Jim Walsh Cork Forestry Rally - (Sat) 14 Aug 10

Seeded Entry List / Rally Schedule available

Posted: August 12, 2010 7:39 AM

• Cork Motor Club

Petro Systems National Forest Rally Championship - O’Connell nears the end game

Posted: August 10, 2010 11:50 AM

Next Saturday’s Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally is round five of the Petro Systems National Forest Rally Championship, a six round series for 2010. The final round will be the Down rally in October, and that event will mark the first ever visit by the forest championship to Northern Ireland.

Like the All Ireland championships the forest championship is now in the business end of the season. Unlike the GAA finalists however, the forest championship is a Tipp v Dublin shootout, with Cashel driver Pat O’ Connell leading Hollystown’s John Reid by 24 points.

O’Connell, who drives an Evo9 scored a hatrick of victories in Mitchelstown, Carrig-on-Suir and Moonraker, and while he was third in the Donegal forest rally he got second place championhip points in the Petro series. John Reid was runner up in the first trio of events and was just six points in arrears going to Donegal. However the Dub was to suffer his first retirement in 18 rallies when the steering arm broke in his Corolla WRC, causing instant retirement. The gap to the flying O Connell grew larger and Reid’s task now looks daunting. However the championship rules stipulate that a competitor must count his four best scores and there is a bonus of four points for a competitor who starts every round. Reid still has a mathematical chance, but the momentum is with O’Connell.

Just two points behind Reid is the sideways Starlet of Mick Cuddihy, from Ninemilehouse. Cuddihy is the leading two-wheel drive exponent and he has entertained the spectators all year and has a huge lead in class three. Cork Motor Club member Mark Murphy lies fourth overall in his Impreza, ten points adrift of Cuddihy and he could be a candidate for the podium yet. It is still all to play for in the Petro Systems National Forest Rally Championship and there is plenty driving left in this series yet.

The 2010 Cork Forestry will be have its HQ at the Roundabout Inn in Mallow, Co. Cork.
With the Service Area in the nearby Quartertown Industrial Estate, the event will see a reduction in road mileage over previous years. The event will continue with two stages run twice in the morning followed by another two stages run twice in the afternoon. The rally route will consist of approx 100 kms of competitive stage mileage in the traditional North Cork forest stages. Clerk of the Course Paul Casey has put in a lot of work ensuring the smooth running of this classic event and he is backed up by the very experienced Darren McCarthy as his deputy, with Paul’s brother Johnny as assistant COC.

ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR JIM WALSH CORK FOREST RALLY:

Posted: August 10, 2010 11:48 AM

The stage is set for round 4 of the Petro Systems National Forest Rally Championship. Entries are still being accepted and entry forms/regulations are available to download at www.corkmotorclub.com

The Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally, promoted and organised by Cork Motor Club, takes place on Saturday August 14th and boasts almost 100 stage kilometres over one days rallying over some of the smoothest forest roads in the country.

Scrutiny will take place on Friday August 13th I Quarterstown Industrial Estate with Parc Ferme at Dermot Casey Plant in the same area.

Rally HQ will be situated in the Roundabout Inn in Mallow.

The first car will leave Parc Ferme at 8.30 on Saturday morning August 14th and is due on stage 1 at 9.28 with an optional service on route. From then on the crews will enjoy a compact route comprising 2 stages run twice giving a total of 8 stages in all with service taking place after every 2 stages in the Quarterstown Industrial Estate in Mallow.

Stage one will be Mount Hilary followed by Stage 2, Bweeng after which the cars will enter service, following which both stages will be repeated with the cars returning to service once again. After service the cars will tackle Stage 5, Streamhill, which this year has been reduced from 23kms to 13.5kms, after which the cars will attempt Stage 6, Ballinaboola before entering service for the final time. These 2 stages will be attempted once again before the field returns to the finish ramp at the Rally H/Q, the Roundabout Inn at 17.33.

As is usual, both the Juniors and Class 1 competitors will head the main field.

Most of the usual championship contenders have put in entries as has Cork Motor Clubs Owen Murphy and James O’Brien the winning co driver from last year.

The forest championship is a Tipp v Dublin shootout, with Cashel driver Pat O’ Connell leading Hollystown’s John Reid by 24 points.

O’Connell, who drives an Evo 9 scored a hatrick of victories in Mitchelstown, Carrig-on-Suir and the Moonraker, and while he was third in the Donegal forest rally he got second place championship points in the Petro series. John Reid was runner up in the first trio of events and was just six points in arrears going to Donegal. However he was to suffer his first retirement in 18 rallies when the steering arm broke in his Corolla WRC, causing instant retirement. The gap to the flying O Connell grew larger and Reid’s task now looks daunting. However the championship rules stipulate that a competitor must count his four best scores and there is a bonus of four points for a competitor who starts every round. Reid still has a mathematical chance, but the momentum is with O’Connell.

Just two points behind Reid is the sideways Starlet of Mick Cuddihy, from Ninemilehouse. Cuddihy is the leading two-wheel drive exponent and he has entertained the spectators all year and has a huge lead in class three. Cork Motor Club member Mark Murphy lies fourth overall in his Impreza, ten points adrift of Cuddihy and he could be a candidate for the podium yet. It is still all to play for in the Petro Systems National Forest Rally Championship and there is plenty driving left in this series yet.

Marshals' meeting points plus GPS co-ordinates

Posted: August 6, 2010 7:29 PM

Available on the club website:

• Cork Motor Club

Competitors - Get your entries in before seeding

Posted: August 4, 2010 6:18 PM

"Cork Motor Club have put in a great effort to get this event ready and need your support.

