Skibbereen Fastnet Stages Rally - 25 Oct 09

ELLIOTT/GOODMAN WIN THE DUNLOP NATIONAL RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
CRONIN/HURLEY WIN WEST CORK HOTEL FASTNET RALLY
Report courtesy of Dunlop - Proud sponsors of the National Rally Championship

Posted: October 27, 2009 4:56 PM

CAVAN'S, Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Subaru WRC) secured back to back titles in the Dunlop National Rally Championship courtesy of fourth place (second placed Dunlop points) in the Skibbereen based West Cork Hotel Fastnet Rally, the tenth and final round of the series.

They finished one place behind title rivals, Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru) and that was enough to win the title by two points - Elliott's 154 points to Maguire's 152 points.
The event itself was won by the local crew of Denis Cronin/Coleman Hurley (Subaru), who finished eleven seconds in front of the Subaru of Welshman, Mel Evans and his co-driver, Patrick Walsh.

Meanwhile, in the Patterson's RallyNews Group N award, Kevin Kelleher (Mitsubishi) did enough to deny Garry Jennings the title even though the Fermanagh ace won the Group N category on the event itself.

The inaugural rally.ie award for the top two wheel drive competitor within the Dunlop series was won by Mike Quinn (Ford Escort), who was co-driven by Grainne McEnery.

Maguire set the pace on the opening stage and moved into a three second lead from the Subaru of Mel Evans with Cronin a further six second in arrears.  Elliott in fourth, who was 13 seconds down on Maguire, was pleased that he had got through the opening test.  Kevin Barrett was five seconds further adrift in fifth position.
In the chase for the Patterson's RallyNews Group N award, Garry Jennings (Mitsubishi) seized the early initiative, posting a time three seconds quicker than Kelleher, who was quite content to hold position to ensure Group N success in the Dunlop series.
Jennings was somewhat perturbed as his Mitsubishi cut out before the stage start, he eventually sorted the issue but it dented his confidence.  Barry Meade (Escort), who posted the same time as Jennings, was the top two-wheel drive performer, ten seconds faster than Wesley Patterson (Escort), who completed the top ten along with late entry, Brian O'Mahony (Renault Clio S1600).



Cronin was quickest on the second test to share the lead with Evans.  On S.S. 3, the West Cork driver was quickest and led Evans by a mere second at the Skibbereen service halt. Maguire held third and was 21 seconds clear of Dunlop rival, Elliott in fourth, who opined that he found it difficult to judge the pace.  Maguire reckoned that he could have pushed harder in some sections of the third stage.  Behind the top quartet, Kevin Barrett was only two seconds from Elliott as he remarked on the tough nature of the stages.

Jennings and Kelleher followed. Meade crashed on the third stage while a stage earlier, Brian O'Mahony retired with gearbox problems.  Daragh O'Riordan (Renault Clio) took up the role of top two-wheel drive exponent. Mike Quinn (Escort) and Thomas Fitzmaurice rounded off the top ten.

Cronin set a staggering pace on the fourth test and duly moved into an eleven second lead over Evans with the Dunlop Subaru WRC trio duo of Maguire, Elliott and Barrett next in classification. Evans lost time on the fifth stage when his Subaru punctured.  Cronin arrived at the final service halt with a 20 second advantage over Maguire and Evans, who tied for second.
Elliott remained on course despite having lost some 20 seconds when he stalled his Subaru at a hairpin on Stage 6. Barrett held fifth although he reckoned he selected the wrong tyres for the loop.  Jennings led Group N but Kelleher was quite content to continue shadowing the Fermanagh driver.

Elsewhere, Daragh O'Riordan continued to lead the two-wheel drive category, he was eighth in general classification while the Escort pair, of Mike Quinn and Wesley Patterson were only a second apart.

On the final stage, Elliott did enough to clinch the title for a second successive year.  Cronin slackened his pace on the final test to take his second victory in the event.  Barrett came home in fifth place to secure third overall in the Dunlop series. Kelleher kept his cool to collect the long awaited Patterson's RallyNews Group N award from a gallant Jennings, who won the Group N category on the event itself.
Patterson came through to win the two-wheel drive category but Quinn took the national honours.  The final place in the top ten was claimed by the Renault Clio S1600 of Daragh O'Riordan.

