ray Cunningham brings his remarkable Mini to Clonakilty with the Galway driver holding an eight point advantage after two rounds. Second placed Owen Murphy is not competing so George Cullen who lies third is the closest to Cunningham in championship terms. Arian Kermode, Duncan Williams, Craig MacWilliam, Alan Watkins and Philip McKibbin are just some of the other championship drivers lining up in Clonakilty. The Junior leader after round one Shane Norris arrives in Clonakilty with a three point lead over Cian Walsh. The retirement rate in Galway was high so there will be a number of drivers looking to move into the reckoning after the second round. Mick Lonergan retired in Galway, but was extremely quick on his previous visit to West Cork last year, while Aaron Browne the top seed will also be expected to go very quickly.

The action begins with the opening stage, Ring at 10.58am Saturday morning with nine stage in total for the first day, including a short town stage wrapping up proceedings around 6pm. The second day begins at the leisurely hour of midday where six more stages will take place before the first car is due back at the finish ramp around 4.30pm. Live results will be available from http://results.westcorkrally.com and there will also be updates on the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship facebook page and you can also follow us on twitter at @IrishTarmacTROA.

TOM CAVE RALLYING - West Cork Rally Preview

Posted: March 14, 2019 9:49 AM

Tom Cave from Aberdovey aims to get his British Rally championship title challenge back on track this coming weekend (16th & 17th March) when he heads to Southern Ireland for round two, the Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally. He will be joined on this occasion by his co-driver for the past three seasons James Morgan from Hirwaun, who sits in for Dale Bowen who is unable to partner Tom this weekend.

The Clonakilty-based event represents the first ever round of the British Championship to be held solely in the Republic of Ireland. It will also be the first asphalt event of the season for Tom, who will be looking to replicate his performance from the first round - February's Cambrian Rally - but not the result. Whilst he and Dale set a series of front-running times and were challenging for the lead on the final loop of stages in the North Wales forests, three consecutive punctures meant they were unable to make it to the finish.

Tom will be driving the same Philip Case Rally Sport prepared Hyundai i20 R5 that he used for the opening round, with the team having re-prepared the car and changed the set-up from gravel to asphalt specification.

To ensure he hits the ground running this weekend, Tom tested the car on Tuesday and was delighted with outcome:

"The PCRS guys did a great job of setting up the Hyundai for asphalt, which meant there was very little to do to get the car handling perfectly. However, Storm Gareth made things interesting: we had sun, wind, rain and hail in the space of a couple of hours. It was an ideal scenario actually, as we're likely to encounter a mixed bag of conditions at the weekend."

Seeded at #12, Tom and James will not only be up against an entry of top British Championship crews, but those from the Irish Tarmac Championship too. Intent on getting his title hopes back on track, Tom will be 100% focused on scoring BRC points.

"Whilst the result of the Cambrian wasn't what we wanted, the performance of the stages and the reliability of the car absolutely was. I therefore head to West Cork confident in the knowledge that we can challenge at the front of the field - especially following the outcome of this week's test. I'm really looking forward to driving the Hyundai on asphalt for the first time since the summer of 2017.

The West Cork Rally starts from Clonakilty at 10.00 on Saturday and sees the 200-strong field contest nine stages during the day. A further six take place on Sunday - St Patrick's Day - with the first car scheduled to reach the finish back in the host town at 16.30 having covered a total of 240 competitive kms.

Tom's 2019 British Rally Championship campaign is supported by: Trailhead Fine Foods and their Get Jerky snack brand, Cambrian Training, Michelin Motorsport, H.N. Nuttall Foodservice, Atech Racing, Walero and Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing. The team is delighted to welcome onboard two new sponsors for this event: Go Fetch, pet relocation specialists and Intervino, letterbox wine and personalised gift providers.

Rally Forum - (Thu) 14 Mar 19

Posted: March 13, 2019 7:55 AM

Cork is out of the bottle as BRC heads to Ireland

Posted: March 12, 2019 3:52 PM

The British Rally Championship got underway last month, with the Cambrian Rally providing a heart-pumping opening round of the new-look season. After the gravel trail-blaze through the forests of North Wales, the focus now switches to Tarmac for the Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally (16/17 March) – the second round on the calendar.

Britain’s premier rallying series will visit West Cork in the Republic of Ireland for the first time in its 61-year history, with the current BRC championship protagonists set to do battle over two days through the legendary Irish lanes. Fifteen speed tests, including an exciting street stage, will equate to 140 competitive miles, which will provide the challenge on St Patrick’s weekend.

Defending British Rally Champion Matt Edwards got his title defence off to the best possible start with a commanding triumph on home soil – wrapping up his first Cambrian Rally victory with new co-driver Patrick Walsh. The M-Sport driver has a spring in his step and can’t be discounted from fighting at the very front in Cork as the Pirelli-shod Fiesta R5 man won the last event across the Irish Sea in 2018.

Hunting Edwards down will be 2011 Champion David Bogie and Irish co-driver John Rowan in their Skoda Fabia R5. After collecting a good haul of points with a fine second in Wales, Bogie heads to the sealed-surface in search of another BRC win. The Flying Scotsman completed the non-championship Birr Stages as a warm-up, as he goes in search of his fourth R5 BRC podium on Irish soil in as many years.

Fellow Fabia R5 driver Marty McCormack from Draperstown rounded out the podium proceedings in Wales and will lead the Irish charge for BRC honours this weekend. With new co-driver Barney Mitchell, McCormack will be seeking another podium to keep his title assault on-track before his preferred events later in the season.

Reigning Irish Tarmac Champion Josh Moffett is dovetailing both championships this season in his Ford Fiesta R5, and a win with Keith Moriarty on the notes in Clonakilty would keep both title tilts on-course for the Michelin-backed Monaghan driver.

Desi Henry from Portglenone claimed fourth on the opening round and – along with Liam Moynihan – will be revelling at the thought of fighting for a rostrum on home soil in his Skoda Fabia R5. Jonny Greer (Belfast) and Scottish co-driver Kirsty Riddick were lying seventh on the Cambrian, however radiator woes forced them out of retirement on the way to the finish. Greer is a Tarmac specialist and will delight in threading the Fiesta R5 down the Irish lanes as he goes in search of his first BRC win.

BRC newcomer Brendan Cumiskey (Monaghan) notched up his first set of points on the Cambrian and will look to better seventh on the roads south-west of Cork with Ronan O'Kane. Tom Cave was fighting for a podium on home soil in his Hyundai i20 R5. On the last stage, the Welsh driver was struck a cruel blow when two punctures denied him the chance of making it back to Llandudno to spray the champagne. Ever the optimist, the Cave is ready to fight again and can never be discounted from the fight for victory.

Fellow countrymen Meirion Evans and Jonathan Jackson – also in a Hyundai i20 R5 – enjoyed their first experience of the BRC top-flight on the Cambrian following two years in the junior category. After a last-minute series registration, the pair went on to finish sixth and now look to break into the top five across the Irish Sea.

Alex Laffey and Stuart Loudon (Fiesta R5) secured a top ten in Wales and will be eager to show their Tarmac form, as they push for a podium while Sacha Kakad and James Aldridge in another Fiesta R5 will visit West Cork for the first time in search of their first BRC points of 2019.