Entries are now open for this event and Cork Motor Club would like to do the seeding over the weekend and issue Final Instructions early next week so pleas go to www.corkmotorclub.com for regulations and entry form and return in today’s post please.

Rally Launched

Posted: August 4, 2010 6:04 PM

Pictured at the Roundabout Inn, (from left) Brian O'Connell, PRO; Deputy Sean Sherlock TD; Deputy Mayor of Mallow,
Cllr John Griffin; Paul Casey, COC, Edel Fahy Chief Marshal
Photo: Noel Ferriter

The press launch for the 2010 Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally took place on Thursday evening at the Roundabout Inn, Mallow, which is the headquarters for the rally this year.

Guest speakers for the evening included Deputy Sean Sherlock TD, and the Deputy Mayor of Mallow, Town Councillor John Griffin. Chief Marshal for the event, Edel Fahy, Clerk of the Course, Paul Casey, and event PRO Brian O’Connell, also spoke on the night about the running of the rally.

“We are delighted to be back in Mallow and to have our H/Q here at the Roundabout Inn for which we thank our hosts, Kay and Liz. We are conscious of the economic climate and are pleased to be making a contribution to the economy,” said Brian, who then went on to call on Deputy Sean Sherlock TD.

Deputy Sherlock express his support for the event and wished Cork Motor Club a safe and successful event. Deputy Mayor John Griffin welcomed the rally to Mallow, saying that it was good for the area and would bring extra business to the town especially in this time of cutbacks.

Chief Marshal Edel then spoke about safety on the event.
“We ask all those going to spectate on the event to obey the marshals, stay in a safe place and have a safe and enjoyable day’s rallying”.

Finally, COC Paul Casey, spoke on his plans for the rally.
“We are constantly looking for ways to make our events more competitor friendly and we feel that the one long day format running on the Saturday is still the way to go. The big difference is the fact that once the day’s rallying is over everybody will have time to enjoy the prize giving and entertainment that’s being laid on without having to worry about getting back up the road and into work on Monday morning, so all in all it should lead to a much more relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for the weekend,” said Paul.

“I would like to thank the speakers, the stage commanders and all the team for their hard work to date and our hosts Kay and Liz of the Roundabout Tavern, I would especially like to thank Coillte and the local foresters for all their help in providing the excellent stages that the event is renowned for. Lastly and most importantly I would like to echo what Edel has said, safety. Be safe and obey the Marshal’s, they are there for your protection,” he concluded.

Paul was deputy COC of the event in 2009 and steps into the hot seat this year. He is backed up by the very experienced Darren McCarthy as his deputy, with Paul’s brother, Johnny, as assistant COC.

The rally takes place on August 14 and is round 5 of the Petro Systems National Forest Rally Championship as well as being a counting round of the Cork Motor Club championship.

The event will comprise of two stages run twice in the morning followed by two stages run twice in the afternoon. As is usual for the club centralised servicing will take place after every two stages.

The rally route will consist of approx 100 kms of competitive stage mileage in the traditional North Cork forest stages which have made the Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally one of the most popular on the championship.

Rally Launch - (Thu) 29 Jul 10

Posted: July 27, 2010 1:08 PM

The club is hosting the rally launch at the event H/Q, the Roundabout Tavern, Mallow, Co Cork on Thursday July 29th at 8PM and once again all are welcome.

Marshal Training - (Tue) 27 Jul 10

Posted: July 27, 2010 1:05 PM

Marshal’s training night will take place in the Commons Inn, new Mallow Road on Tuesday July 27th at 8.30PM and all are welcome.

Jim Walsh Cork Forestry Rally 2010 Press Release 1

Posted: July 27, 2010 1:03 PM

The Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally 2010 takes place on August 14 and is round 5 of the Petro Systems National Forest Rally Championship.  

With so many of the events falling by the wayside due to the economic climate, Cork Motor Club is confident in bucking that trend by running the event on the Saturday which has proven to be very popular with both competitors and spectators alike. The event will continue with 2 stages run twice in the morning followed by 2 stages run twice in the afternoon. As is usual for the club centralised servicing will take place after every 2 stages.

The rally route will consist of approx 100 kms of competitive stage mileage in the traditional North Cork forest stages which have made the Cork Forest Rally one of the most popular on these Islands, there will be approx 230 road kms. There will be a few differences to the way some of the stages were run last year, the long Streamhill stage which, at 20.7kms was one of the longest forest stage in the championship has now been reduced to 13kms with one stage being replaced.

Paul Casey having been deputy COC of the event last year steps into the hot seat this year and is backed up by the very experienced Darren McCarthy as his deputy with Paul’s brother Johnny as assistant COC.

Speaking on the changes to the event Paul Casey said
“We are constantly looking for ways to make our events more competitor friendly and we feel the one long day format running on the Saturday is still the way to go. The big difference is the fact that once the days rallying is over everybody will have time to enjoy the prizegiving and entertainment that’s being laid on without having to worry about getting back up the road and into work on Monday morning, so all in all it should lead to a much more relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for the weekend. Paul went on to that Coillte and the local foresters for all their help in providing the excellent stages that the club is renowned for.

Regulations available

Posted: July 7, 2010 10:54 PM

• Cork Motor Club

New HQ for Cork Forerstry

Posted: June 16, 2010 2:38 PM

The 2010 Cork Forestry will be have its HQ at the Roundabout Inn in Mallow, Co. Cork

With the Service Area in the nearby Quartertown Industrial Estate, the event will see a reduction in Road Miles over the revised route of 8 classic stages.

New COC Paul Casey and his team report the 80KM of stages in excellent condition.

Regulations will be available in the next few weeks

Club Website

Posted: January 1, 2010 12:01 AM

• Cork Motor Club