Photos:

Posted: October 27, 2009 4:50 PM

rallyprint.com - Trevor McGrath
James Burke Motorsport Photography
E-mail: Joe Lane

Posted: October 27, 2009 4:38 PM

Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman take back to back titles
Photo: Trevor McGrath


Historic Winners: Ray Hilliard/Senan Raggett Photo: James Burke

Results

Posted: October 27, 2009 4:08 PM

1 Denis Cronin/Colman Hurley (Subaru Impreza WRC) 71m 55s
2 Melvyn Evans/Patrick Walsh (Subaru Impreza WRC) 72m 06s
3 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC) 72m 08s
4 Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC) 73m 18s
5 Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza WRC) 73m 24s
6 Garry Jennings/David Moynihan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 73m 46s
7 Kevin Kelleher/Martin Kelleher (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 74m 19s
8 Wesley Patterson/Martin McGarrity (Ford Escort Mk II) 76m 24s
9 Mike Quinn/Grainne McEnery (Ford Escort Mk II) 76m 27s
10 Daragh O’Riordan/Jonathan McGrath (Renault Clio S1600) 76m 56s

Group N Production class:
1 Garry Jennings/David Moynihan
2 Kevin Kelleher/Martin Kelleher
3 Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 77m 29s

Historics
1 Ray Hilliard/Senan Raggett (Ford Escort Mk I)
2 David Cremin/Johnny O'Shea (Ford Escort Mk I)
3 Diarmuid Lynch/Mark Horgan (Ford Escort Mk II)

JUNIORS:
1 David Fleming/Kieran Doherty (Civic) 47m 31s
2 Ray O'Sullivan/Derek O'Brien (Nova) 47m 31s
3 Kevin O'Connor/Donal Balfe (Peugeot 205) 47m 48s

Leaders After:
SS1 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS2 Denis Cronin/Colman Hurley (Subaru Impreza WRC)
& Melvyn Evans/Patrick Walsh (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS3-7 Denis Cronin/Colman Hurley (Subaru Impreza WRC)

Stage Winners:
SS1 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS2 Denis Cronin/Colman Hurley (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS3 Denis Cronin/Colman Hurley (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS4 Denis Cronin/Colman Hurley (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS5 Denis Cronin/Colman Hurley (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS6 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS7 Melvyn Evans/Patrick Walsh (Subaru Impreza WRC)

Full Results: results.shannonsportsit.ie (Angus Sealy)
Rallynews (by Brian & Liz Patterson)

DUNLOP DECIDER IN FASTNET FINALE IN SKIBBEREEN
Preview courtesy of Dunlop - Proud sponsors of the National Rally Championship

Posted: October 27, 2009 4:04 PM

THE trail that is the Dunlop National Rally Championship culminates with the tenth and final round, the West Cork Hotel Fastnet Rally in Skibbereen on Sunday next.

The seven-stage encounter will decide the destiny of the Vard Memorial Trophy for the overall winner with Monaghan's, Niall Maguire and Cavan's, Patrick Elliott, both in Subaru WRC's, vying for ultimate success.  Maguire seeks an unprecedented fourth national title while Elliott's quest is back-to-back titles - not achieved since the 1997/1998 campaigns when John Gilleece triumphed.  Previously, Stephen Murphy, Bertie Law and Ger Buckley managed the same feat.

Meanwhile, the Patterson's RallyNews Group N award is also down for decision between the Mitsubishi pair of Fermanagh's, Garry Jennings and Cork's, Kevin Kelleher.

The destiny of a number of class awards within the Dunlop series will also be determined.  In addition, the organising Skibbereen and District Car Club has attracted one of the strongest top ten starters with no fewer than seven World Rally Cars on the list.

Dunlop National Rally Championship leader Niall Maguire arrives in Skibbereen boosted by his recent victory in the Donegal Harvest Rally (Round 9) that gave him a total of 150 championship points, Elliott is 14 points adrift.