Enda McCormack and Paul Sheridan completed their first Cambrian Rally and will be chasing their first BRC points on the asphalt of round two in their Ford Fiesta R5, while Alan Carmichael and Claire Williams will also be seeking their first BRC points in a Hyundai i20 R5. The pair were forced into an early retirement after mechanical gremlins dogged their run on the first round.

Iain Campbell - BRC Championship Manager said:
“The West Cork Rally is a rally revered by many around the world and we are delighted to have the event as part of the British Rally Championship. With classic tests and famous stages offering a unique challenge, the advantage surely must swing to the Irish drivers. Reigning Irish Tarmac Champion Josh Moffett is our first BRC driver on the road, and as much as he would love to take the fight to Craig Breen - Josh will be thinking about the BRC points and a BRC win - as will fellow Irish drivers Marty McCormack and Desi Henry. Matt Edwards will be seeking his first win in Cork to stretch his lead in the series standings. However, David Bogie and Tom Cave go well on the Tarmac and could spring a surprise on the overall classification. It’s going to be an exciting contest!”

Juniors hoping for luck of the Irish in West Cork

Junior British Rally Championship leaders James Wilson and Arthur Kierans took a breakthrough win together on the Cambrian Rally and return home in search of their first victory on tarmac. Billy Coleman Award winner Wilson was also the leading Peugeot 208 R2 driver at the finish – netting him the first £2,500 cheque from Peugeot UK and Total.

The Peugeot 208 dominated proceedings on the Cambrian Rally, with the first four places occupied by the French brand. William Creighton (Lisburn) and Liam Regan fought for honours throughout the event, but an afternoon puncture forced them out of the reckoning until a monumental fightback put them into second to get their title charge off to a flying start.

Marty Gallagher and Dean O’Sullivan rounded out the podium last time out – eradicating their bad luck from 2018. The Letterkenny driver is a force to be reckoned with on the Tarmac and will be looking to return to the top step once again in the ultra-competitive front-wheel-drive series.

Josh McErlean (Kilrea) and co-driver Ger Conway are another crew knocking on the door of a breakthrough win together. In the Peugeot 208 R2, the Irish pairing set some very impressive times on the stages and will be looking to seal another Junior BRC podium.

Series recruit Jordan Hone from Claudy and navigator Aileen Kelly bring the sole Opel ADAM R2 to the party and got their season off to a strong start with a top five finish on their first event in Wales. In the ex-Callum Devine JBRC title-winning car, Hone will be one to watch as he prepares to take the fight to the Peugeot drivers for overall victory in Clonakilty.

Leading the charge in the Fiesta Trophy coming to Cork are Finlay Retson and Tom Hynd. Despite a few excursions into the Welsh forests, Scottish star Retson brought the brand new 2019 Ford Fiesta R2T into sixth place and top Blue Oval runner ahead of Ruairi Bell and Darren Garrod in a similar car. Bart Lang and Sinclair Young took their older Fiesta R2T into eighth overall – third in the Fiesta standings. The Fiesta drivers are all fighting for a €60,000 prize fund from M-Sport and Pirelli to put towards a season in the Junior World Rally Championship in 2020.

James Williams/Tom Woodburn and Jordan Reynolds/Peredur Davies – both in Ford Fiesta R2s – will hope West Cork will kick-start their season after retirements on the opening round.

The Sloan brothers, Scott and David enjoyed their BRC debut until gearbox gremlins dogged the Peugeot 208 pairing, while Nabila Tejpar and Max Freeman will be looking to put their final stage roll behind them as Nabila hopes to use West Cork as a springboard towards her Ladies’ title defence.

Meanwhile, John Morrison and Peter Carstairs in their Kumho-supported Mitsubishi Evo 9 will take on the Irish classic for the very first time as they prepare to stretch their lead in the National Rally Cup.

Iain Campbell - BRC Championship Manager said:
“The Junior BRC is a real hotbed for talent and we have an exciting crop of Junior drivers ready to be unleashed onto the stages. Irishman James Wilson is the man with the target on his back after his first BRC win in his Peugeot 208, but he won’t have it his own way as both William Creighton and Marty Gallagher will be searching for their first win of the season. Jordan Hone will be a dark horse, as he showed some unbelievable pace on the Ulster Rally last year in his Opel ADAM. Finally we can't wait to see the new Ford Fiesta R2 on Tarmac for the first time and how it compares to the established front running cars.”

Marshal Meeting Points

Posted: March 12, 2019 11:17 AM

Saturday, March 16, 2019. Meeting Point details for Marshals.

SS 1&3 Ring: Meet at Waterfront Old GAA Pitch in Clonakilty at 8.40am.
GPS coordinates: N 51°37'17.3" W 8°53'11.4".
Stage Commander Sean Daly. Deputy Keira Daly.

SS 2&4 Dunworley: Meet at Petrol Station in Timoleague at 9.20am.
GPS coordinates: N51 N51°38'31.3" W 8°45'55.8".
Stage Commander Stephen Sheehan. Deputy Paul Sheehan.
 
SS 5&7 Shanaway: Meet at Centra, Enniskeane (R586) 12.30pm.
GPS coordinates: N51°44'16.0" W 8°55'55.5".
Stage Commander Martin Godfrey. Deputy Donal Godfrey.
 
SS 6&8 Sam's Cross: Meet at Kilmeen Creamery (R599) at 13.00pm.
GPS coordinates:  N51°39'37.3" W 9°00'39.1".
Stage Commander Sean Hayes. Deputy Ted Murphy
 
SS 9 Clonakilty: Meet at Kilmeen Creamery (R599) at 13.00pm.
GPS coordinates:  N 51°37'14.5" W 8°54'17.4".
Stage Commander Martin Bond. Deputy

Sunday, March 17, 2019. Meeting Point details for Marshals.

SS 10&13 Clogagh: Meet at Petrol Station in Timoleague at 9.30am.
GPS coordinates: N51°38'31.3" W 8°45'55.8".
Stage Commander Stephen Sheehan. Deputy Paul Sheehan.

SS 11&14 Ballinascarthy: Meet at Petrol Station in Ballinascarthy 10am.
GPS coordinates: N 51°40'12.6" W 8°51'26.7".
Stage Commander Sean Hayes. Deputy Ted Murphy.

SS 12&15. Ardfield: Meet Spar Petrol Station, Owenahincha X N71 10.50am.
GPS coordinates: N 51°34'18.5" W 9°00'35.7".
Stage Commander Sean Daly. Deputy Keira Daly.

Entry List Update - 12 Mar

Posted: March 12, 2019 11:12 AM

Withdrawals
76 JOE CONNOLLY/RICHARD CONNOLLY (FORD FIESTA R5) [RC2]
107 WILLIAM KENNEALLY/FINBARR FOGARTY (FORD ESCORT MK2) [13]
117 JAMES MCDIARMID/TBA (FORD FIESTA R2) [RC4]
136 JOSH HARRIS/BARRY TEMPLE (HONDA CIVIC) [11F]
158 CIARAN O DRISCOLL/ANN HUCTHINSON (FORD ESCORT G3) [11R]
J10 CONOR MURPHY/KEITH MCCARTHY (HONDA CIVIC) [16A]

In
162 (Was J16) DAVID KELLEHER/JACK COROCRAN (HONDA CIVIC) [16]

Reminder that entries are still open as allowed to start 160 cars in the main field.