The permutations are as follows - should Maguire take maximum points in Skibbereen (152 points), Elliott needs a top three finish to claim the Dunlop title, if Maguire doesn't secure maximum points in the Skibbereen event, a top four finish will be enough for Elliott.  However, if both retire or Elliott fails to finish in Skibbereen then it's Maguire title.

Maguire outlined his plan, "The same as Donegal really, I will have to go as hard as I can, it's going to be a tall order, but what can I do, that's the way it is entering the final round.  In one sense, there is no pressure on me, Patrick has to finish in the top four, top three if I win the rally.  I will also be hoping on Garry Jennings and Kevin Kelleher to have a good result and even finish ahead of Patrick. 
However, I can't see Patrick finishing down in fourth, unless he has a problem.  My tie-break on the Circuit of Kerry was hard to take, those extra two points would be of great benefit now, as would the two points I lost to Kevin Barrett in Galway.  But I have to live with that now, so we'll hope for the best and take it from there."

Title rival, Elliott remarked, "In Donegal, where I was coming back from an accident on the previous round in Galway, my confidence was poor, especially on the first loop.  We had a poor set-up in the car.  My plan is the same as any of the previous rounds.  We will tackle the opening loop and then assess the situation. I have to think of the championship, but on saying that, I will have to set a good pace rather than put something at risk by not concentrating and driving below that pace.  I have won in Skibbereen before, but this is all about the day itself.  Apart from Niall, Kevin Barrett will also be trying to win the rally.  Weather conditions, particularly if it is wet or damp could see the Group N cars of Garry Jennings and Kevin Kelleher coming into the equation.  I would have liked to have beaten Niall (Maguire) in Donegal."

The presence of Maynooth's, Kevin Barrett (Subaru WRC) could be very significant.  His maiden victory in a round of the Dunlop series in Galway has given him extra confidence, he actually led in Donegal prior to his retirement with gearbox problems.  He will also try and secure third overall in the series, second spot is also a possibility should Elliott make a slip.

The Patterson's RallyNews Group N award is also fascinating.  Although Garry Jennings leads by three points, his arch rival, Kevin Kelleher has an eight-point advantage when dropped scores are taken into consideration. Jennings punched in a pair of fastest times in Donegal and will not be daunted by competing on his rivals' s doorstep.  

Last year's West Cork Hotel Fastnet Rally winner, Liam McCarthy heads the 111 car entry onboard his Toyota Corolla WRC, he is a former triple winner of his local event.  Another local ace, Denis Cronin (Subaru WRC) won in 1994 and will be a serious contender to win his second Fastnet title.  Welsh ace, Mel Evans (Subaru) is another driver very capable of event victory along with 2003 winner, Michael Barrable in a Ford Focus WRC.  The top ten is completed by Wesley Patterson in his Mk. 2 Ford Escort.

The Modified entry also includes Kerry's, Mike Quinn (Ford Escort), who has all but clinched the inaugural rally.ie two wheel drive award; Barry Meade and John O'Donnell, Kevin O'Donoghue and Fergus O'Meara, all in Ford Escorts.  Other entries are Daragh O'Riordan (Renault Clio S1600), Thomas Fitzmaurice (Mitsubishi), Mark Nangle (Subaru) and Berrian Richards (Subaru 555).

Entry Lists

Posted: October 15, 2009 9:00 PM

No Driver/Navigator (Car) [Class]
1 Liam McCarthy/Kieran Murphy (Toyota Corolla WRC) [8]
2 Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Subaru S12B) [ 8]
3 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza) [ 8]
4 Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza WRC S11) [ 8]
5 Denis Cronin/Helen O' Sullivan (Subaru WRC ) [8]
6 Melvyn Evans/Patrick Walsh (Subaru WRC S12) [ 8]
7 Michael Barrable/Dermot O'Gorman (Ford Focus WRC ) [8]
8 Kevin Kelleher/Martin Kelleher (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [ 4]
9 Gary Jennings/David Moynihan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [ 4]
10 Wesley Patterson/Martin McGarrity (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
11 Mike Quinn/Grainne McEnery (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
12 Barry Meade/Alan White (Ford Escort RS Mk2) [13]
14 John O'Donnell/Alistair Wyllie (Ford Escort Mk2 ) [13]
15 Darragh O'Riordan/ TBA (Renault Clio) [ 6]
16 Kevin O'Donoghue/Joe O'Leary (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
17 Fergus O'Meara/Liam Brennan (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
18 Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [ 4]
19 Mark Nangle/Michael Clyne (Subaru Impreza N12) [ 4]
20 Berrian Richards/Frank Dwyer (Subaru 555) [8]
21 John Somers/TBA (Toyota Celica) [15]
22 Vincent O'Shea/Brian Hickey (Ford Escort 4x4) [15]
23 Gwyn Thomas/Colin Fitzgerald (Ford Puma) [15]
24 Damien McCarthy/Eamon Hayes (Honda Civic) [11]
25 Jim McKenna/Thomas Treanor (Toyota Starlet RWD) [11]
26 Noel O'Donnell/Ronan Murrin (Peugeot 205 GTi) [12]
27 Declan Gallagher/Eoin Gallagher (Toyota Starlet) [11]
28 Neill Pierce/Enda O'Leary (Honda Civic) [11]
29 Andrew Hockridge/Darren Garrod (Citroen C2 R2 MAX) [ 6]
30 Leonard Downey/Mark Murphy (Ford Escort Mk 2) [13]
31 Eoghan Calnan/Conor Calnan (Ford Escort) [13]
32 Charlie Hickey/Johnny Hickey (Ford Escort RS) [13]
33 Arthur Kierans/ TBA (Ford Escort) [12]
34 Willliam Cavanagh/Dorothy Cavanagh Woods (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
35 Richard Casey/Brian McNamara (Ford Escort Mk1) [12]
36 David Guest/Willie Murphy (Honda Civic) [11]
37 John Buttimer/Declan Buttimer (Subaru Impreza) [ 8]
38 Brian O' Keeffe/Carol O' Keeffe (Subaru Impreza) [8]
39 Pat Kelly/Noel Lambert (Subaru Impreza STI) [ 8]
40 Pat Price/Stephen Price (Subaru Impreza N12B) [ 4]
41 Thomas White/ TBA (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [ 4]
42 John Stafford/Anne Marie Kennedy (Darrian T9) [ 9]
43 Martin Lordan/Sorcha Kelly (Ford Escort Mk2) [9]
44 Jason McSweeney/Ruth Guest (Honda Civic) [11]
45 Gerard O'Connell/Patrick McCarthy (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
46 Philip Cross/Brian Doherty (Ford Escort) [12]
47 Willie Kenneally/TBA (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
48 Steve Roberts/Jonathan Jennings (Ford Escort) [12]
49 Jerry O'Callaghan/Gavin Sheehan (Toyota Starlet) [12]
50 Bernard O'Brien/Derek Tobin (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
51 John Quin/Alice Dunne (Vauxhall Chevette) [13]
52 Noel Brady/Richard Davis (Ford Escort) [13]