Rally Programmes

Posted: March 12, 2019 11:11 AM

Amber Service Station - Bandon Road Roundabout
R+R Tyres - Ballincollig
O'Donovan's - Ballinscarthy
Cronin's - Ballylickey
Cahalanes Garage - Bandon
Kevin O'Leary - Bandon
Londis Bypass - Bandon
O'Reilly Maxol - Bandon
Casey's Service Station - Jonsbridge, Kanturk
Clonakilty Car Care - Clonakilty
Clonakilty Service Station - Clonakilty
Harte's Spar - Clonakilty
Maxol - Clonakilty
Paddy Meade - Clonakilty
Clonakilty Park Hotel - Clonakilty
Scallys SuperValu - Clonakilty
Texaco (Noel White) - Clonakilty
Walsh Londis - Clonakilty
Cooney's - Coachford
Murphy's Gala - Dromcummer, Killarney Rd.
Galvins - Dunmanway
Peter Walsh - Dunmanway
O'Donovan's - Enniskeane
Moriarity's Centra - Farranfore
Supervalu - Killarney
Cowhigs - Leap
O'Leary's - Lissard
Circle K - Macroom
Texaco - Midleton
Coleman's - Millstreet
Ryan's Spar - Rosscarbery
Hickey's - Skibbereen
Spar (Cunniac) - Skibbereen
Foley's - Timoleague

EDSL Sport: “New Fiesta R2 will be the perfect car for West Cork”

Posted: March 12, 2019 10:57 AM

Official M-Sport Fiesta R2 re-sellers for the UK EDSL Sport, believe the 2019 version of the much-acclaimed machine will be “well matched” to the undulating roads of the West Cork Rally next weekend (16/17 March).

The Hampshire based preparation firm will field two of the brand-new M-Sport built examples at round two of the British Rally Championship, which makes the trek to Southern Ireland and the town of Cork for a two-day blast over the closed public roads in the area.

The firm will mount a two-car assault in the Junior category of the BRC and will aim to put the disappointment of the opening round in Wales behind them as they switch to asphalt for the first time this season. The Junior pilots will vie for a prize fund of 60,000 Euros towards a season in the Junior World Rally Championship in 2020 which has been provided by M-Sport Poland and Pirelli.

The Fiesta R2 has undergone a significant transformation in 2019 and is the most advanced R2 car available to date. With cars arriving in the UK just days before the opening round of the season, eyes were well and truly on EDSL Sport drivers Jordan Reynolds and Ruairi Bell at the Cambrian Rally as not only the cars but also the drivers made their Junior BRC debut at the event.

Both squad members returned an impressive performance in the tricky Welsh forests, setting podium qualifying times. Bell and co-driver Darren Garrod were able to make it to the finish despite last-minute transmission issues but Reynolds and co-driver Peredur Davies were cruelly robbed of a result after the final stage with electrical gremlins. With that behind them, the young squad will be looking to the change of surface to get back towards the sharp end of the Junior category.

Team Manager Alex Waterman believes that the new Fiesta is ready for the task ahead and cannot be underestimated in the Irish lanes.

“We are really looking forward to seeing how the Fiesta will perform on asphalt and it I believe it is well matched to the iconic stages that will be part of the rally next weekend,” he says.

“M-Sport has done a great job in developing the car for all surfaces and I was lucky enough to try one on asphalt at the open day back in January. Although it was an icy race circuit, you could really feel how dynamic it was and all the feedback from the drivers was outstanding. I really believe the Fiesta will be the perfect car for West Cork and I`m looking forward to seeing how both Jordan and Ruairi get on”.

Whilst newcomer Bell has had only a handful of events under his belt on asphalt, Reynolds took advantage of his early commitment to EDSL Sport to contest the Mini Tempest Stages in an older specification Fiesta R2T back in December.

Despite being only his second year of active competition, Reynolds beat more powerful machinery to secure his maiden rally win and give him a confidence boost heading into the first asphalt round of the season.

“I`m very much looking forward to West Cork” says Reynolds.

“We did the Mini Tempest as an exercise to see how we got on with the car and we were very surprised to win it! I’ll use the experience from the event to try and continue progressing. I`ll need to not over drive the car and make a simple mistake this weekend.

It’s certainly a new challenge but the roads look fantastic. Huge contrasts with high speed roads followed by some very technical sections. It will be great to use the new Fiesta on asphalt and seeing how we get on against the locals”.

Both drivers will have to tackle over 240km of flat out driving spread across 15 special stages during the weekend.

Action gets underway at 10.58am on Saturday 16th March with the iconic “Ring” stage plus eight tests during the day including a spectator stage in Clonakilty.

The more leisurely midday start on St. Patrick’s Day will take see Clogagh, Ballinascarthy & Ardfield all attempted twice before an evening finish in Cork.

Tejpar eager to resume British Rally campaign in Cork

Posted: March 11, 2019 10:46 AM

Reigning British ladies rally champion Nabila Tejpar will aim to get her Junior British Rally Championship (JBRC) campaign back on track in Ireland this weekend after rolling out of the first round of the series in Wales.

Tejpar and co-driver Max Freeman will head to the popular West Cork Rally (16/17 March) for the very first time, taking in classic Irish closed public road stages near to the Cork rally base. She will use her familiar Peugeot 208 R2 and vie for a chunk of the £24,000 Peugeot UK / Total prize fund on offer this season in the JBRC.

Tejpar, 25 from Maldon Essex has had mixed fortunes in her competitive season so far and will aim to return to form as the surface switches onto asphalt. Just two weeks ago, she secured a solid start to her Peugeot Rally Cup Iberica campaign in Portugal, joining 23 other crews in the competitive single-make series at Rally Fafe.

In stark contrast to her European finish at the end of last month, Tejpar opened her BRC account with an off-road excursion on the very last stage of the Cambrian Rally, ending the event in a Welsh ditch almost within sight of the finish.

Now, the Pump Technology backed youngster will be looking to the change of surface to kick-start her season in the British Championship.

“I’m really looking forward to the change of surface after two events on gravel and hopefully that will bring a little luck and get us the finish we need for our BRC campaign,” says Tejpar.

“There really is nothing worse than having a zero score under the first round of the season and its very frustrating that I was so close to a finish in Wales. But that’s how it goes sometimes, and the good thing is I was straight back in the driver seat the weekend after in Portugal which went well. That certainly helped banish any waiver in my confidence”.

However, Tejpar does not underestimate the task in hand as she will contest an event in Southern Ireland for the very first time. It’s unique roads and huge entry which will see almost 175 cars tackle the event, will bring an extra dimension to her Irish debut.

“I’ve contested events in Northern Ireland before but never a full event in the South and from the research I’ve been doing, it looks like a very different challenge,” she says.