53 Godfrey Kirby/Mark Keanneally (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
54 Michael McKennedy/Andy Mahon (Toyota Corolla) [11]
55 John White/ TBA (Honda Civic) [11]
56 Niall Donoghue/Shane Greene (Honda Civic) [ 2]
57 Stephen Carey/Mark Lee (Honda Civic EK4) [ 2]
58 Victor Beamish/Susan Beamish (Vauxhall Nova) [10]
59 John S Quill/Alan Hartigan (Citroen C2 R2) [ 6]
60 Michael Delaney/Mark Bowes (Ford Escort) [13]
61 David Calnan/John Calnan (Subaru Impreza) [15]
62 JP Ruth/Brian Daniels (Peugeot 306 GTI 6) [ 7]
63 Pakie Duffy/Colin Duffy (Honda Civic Type R) [ 3]
64 Billy McCarthy/John Falvey (Nissan Micra) [ 9]
65 Colin O'Keeffe/Cian Corbett (Vauxhall Nova) [ 9]
66 Gerry O'Mahony/Willie Buchanan (Ford Escort) [10]
67 Paul Casey/Johnny Casey (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
68 Adrian O'Driscoll/Conor O'Hanlon (Ford Escort) [13]
69 Johnny Curran/Jason O'Callaghan (Ford Escort) [13]
70 Greg McGroary/Kerry McCarter (Ford Escort) [13]
71 Tony Calnan/Aidan Calnan (Subaru Impreza) [ 8]
72 Tom Dunne/Declan Grogan (Subaru Impreza GPN) [ 4]
73 Martin Quirke/John Hurley (Talbot Sunbeam) [11]
74 Paul Browne/Margaret Browne (Honda Civic) [11]
75 Shawn Quin/Kevin Horgan (Toyota Corolla) [11]
76 Raymond Heney/ TBA (Toyota Corolla GT) [11]
77 Patrick Calnan/Trevor McCarthy (Peugeot 106) [ 6]
78 Ger Buckley/Ger Myers (Peugeot 106 Cup Car) [ 6]
79 Peter Desmond/Brian Magan (Vauxhall Nova) [ 9]
80 Adrian Levis/Foxy Gar (Suzuki Swift) [ 9]
81 John O'Donnell/Brendan Furlong (Toyota Starlet RWD) [ 9]
82 Noel O'Sullivan/Nick Burke (Ford Escort) [ 9]
83 Kenny McCarthy/Peter Keohane (Suzuki Swift) [9]
84 Jason Roycroft/Kieran Daly (Suzuki Swift) [ 9]
85 George Jagoe/Alan Mulligan (Suzuki Swift GTI) [ 9]
86 Ger Power/Bob Marley (TBA TBA) [9]
87 Simon Cummins/ TBA (Vauxhall Nova) [ 9]
88 Simon Evans/Barry Faul (Austin Mini Cooper) [ 9]
89 Adrian Tobin/David Dunne (Toyota Corolla GTi) [11]
90 Connie Lynch/Michael Lynch (Honda Civic) [11]
91 Brian O'Mahony/Michelle Gallwey (Peugeot 106 GTi) [ 2]
92 Tommy Kelly/Leon Galvin (Honda Civic EK4) [ 2]
93 Eamonn McCafferty/Catherine Levis (Ford Puma) [ 5]
94 Otto Gropler/Chrystal Culkeen (Ford KA) [ 5]
95 Shay Byrne/John Delaney (Talbot Sunbeam) [10]
96 Tony Canny/David O'Brien (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
97 Kieran Hayes/Noelle O Reilly Hayes (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
98 Sam Leech/Shane Griffin (Ford Fiesta) [10]
99 Donal McCarthy/Henry Reidy (Opel Manta) [12]
100 Batt O'Donoghue/ TBA (Vauxhall Nova) [ 9]
101 Noel O'Mahony/Cliff Desmond (Toyota Starlet) [ 9]
102 Noel O'Regan/Ger Keohane (Suzuki Swift) [9]
103 Eoin Crowley/John Caverly (Ford Escort Mk2) [9]
104 Donal Dineen/Kieran O'Regan (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
105 Seamus O'Donovan/Vincent Bennett (Suzuki Swift) [ 9]
106 Donie O'Brien/Donal Coleman (Suzuki Swift) [ 9]
107 Finbarr Hegarty/John Murphy (Honda Civic) [ 9]
108 Finbarr Murphy/Arthur Jadgoe (Suzuki Swift) [ 9]
109 Christopher Dineen/ TBA (Honda Civic) [11]
110 Fergal Ryan/Adrian Daly (Toyota Corolla GTi) [11]
111 Seamus Ronan/Aoife Fitzpatrick (Honda Civic) [11]

Historics
H1 Ed Murphy/TBA (Ford Escort Mk1) [16]
H2 Ray Hilliard/Senan Raggett (Ford Escort Mk1) [16]
H3 Martin Sheahan/Sean Daly (Ford Escort Mk1) [16]
H4 David Cremin/Johnny O'Shea (Ford Escort Mk1) [16]
H5 Noel Hurley/Cyril Casey (Saab 99 EMS) [16]
H6 Edward Hallahan/Barry Murphy (Ford Escort Mk1) [16]
H7 Diarmuid Lynch/Mark Horgan (Ford Escort Mk2) [16]

Juniors
J1 Ray O'Sullivan/Derek O'Brien (Vauxhall Nova) [17]
J2 David Fleming/Kieran Doherty (Honda Civic) [17]
J3 Jonathan O'Callaghan/Aishling Crowley (Peugeot 106 GTi) [17]
J4 Darren Young/ TBA (Honda Civic) [17]
J5 Jonathan Roycroft/Christopher Keohane (Suzuki Swift GTI) [17]
J6 John Forde/James Collard (Peugeot 205) [17]
J7 David Brosnan/Donal Horgan (Honda Civic) [17]
J8 Cal McCarthy/Eamonn Dullea (Suzuki Swift GTI) [17]
J9 David Duggan/Seany Murphy (Toyota Corolla) [17]
J10 Cathal McCarthy/Sheila O'Neill (Toyota Corolla RWD) [17]
J11 Darren Noonan/Eoin Twomey (Honda Civic Vtec) [17]
J12 Patrick Slattery/Michael Kelleher (Honda Civic) [17]
J13 Declan Murphy/Mark Cronin (Honda Civic) [17]
J14 Mark O'Shaughnessy/Eoin O'Donoghue (Peugeot Xsi) [17]
J15 Kevin O'Connor/Donal Balfe (Peugeot 205 RWD) [17]
J16 Con Lucey/Helen Duggan (BMW 1600) [17]
J17 Padraig McCarthy/Andrew Beamish (Honda Civic) [17]

• SKIBBEREEN & DISTRICT CAR CLUB

All Ireland Tyre Changing Competition at the Fastnet Rally:

Posted: October 15, 2009 8:59 PM

The Skibbereen & District Car Club are pleased to announce that we will be hosting an All Ireland Tyre Changing Competition 2009 on the day of the Fastnet rally, Sunday October 25th. This competition will be held as part of the fundraising event for West Cork Rapid Response & Build4 Life. The idea is to change the front two tyres to the rear of the car and the rear tyres to the front in the shortest possible time. It is hoped that each competing crew will enter there service crew in this competition as well as anyone else who wants to take part. A team must have four people and the judge‚s decision is final. A donation of 20 euro per team would be appreciated. We thank you for supporting this challenge as all of us together will make a difference and help save lives.

Rally Connection of Millstreet, Cappagh, Dungarvan, and Co. Waterford Rally School are donating a simulator truck for the day to help with fundraising.

These competitions will be held in Skibbereen Mart grounds (service area).

For more information on the above charities please contact
086 3831187 / +353 86 3831187

Also check out web sites.

www.build4life.ie
www.westcorkrapidresponse.ie

Entries Still open

Posted: October 12, 2009 2:52 PM

Entries are still open, Entries currently coming in steady.
90 entries recieved as of Friday 9th October.

Press Launch - Thursday 15th October 2009

Posted: October 12, 2009 2:50 PM

Press Launch on Thursday 15th October in the West Cork Hotel Skibbereen at 9pm - Ger Donovan & Sean Hayde, Irish Tarmac Championship Group N Winners will be interviewed plus more to be confirmed.

Time and Distance Schedule

Posted: October 12, 2009 2:04 PM

• SKIBBEREEN & DISTRICT CAR CLUB

Fastnet Junior and Historic Rally 2009

Posted: October 1, 2009 4:22 PM

Regs are available and entries are open for both of the above rallies and permission has been granted by Motorsport Ireland for both the juniors and historics to join the rally after the first service ; that is to join the rally after the third stage.
This means that both groups will get 4 stages totalling 50 miles and that they will compete on each individual stage of the rally and do a full recce .
The junior rally in particular is getting a lot of interest as many young drivers feel the cost of doing the full rally is prohibitive.
The Fastnet Junior Rally is exceptionally good value at €300 and the club expect to start 30 competitors at least .
Entries are coming in quickly so we in the club would advise people to get the entries in a.s.a.p. before all junior places are gone.
Don’t say you were not told!