“I’ve been watching as much in-car footage as I can from YouTube to try and get a feel for the roads. I feel as ready as I can be, but the pre-event recce will be as important as ever to ensure we get the pacenotes just right. I`ll be looking to get closer to the leading Peugeot crews during the weekend and it’s a much longer event so that might be possible.

I’m excited about this one as I’ve heard the atmosphere will be fantastic. With so many cars taking part, it means we are seeded quite low so I`ll need to be mindful of the road surface but the challenge will certainly be on.”

The West Cork Rally takes place over two days and takes in fifteen stages and 240 competitive kilometres.

Tejpar is sponsored by Pump Technology, Matrix Construction, KYOTO, Car Art, Allied Polymer, Lumi and Environmental Biotech with support from Pirelli and Speedline Corse UK.

CORKING NEWS FOR WILSON WITH R5 DRIVE IN KILLARNEY!

Posted: March 11, 2019 10:39 AM

What an amazing time it is for Motorsport Ireland Billy Coleman Award winner James Wilson, as he now looks forward to defending his Junior British Rally Championship lead on this weekends West Cork Rally with co-driver Arthur Kierans in the Peugeot 208 R2. The other exciting news is a fabulous opportunity to drive an R5 Hyundai on the legendary stages of the Killarney Rally of the Lakes in May has now fallen into place. It’s a busy time for James and this development could have a wider significance for the James’s progression towards the top in rallying.

“It’s been a sensational time for me since being declared the winner of the Billy Coleman Award, and following the exciting announcement of the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy it’s become even more exciting for me also! Thanks to the new programme I will be lining up to tackle the awesome Killarney Rally of the Lakes in May in a PCRS RallySport prepared Hyundai i20R5!

This is the first part of an expanded programme of Irish events that I will contest this year as part of the development programme in the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy. It’s all been made possible thanks to funding from former Irish Tarmac Champion- John Coyne through the Team Ireland Foundation, and it really is a dream come true” said James.

It’s an ideal opportunity for the County Armagh driver to learn the techniques of the four wheel drive R5 weapon, as this is very much the next step up from the R2 class in rallying. Indeed the R5 category is currently the most competitive in Irish rallying with former Billy Coleman Award winner and factory Citroen WRC driver- Craig Breen even contesting Irish events in a Fiesta R5 this season.

“We are already trying to make plans for 2020 and of course the R5 path is the one to take, so any extra experience we can gain this season will be invaluable. I can’t get carried away totally with the excitement about Killarney however, as the main focus for now is on the West Cork Rally. It’s another classic event, and I contested it two years ago. In fact it was the first time out in the 208 R2 and I loved the stages then.

From memory it’s quite a fast rally with high commitment needed, but yet there are two days to get around so you have to get to the finish also. With so many four-wheel drive crews ahead of us there could potentially be a lot of mud pulled out so I think everyone will need to assess the conditions on the first loop of stages. It’s great to be home rallying and for West Cork to be a round of both the British Championship and Irish Tarmac Championship is a big coup. I certainly cant wait to get onto the opening stages on Saturday.”

Competition is going to be fierce and James following his opening BRC win on the Cambrian is seeded first in a very strong field of the little 1600cc R2 machines. “The first round was so close it proves how great a class R2 is, and again there are at least six or eight crews who are really capable of winning the category. We are hoping to get a test in the car before-hand as it was Ypres last summer that we were last on tarmac with the 208. We just need to get re-acquainted with the grip levels of the tarmac tyres. The car itself has been re-prepared meticulously by the PCRS team. It required routine maintainence and the tarmac set up put on after the Cambrian which was good.”

In addition to the 50,000 euro funding from the Billy Coleman Award thanks to Motorsport Ireland, Sport Ireland and the individual motor clubs, James’s BRC campaign is also supported by Road Tankers Armagh, Rigual, TEC Industrial, James Wilson Garage Services and Philip White Tyres. Also James will be aiming to win the generous £2500 first prize from Peugeot Sport UK/Ireland for the first 208 R2 home.

With James also tenth overall in the BRC drivers standings there is a lot to play for on West Cork’s flowing roads, and a lot to think about for the future in rallying for the young engineer!

Retson eyes Irish success at West Cork Rally

Posted: March 11, 2019 10:38 AM

Eighteen-year-old rally driver Finlay Retson will make his southern Ireland debut this weekend as he contests round two of the Junior British Rally Championship (JBRC), the West Cork Rally (16/17 March).

The Blairgowrie ace will pilot his brand-new M-Sport Fiesta R2 at the iconic event and will aim to continue his winning ways after finishing first Ford home at the opening round of the series, the Cambrian Rally in Wales last month.

His confidence-boosting result has put him in a prime position to vie for a prize fund worth 60,000 Euros towards a 2020 campaign in the Junior World Rally Championship thanks to M-Sport Poland and Pirelli.

After an up-and-down season in the BRC Cadet Cup, driving an older specification Fiesta R2, Retson would progress into the hotly contested category in 2019 with the acquisition of the latest specification one-litre EcoBoost Ford Fiesta.

One of just three in the country, Retson has embarked on a full campaign in the new model and the southern Ireland event will mark not only his debut in the country but also his maiden outing on asphalt in the world-class machine.

Joining him in the co-drivers seat will be fellow Scot Richard Crozier and the newly formed duo will be looking to secure more points in the bag at the event which offers over 240 kilometres of driving during the weekend.

Retson was pleased with his Cambrian pace and will be doing all he can to retain that momentum in Ireland.

“I had everything thrown at me on the opening round and despite having to learn the new car with every passing stage, I was really pleased with how my stage times progressed during the day,” says Retson.

“Okay, I had a little off in the morning which took the front bumper off but that kind of thing happens when you are testing the limits and to come out with first Ford home at the end of the day was a pleasant surprise. The good thing is I know there is more to come and although next weekend will be a huge learning curve, I`ll be starting off on the right foot”.

Round two of the BRC will see the change from gravel to a sealed surface as the closed public roads around Cork play host to over 175 cars in the event. Retson secured one of the best results of his career across the Irish Sea at the Ulster Rally last season, winning the Cadet Cup category. He will need to call on all of his asphalt experience to make it through the weekend.

“In some ways, I think it will be like stepping into the Fiesta for the first time all over again,” he says.

“I`ll really need to acclimatise to the car and how it handles on the bumpy roads and really just try and figure out what driving style is best. It’s such a long rally though so there is much more of a marathon aspect to this rather than the sprint type events on gravel. I’ll need a different approach for sure and the aim will certainly to be first Ford home again if we can. The pressure is on but I’m really looking forward to competing over such classic stages in Ireland.”

The West Cork Rally offers 15 special stages centred around the Cork rally base during the weekend. Well-known Irish stages such as Ring, Dunworley, Sam’s Cross, Ardfield and a test in the town of Clonakilty make up the tests before a Sunday evening finish back in Cork.

Retson is supported by DJR Services, JSR Services - Blairgowrie Ltd, G S Robertson Ltd, Watermans Solicitors, Rally Travel, Kevin Donachie Electricians, West Ranga Properties, Robert Morton Joiners & Contractors, Vital Equipment Limited, Andrew Wood Motorsport, The Campervan Company, and Results Gym Forfar.

Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally 2019 Press Release 4

Posted: March 6, 2019 10:12 AM

Clonakilty on St. Patrick’s weekend is the place to be with the Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally attracting a stunning entry of over 200 cars across all categories. The rally which is the second round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship and the British Rally Championship as well as the opening round of PlasticBags.ie Southern 4 Rally Championship & FIA Celtic Trophy has 160 cars in the main field, although entries are still being accepted. Top seeds are Donagh Kelly & Conor Foley who will be giving their new Skoda Fabia R5 its debut and the five time winner will face his strongest competition since first competing in West Cork in 2014. Craig Breen has never competed in West Cork before, but having two time winner Paul Nagle on the notes will be a help to the Waterford driver who leads the Tarmac Championship after round 1 and will be pushing hard to make it two in a row. 2018 Tarmac Champion Josh Moffett at three has been runner up on the event for the past two years and will certainly be fired up to go one better this year.

Alastair Fisher put in a stunning drive in Galway after a 15 month absence from the stages and will be looking to improve on his third place finish in Clonakilty two years ago. Rounding off the top five is the Fiesta R5 of Matt Edwards the current British Rally Championship who drives an M-Sport prepared car. Sam Moffett at six will be hoping for better luck than Galway when he went off the road on the opening stage. Sam is another to have finished runner up to Donagh Kelly and will certainly be looking to use his experience of the stages to his advantage. Robert Barrable (Skoda R5) is the only other previous winner of the rally on the entry list with the Dubliner making his first appearance of the year. Coincidentally his win back in 2011 was behind the wheel of a Skoda which may be a good omen for this year. Desi Henry is also Skoda mounted at eight and finished sixth overall last year while at is Scottish driver David Bogie who drives the fourth Skoda in the top ten which is completed by Declan Boyles Ford Fiesta R5.

Lying outside the top ten there are drivers of the quality of Tom Cave, Marty McCormack, Manus Kelly, Jonny Greer, Callum Devine and Stephen Wright to name just a few, and the competition is sure to be spectacular. The national entry is also very strong and led by Gary Kiernan in his Escort followed by John Dalton in the Darrian T90 GTR with former WRC star Mikko Hirvonen, Damien Tourish and Frank Kelly the top five seeds. There is a Welsh family affair for Gwyndaf Evans making his first competitive appearance in West Cork since 2008 who is joined by sons Wayne and Adrian, all in Ford Escorts. Group N sees Michael Boyle, William Mavitty and Andy Davies renew their battle from Galway while the R2 category is extremely competitive. The 2018 Billy Coleman Award winner James Wilson leads a host of quick drivers such as William Creighton, Marty Gallagher, Jordan Hone, Stephen Carey and Josh McErlean. Neil Williams, Ray Cunningham & Ray Hilliard lead the way in the Historic category while Aaron Browne, Mick Lonergan and Kieran Reen are the top three seeded juniors.

The fifteen stages totaling 240km will take in some of the best roads in the country beginning with the fabulous Ring stage at 10.58am on Saturday 16th March. Dunworley, Sam’s Cross, Shanaway and a Clonakilty town stage make up the opening days nine stages. The more leisurely midday start on St. Patrick’s Day will take see Clogagh, Ballinascarthy & Ardfield all attempted twice. You can keep up to date with live results on http://results.westcorkrally.com over the weekend while the Southern Star and C103 Radio who are official media partners for the event will be providing information up to and during the rally. Cork Motor Club would like to thank the Clonakilty Park Hotel for their continued support as title sponsor as well as associate sponsors Jim Davis & Co Builders Ltd and Clonakilty Blackpudding.

Seeded Entry List

Posted: March 6, 2019 8:56 AM

No DRIVER /CO DRIVER (MAKE MODEL) [CLASS]
1 DONAGH KELLY/CONOR FOLEY (SKODA FABIA R5) [RC2]
2 CRAIG BREEN/PAUL NAGLE (FORD FIESTA R5) [RC2]
3 JOSH MOFFETT/KEITH MORIARTY (FORD FIESTA R5) [RC2]
4 ALISTER FISHER/GORDON NOBLE (FORD FIESTA R5) [RC2]
5 MATT EDWARDS/PATRICK WALSH (FORD FIESTA R5) [RC2]
6 SAM MOFFETT/JAMES FULTON (FORD FIESTA R5) [RC2]
7 ROBERT BARRABLE/DAMIEN CONNOLLY (SKODA FABIA R5) [RC2]
8 DESI HENRY/LIAM MOYNIHAN (SKODA FABIA R5) [RC2]
9 DAVID BOGIE/JOHN ROWAN (SKODA FABIA R5) [RC2]
10 DECLAN BOYLE/BRIAN BOYLE (FORD FIESTA R5) [RC2]
11 MARTIN MCCORMACK/BARNEY MITCHELL (SKODA FABIA R5) [RC2]
12 TOM CAVE/JAMES MORGAN (HYUNDAI i20 R5) [RC2]
14 CALUM DEVINE/BRIAN HOY (FORD FIESTA R5) [RC2]
15 JONNY GREER/KIRSTY RIDDICK (FORD FIESTA R5) [RC2]
16 DANIEL CRONIN/JJ CREMIN (FORD FIESTA R5) [RC2]
17 CATHAN MCCOURT/BARRY MCNULTY (FORD FIESTA R5) [RC2]
18 STEPHEN WRIGHT/DAI ROBERTS (FORD FIESTA R5) [RC2]
19 MANUS KELLY/DONALL BARRETT (HYUNDAI i20 R5) [RC2]
20 ALEX LAFFEY/STUART LOUDON (FORD FIESTA R5) [RC2]
21 MEIRION EVANS/JONATHON JACKSON (HYUNDAI i20 R5) [RC2]
22 STEPHEN MCCANN/DENVER RAFFERTY (FORD FIESTA R5) [RC2]
23 BRENDAN CUMISKEY/RONAN O KANE (SKODA FABIA R5) [24]
24 PHILIP ALLEN/MARK KANE (SKODA FABIA R5) [RC2]
25 GARY KIERNAN/DARREN O BRIEN (FORD ESCORT MK2) [14]
26 JOHN DALTON/GWYNFOR JONES (DARRIAN T90 GTR) [14]
27 MIKKO HIRVONEN/JARNO OTTMAN (FORD ESCORT MK2) [14]
28 DAMIEN TOURISH/DOMHALL MCALANEY (FORD ESCORT MK2) [14]
29 FRANK KELLY/MICHAEL COADY (FORD ESCORT MK2) [14]
30 VIVIAN HAMILL/MAC KIERANS (FORD ESCORT MK2) [14]
31 BRIAN BROGAN/DAMIEN MCGETTIGAN (FORD ESCORT MK2) [14]
32 DAMIAN TONER/JOHN MCGRATH (FORD ESCORT MK2) [14]
33 DAVID GUEST/JONATHON MCGRATH (SKODA FABIA S2000) [RC2]
34 ALAN CARMICHAEL/CHRIS WILLIAMS (HYUNDAI i20 R5) [24]
35 CAL MCCARTHY/EAMONN DULLEA (CITROEN DS3 R5) [5]
36 ENDA MCCORMACK/COLIN FITZGERALD (FORD FIESTA R5) [RC2]
37 VINCENT MCSWEENY/MICHEAL JKEARNEY (MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO 7) [20]
38 MICHAEL BOYLE/DERMOT MCCAFFERTY (MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO 9) [RC2]
39 WILLIAM MAVITTY/DES SHERLOCK (MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO 9) [RC2]
40 PHILIP COLLINS/SHANE BUCKLEY (FORD ESCORT MK2) [14]
41 JOHN BONNER/PADDY MCCRUDDEN (FORD ESCORT MK2) [14]
42 JACK NEWMAN/ANDREW BROWNE (FORD ESCORT MK2) [14]
43 COLIN BYRNE/STEPHEN QUIN (FORD ESCORT MK2) [14]
44 TOM FLAHERTY/MARTIN FLYNN (FORD ESCORT MK2) [14]
45 WAYNE EVANS/JOHN SMITHWICK (FORD ESCORT MK2) [14]
46 MARK DOLPHIN/BRIAN QUINLAN (FORD ESCORT MK2) [14]
47 TOMAS DAVIES/EURIG DAVIES (FORD ESCORT MK2) [14]
48 BRIAN O KEEFE/SEAN HAYDE (MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO 9) [RC2]
49 KEITH LYONS/NIALL BURNS (FORD FIESTA R5) [RC2]
50 MARTYN ENGLAND/DAWN ENGLAND (FORD FIESTA R5) [5]
51 CONOR MCCARTHY/GAVIN SHEEHAN (MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO 9) [20]
52 JER O DONOVAN/DEREK TOBIN (SKODA FABIA S2000) [RC2]
53 SACHA KAKAD/JAMES ALDRIDGE (FORD FIESTA R5) [RC2]
54 CONOR MCCROSSAN/DAVID BURNS (SKODA FABIA S2000) [20]
55 RICHARD MOORE/WILLIAM LYNCH (FORD ESCORT MK2) [14]
56 MERION EVANS/DECLAN DEAR (FORD ESCORT MK2) [14]
57 DAVID CONDELL/PAUL KELLY (FORD ESCORT MK2) [14]
58 ADRIAN EVANS/MARTIN HENRY (FORD ESCORT MK2) [14]
59 JASON O MAHONY/JONATHAN O MAHONY (FORD ESCORT MK2) [13]
60 JR MCDAID/AODHAN GALLAGHER (FORD ESCORT MK2) [13]
61 ROB JONES/GARY KINGHORN (FORD ESCORT MK2) [14]
62 JAMES WILSON/ARTHUR KIERANS (PEUGEOT 208 R2) [RC3]
63 WILLIAM CREIGHTON/LIAM REGAN (PEUGEOT 208 R2) [RC4]
64 STEPHEN CAREY/YVONNE JOHNSTON (FORD FIESTA R2) [2]
65 MARTY GALLAGHER/DEAN O SULLIVAN (PEUGEOT 208 R2) [RC4]
66 JORDAN HONE/AILEEN KELLY (OPEL ADAM R2) [RC4]
67 JOSH MCERLEAN/KEATON WILLIAMS (PEUGEOT 208 R2) [RC4]
68 KEVIN O DONOGHUE/COLIN O DONOUGHUE (BMW M3 E30) [14]
69 ANDREW FANNING/ANDY HAYES (PROTON SATRIA S2500 MILLINGTON) [20]
70 JASON RYAN/PETER KEOHANE (TOYOTA STARLET) [11F]
71 ANDY DAVIES/MICHAEL GILBEY (SUBARU IMPREZA) [RC2]
72 GWYNDAF EVANS/DAVID JONES (FORD ESCORT MK2) [13]
73 GERARD MC QUAID/GARY QUINLAN (FORD ESCORT MK2) [13]
74 GEOFFREY DOLAN/CONOR MURPHY (TALBOT SUNBEAM) [13]
75 EOGHAN CALNAN/CONOR CALNAN (FORD ESCORT MK2) [13]
76 JOE CONNOLLY/RICHARD CONNOLLY (FORD FIESTA R5) [RC2]
77 JOHN COYNE/STEPHEN JOYCE (PORSCHE 997 RGT) [6]
78 GARETH LLOYD/DAVID BYRNE (BMW M3 E30) [14]
79 TOM BARBER/SION JONES (BMW COMPACT) [14]
80 SEAN MOYNIHAN/CATHAL QUILL (FORD ESCORT RS) [12]
81 ERIC CALNAN/DEREK O BRIEN (PEUGEOT 106) [11F]
82 CATHAL MCCARTHY/BENARD FOLEY (HONDA CIVIC) [11F]
83 JOHN REDDINGTON/DYLAN DOONAN (FORD ESCORT MK2) [14]
84 MICHAEL CANNY/SINEAD CANNY (FORD FIESTA R5) [22]
85 JOHN MORRSION/PETER CARSTAIRS (MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO 9) [20]
86 HUW JEFFREYS/AVRINA CONNOR (SUBARU IMPREZA) [20]
87 DEREK BUTLER/AARON O REGAN (HONDA CIVIC) [11F]
88 JOHN O SULLIVAN/JOHN MCCAY (FORD FIESTA R200) [11F]
89 TONY REES/IAN TAYLOR (DARRIAN T90) [14]
90 RAY BREEN/PODGE NEWE (METRO 6R4) [15]
91 WYN SPOT/DAVID DAVIES (FORD ESCORT MK2) [13]
92 EDDIE O DONNELL/SIMON PROUD (FORD ESCORT MK2) [14]
93 JAMES WILLIAMS/TOM WOODBURN (FORD FIESTA R2T) [RC4]
94 KEVIN HORGAN/STEPHEN HORGAN (SKODA FABIA R2) [RC4]
95 EAMON KELLY/CONOR MOHAN (FORD FIESTA R2T) [RC4]
96 FINLAY RETSON/RICHARD CROZIER (FORD FIESTA R2T) [RC4]
97 JONATHAN MULLHOLLAND/CHRLES GALLAGHER (FORD FIESTA R2T) [RC4]
98 JORDAN REYNOLDS/PEREDUR DAVIES (FORD FIESTA R2) [RC4]
99 BART LANG/SINCLAIR YOUNG (FORD FIESTA R2) [RC4]
100 NEIL PHELAN/RAY FITZPATRICK (FORD ESCORT MK2) [14]
101 SEAN O DONAVAN/HAROLD ATKINSON (FORD ESCORT MK2) [13]
102 DECLAN CAMPBELL/KEVIN CREIGHAN (FORD ESCORT MK2) [12]
103 PHILIP GREENLEE/GAVIN J DOWNEY (FORD ESCORT MK2) [13]
104 CHRIS O CALLAGHAN/JACK DALTON (TOYOTA COROLLA) [13]
105 TOMMY MCDONAGH/PAUL HICKEY (FORD ESCORT MK2) [12]
106 DAMIEN CAMPBELL/DECLAN MCGARRITY (FORD ESCORT MK2) [12]
107 WILLIAM KENNEALLY/FINBARR FOGARTY (FORD ESCORT MK2) [13]
108 SEAN O CARROLL/NIALL O SULLIVAN (FORD ESCORT MK2) [14]
109 COLIN ROWE/DAVID BOOTY (FIAT 131) [13]
110 NIALL O SULLIVAN/SEAN O CROWLEY (CITREON C2) [11F]
111 MICHAEL O SULLIVAN/MAIREAD DUANE (FORD ESCORT MK2) [12]
112 JERRY O MAHONY/WILLIE BUCHANAN (FORD ESCORT MK2) [12]
113 RUAIRI BELL/DARREN GARROD (FORD FIESTA R2T) [RC4]
114 RONAN DENNING/KARL EGAN (PEUGEOT 208 R2) [RC4]
115 SCOTT SLOAN/DAVID SLOAN (PEUGEOT 208 R2) [22]
116 JAMES BOLAND/DAVID MANLEY (FORD FIESTA R2) [2]
117 JAMES MCDIARMID/TBA (FORD FIESTA R2) [RC4]
118 RHIDIAN DANIELS/TOMAS WHITTLE (CITROEN C1) [11F]
119 WALTER DICK/MARK O SULLIVAN (FORD ESCORT MK2) [13]
120 BOB MORAN/ADAM POWER (FORD ESCORT MK2) [11R]
121 PAUL ROBERTS/TADGH OSULLIVAN (OPEL CORSA MAXI) [13]
122 MIKE NELLIGAN/JOHN HURLEY (TOYOTA COROLLA) [11R]
123 GARY KELLY/MARK HURLEY (HONDA CIVIC) [11F]
124 ANDREW SHEEHAN/CIAN CORBETT (HONDA CIVIC) [22]
125 FERGAL KELLY/GRAHAM KELLY (FORD ESCORT G4) [13]
126 FERGUS HURLEY/ERIC DEANE (FORD ESCORT MK2) [11R]
127 MARK DONOVAN/DAVID DUGGAN (FORD ESCORT) [11R]
128 NOEL BRADY/RICHARD DAVIS (FORD ESCORT MK2) [12]
129 VICTOR BEAMISH/SUSAN BEAMISH (VAUXHALL NOVA) [10]
130 MICKEY P KELLIHER/EOGHAN McCARTHY (FORD ESCORT MK2) [10]
131 DAVID JENNINGS/DAVID JENNINGS (FORD ESCORT MK2) [10]
132 ROLAND DOHERTY/PJ O DOWD (OPEL CORSA) [9]
133 NOEL MCCARTHY/JOHN CAVERLY (FORD ESCORT MK2) [9]
134 ANDREW JAMES/ALEC MORRIS (FORD ESCORT MK2) [12]
135 JOHN SPILLANE/GER CLANCY (PEUGEOT 106) [11F]
136 JOSH HARRIS/BARRY TEMPLE (HONDA CIVIC) [11F]
137 FRANK HURLEY/JAMES KINGSTON (FORD ESCORT MK2) [13]
138 NICK BARNETT/MARTIN BRADY (MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO 9) [RC2]
139 PAT AHERNE/DONNACHA O CALLAGHAN (FORD ESCORT MK2) [10]
140 PATRICK O CONNOR/BRENDAN DOWLING (MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO 9) [20]
141 JOHN O SULLIVAN/DENNY O ROIRDAN (TOYOTA COROLLA) [11R]
142 PAUL SCANNELL/MOSSY GRIFFIN (FORD ESCORT) [11R]
143 HAZEL O CALLAGHAN/TOMAS RYAN (FORD ESCORT MK2) [13]
144 TIERNACH MAGUIRE/NICKY HEGARTY (FORD ESCORT MK2) [10]
145 SEAMUS O GRADY/EDWARD ROCHE (PEUGEOT 205GTI) [12]
146 MAURICE GANNON/IVAN GANNON (FORD ESCORT MK2) [13]
147 MICHAEL MURPHY/PAT CASHMAN (TOYOTA COROLLA) [11R]
148 ANTHONY BREEN/JILL WHITE (SUBARU IMPREZA) [15]
149 BRIAN DOHERTY/TARA DUGGAN (FORD FIESTA R2) [22]
150 AIDAN LONG/RORY O DONOUGHUE (SUBARU IMPREZA) [15]
151 JOHN RYAN/NIAMH RYAN (SUBARU IMPREZA) [15]
152 RICHARD HICKEY/ANDREW MACFARLANE (HONDA CIVIC) [11F]
153 DONAL DINEEN/BRIAN GILES (SUBARU IMPREZA) [15]
154 NABILA TEJPAR/MAX FREEMAN (PEUGEOT 208 R2) [RC4]
155 COLM FORDE/JONATHAN TRILL (HONDA CIVIC) [13]
156 EMMA NOTT/DECLAN CASEY (FORD ESCORT MK2) [9]
157 DAVID SWANTON/BRIAN O MAHONY (SUZUKI SWIFT) [9]
158 CIARAN O DRISCOLL/ANN HUCTHINSON (FORD ESCORT G3) [11R]
159 PAT MCDONAGH/SEAGHAN HICKEY (FORD ESCORT MK2) [10]
160 ROBERT BEAMISH/ORLA BEAMISH (OPEL CORSA) [9]
161 FERGHAL O CONNOR/CATHAL MURPHY (HONDA CIVIC) [11F]