Press Release 1

Posted: September 28, 2009 2:46 PM

Skibbereen & District Car Club is delighted to announce the continuing support of the West Cork Hotel in Skibbereen as the main sponsor for the Fastnet Rally in 2009, which will, once again, be run on the October Bank Holiday Weekend.

Skibbereen Business Association has come on board as a major sponsor of this event. The association’s motto is “Working together for the future of Skibbereen” The business group has identified the rally as a major source of tourism income at this time of the year.

The event will be run over 7 stages with approximately 140 stage kilometres in close proximity to Skibbereen town .The rally is centered around Skibbereen and this should lead to a carnival atmosphere in and around the town over the whole weekend.
The Clerk of the Course, Mr. Michael O Riordan, is confident of receiving a good quality entry as The Fastnet Rally is the final round of the Dunlop National Championship and the outcome of this the final round will determine who the eventual champion will be .
On Saturday morning ,the rally crews will converge on the town from all over Ireland and this will result in a much needed boost to tourism in Skibbereen which has been adversely affected by the current financial constraints this country is coming to terms with .Scrutiny of the rally cars will begin shortly after midday on Saturday in the N.C.T. centre close to the wonderful facility of the Cork Marts Complex on The Marsh Road within walking distance of The West Cork Hotel, rally headquarters.
Stage 1,4,7, starts close to the town itself and goes outwards in a loop which finishes on the western side of the town as stage 3and 6.
Due to the fact that officials of the club attend and help out many other organising motor clubs throughout the year, help will be forthcoming from Cork, Munster, Imokilly, Killarney, Kerry Limerick, Tipperary ,and Wexford clubs.
Safety for the event is thoroughly checked by the governing motorsport body, Motorsport Ireland and the final event details have been submitted to Cork County Council and the Garda authorities for their approval.

A detailed time and distance schedule will be posted in the coming week and the road closing orders will be available in the national press.

The regulations and entry form are now on the Skibbereen Car Club web site and at the www.shannonsportsit.ie/EVO/Login

This years West Cork Hotel Fastnet Rally is also;
The final Round of the Dunlop National Championship 2009
The final Round of the Thomond Crystal Southern 4 Championship 2009
A counting round of the TMC Windows Skibbereen & District Car Club
Championship 2009

On Line Entry Open:

Posted: September 26, 2009 11:28 PM

Entry fee is €540 - €40 of which will be given to charities.
It will be shared between:
West Cork Rapid Response (http://www.westcorkairambulance.ie)
Build 4 Life. (http://www.build4life.net)

Preliminary details are as follows:
There are 7 stages in total, with centralised service in Skibbereen.

On Line Entry:

Shannon Sports IT (EVO On line Entry)

• SKIBBEREEN & DISTRICT CAR CLUB

Preliminary Details

Posted: September 20, 2009 10:57 AM

Skibbereen & District Car Club is delighted to announce the continuing support of the West Cork Hotel in Skibbereen as the main sponsor for the Fastnet Rally in 2009, which will, once again, be run on the October Bank Holiday Weekend.

Also, we are delighted to announce that the Skibbereen Business Association have come on board as major sponsors of this event. Skibbereen Business Associations motto is ?Working together for the future of Skibbereen.? They have identified the rally as a major source of tourism income at this time of the year.

The event will be run over 7 stages with approximately 140 stage kilometres in close proximity of Skibbereen town.

This years West Cork Hotel Fastnet Rally is also ;

The final Round of the Dunlop National Championship 2009

The final Round of the Thomand Crystal Southern 4 Championship 2009

A counting round of the TMC Windows Skibbereen & District Car Club Championship 2009

Regulations will be available shortly

Win a Co-Drivers Seat in a Metro 6R4

Posted: September 6, 2009 5:23 PM

Charity Fundraiser and Auction Night - (Fri) 16 Oct 09

Event Website / Details

Posted: January 1, 2009 12:01 AM

• SKIBBEREEN & DISTRICT CAR CLUB