H1 NEIL WILLIAMS/ANTHONY O SULLIVAN (FORD ESCORT MK2) [D5]
H2 RAY CUNNINGHAM/JARED GILL (AUSTIN MINI) [B2]
H3 RAY HILLIARD/CONOR WALSH (FORD ESCORT) [C5]
H4 GEORGE CULLEN/ANN OTHER (FORD ESCORT MK2) [D5]
H5 JAMES O MAHONY/SEAN HASSETT (FORD ESCORT) [K]
H6 DECLAN JACKSON/BARRY MCCARNEY (FORD ESCORT) [D3]
H7 DANIEL JONES/KEVIN LEWIS (FORD ESCORT) [D5]
H8 DUNCAN WILLIAMS/GEORGE WILLIAMS (FORD ESCORT) [D5]
H9 CRAIG MACWILLIAM/TREVOR HAMILTON (FORD ESCORT) [C5]
H10 LUKE MCCARTHY/DAVID HOGAN (FORD ESCORT) [K]
H11 BERIAN RICHARDS/FRANK CURTAIN (FORD ESCORT) [D5]
H12 BRENDAN MACREE/JOHN HENDERSON (PORSCHE 911) [K]
H14 ADRIAN KERMODE/PAULA SWISCOE (PORSCHE 911) [K]
H15 PHILIP MCKIBBIN/TOMMY COMMANE (FORD ESCORT MK1) [C3]
H16 PEADER WALSH/GRACE WALSH (FORD ESCORT MK1) [C3]
H17 CHRIS LLOYD/DENIS O MAHONY (FORD ESCORT) [D5]
H18 ALAN WATKINS/IARLA MCCARTHY (FORD ESCORT) [D3]
H19 BERNARD DALY/PHILIP DOHERTY (FORD ESCORT MK1) [C5]
H20 IAN DAVIES/WYN THOMAS (BMW M3) [K]
H21 JOHN O REILLY/NICK SPARKS (FORD ESCORT) [C5]
H22 HARRY BROWN/J MARTIN MCGRATH (HILLMAN AVENGER) [C2]
H23 JAMES HALL/TONY MCCARTHY (AUDI COUPE) [K]

J1 AARON BROWNE/DANIEL HANRATTY (HONDA CIVIC) [16A]
J2 MICK LONERGAN/MICKEY WALSH (HONDA CIVIC) [16A]
J3 KIERAN REEN/KEVIN DOHERTY (HONDA CIVIC) [16]
J4 NEIL MARTIN BROGAN/CONAL MCNULTY (HONDA CIVIC) [16A]
J5 MICHEAL CUNNIFFE/BARRY TALT (PEUGEOT 106) [16]
J6 EAMON MCCARTHY/LISA KNOX (NISSAN MICRA) [16]
J7 CHRIS BRADY/JENNIFER WARREN (HONDA CIVIC) [16]
J8 SHANE NORRIS/CATHAL KEANE (HONDA CIVIC) [16]
J9 CIAN WALSH/DERRY LONG (TOYOTA COROLLA) [16A]
J10 CONOR MURPHY/KEITH MCCARTHY (HONDA CIVIC) [16A]
J11 AARON HEALY/JOHN FLEMING (HONDA CIVIC) [16]
J12 BARRY ARCHER/EUGENE CRONIN (HONDA CIVIC) [16]
J14 JOHN JOE WILLIAMS/MEG BRADY (FORD ESCORT MK2) [16A]
J15 RONAN CREAGH/PETER O SULLIVAN (HONDA CIVIC) [16]
J16 DAVID KELLEHER/JACK COROCRAN (HONDA CIVIC) [16]
J17 BRIAN KEOHANE/DONAL KEOHANE (VAUXHALL NOVA) [16]
J18 PETER FALVEY/ANDREW CRONIN (TOYOTA STARLET) [16A]
J19 BRIAN ROWAN/PAT KNOX (HONDA CIVIC) [16]
J20 CONOR MULLEN/MICHEAL BREEN (FORD FIESTA) [16A]
J21 DONAGH CROWLEY/DENIS NAGLE (TOYOTA STARLET) [16A]

BRC update - Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally

Posted: March 5, 2019 6:33 AM

Entries are filling up very, very rapidly for our first visit to the Republic of Ireland. This is the first chance this season where we get to take on the Irish Tarmac Championship teams head-to-head. That is always as exciting battle. However, the entry attracting the most interest is that of Mikko Hirvonen. Runner-up to Sebastien Loeb four times in the World Rally Championship, Mikko will take to the wheel of a Ford Escort Mk2 for the Clonakilty based event. Then at the front of the field there is WRC refugee, Craig Breen in a Fiesta R5. The competition will be fierce.

Over 200 entries were received across all classes for the event. 160 will run in the main field, with another 20 Historic and 25 Junior entries. 30% of the entries are from outside Ireland with some even coming from as far afield as Finland and the USA, giving it a full international flavour, something that Clonakilty is getting very excited about.

We are all looking forward to seeing the 30 R5 cars and 18 R2s compete around the famous Ring on 16th/17th March.

Competitor Bulletin 1 available

Posted: March 4, 2019 5:07 PM

West Cork Rally

Regulations / Entry Form available

Posted: February 8, 2019 2:36 PM

West Cork Rally
Cork Motor Club

Mikko Comes To West Cork!

Posted: February 1, 2019 4:40 PM

The 2019 Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally will see one of the most recognisable and popular rally stars of his generation, Mikko Hirvonen set to compete on this year’s event. The Finnish superstar and former Ford works driver will take the wheel of a Ford Escort Mk2 for St. Patrick’s weekend. Mikko helped Ford to manufacturer titles in both 2006 & 07 and was runner up in the World Rally Championship four times behind Sebastian Loeb. He retired from the World Rally Championship scene in 2014 after taking fifteen career victories in the series. In recent years he has competed on rally raids, most notably the Paris-Dakar Rally. Mikko has some Irish tarmac experience having competed on Rally Ireland twice in 2007 & 09 as well as the Cork 20 Rally in 2007 which was used as a warm up for Irelands WRC round that year.

Cork Motor Club are also delighted to announce a media partnership with two of the biggest brands in Cork, C103 Radio and the Southern Star newspaper. Both C103 and the Southern Star have given great coverage to the event over the years and this deal will strengthen the links between the rally and local media.

Entries will open for this year’s rally on Friday 8th February and regulations will be available to download from that date on www.westcorkrally.com and www.corkmotorclub.com. A rally guide for this year’s rally is already available from both of those sites. With the rally being the second round of both the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship and the British Rally Championship as well as the opening round of the PlasticBags.ie Southern 4 Rally Championship there is a lot of interest, and any accommodation queries should be directed to chamber@clonakilty.ie.

Rally Launch - (Fri) 1 Feb 1

Posted: January 31, 2019 3:40 PM

Rally Guide Available

Posted: January 25, 2019 3:16 PM

Rally Guide available at:

West Cork Rally

Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally 2019 Press Release 2

Posted: January 22, 2019 2:59 PM

Preparations are coming on well for the 2019 Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally which takes place on March 16th & 17th next. The rally is the second round of both the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship and the British Rally Championship as well as being the opening round of the PlasticBags.ie Southern 4 Rally Championship.

Clerk of the Course Greg McCarthy has scheduled fifteen classic stages with nine of the tests taking place on the opening day with six more to follow on the second day, all in daylight. The Clonakilty Park Hotel (formerly the Quality Hotel) is once again the Rally Headquarters for the weekend. Centralised service will be located in the grounds of Darrara Agricultural College as in previous years. As always, there will be a historic and junior section, with the historic rally begining on stage 5, and the junior rally taking in all of Sundays stages.

Regulations for the rally will be available to download in the coming weeks. Any enquiries for accommodation should be directed to chamber@clonakilty.ie. A rally guide for the event will be available to download very shortly.

2019 West Cork Rally to be counting rounds of ITRC & BRC

Posted: September 5, 2018 6:50 AM

Cork Motor Club who have promoted and organised the West Cork Rally for the past 40 years are pleased to announce that their flagship event will be a counting round of next years British Rally Championship. The rally is already a round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship and for 2019 St. Patricks weekend will see the first of two crossover events in the respective championships.

Greg McCarthy will be Clerk of the Course for the fifth year and he said
“We are delighted to have been approached by the BRC, and it’s a great reflection on our event. The rally has progressed greatly since becoming a full round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. I think it will be great for the championship to have another event as joint rounds. We have always tried to change things around year on year, so there will be some differences but the event will run on pretty much the same way as it always has.”

Iain Campbell, BRC Manager said
“We have been working with the Tarmac Championship for a while now and we listen to competitors from Ireland who support the BRC strongly. The timing of the West Cork Rally works well for both championships at the start of the season. I visited West Cork this year to see the rally and the area. St. Patricks weekend in southern Ireland on classic roads is a weekend that all will enjoy.”

Rally / Club Website

Posted: September 5, 2018 6:49 AM

West Cork Rally
Cork Motor Club