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Links2012 Irish Forest Rally Championship
Posted: December 20, 2012 7:39 PM - 13605 Hits
- Forest Championship DVD
- Final Championship Points
- Dean Raftery - 2012 Irish Junior Forestry Rally Champion
- Forest Rally Championship Prizegiving - (Sat) 3 Nov 12
- 2 Rounds to Go
- National Forest Rally Championship Forum - (Sat) 7 Jul 12
- Mid Antrim Motor Club will host the final round of the 2012 Valvoline Forest Rally Championship
- Notice re Round 6
- 2012 Marks Return to the Woods for John Byrnes
- Valvoline Forest Championship gets TV boost
- Championship Website Relaunched
- Message from Championship Committee Chairman
- Championship Rounds
Forest Championship DVD
Posted: December 18, 2012 10:09 AM
Dean Raftery - 2012 Irish Junior Forestry Rally Champion
Posted: November 2, 2012 9:12 PM
Congratulations to Galway’s Dean Raftery who clinched the 2012 Valvoline Irish Junior Forestry Rally Championship. Here is how the season unfolded…
The season began back in January, with Donegal Motor Club hosting the opening round. Dean led for most of the event until he picked up a puncture and was forced to change it during the stage, eventually finishing third. Next up was the Willie Loughman Rally based in Carrick-on-Suir where Dean went one step closer to victory, finishing second.
It was to be third time lucky for Dean at the Moonraker Rally, with new navigator Aileen Kelly on board they claimed their first victory of the season and moved to the top of the championship table. The new pairing worked well as their success was to be repeated with victory at the Jim Walsh and Sean Conlon Rallies. They also climbed to the top of the 2WD standings.
The championship then headed north of the border for the penultimate round – The Bushwhacker Rally, based in Omagh. The team headed to the event knowing that a victory would clinch the title and that was to be realised, they lead from start to finish!
Dean commented after the event: “We came here today with the plan to drive our own rally and not make any mistakes. It worked perfectly and I am delighted to have won the championship, especially at my first attempt”.
Dean also clinched the 2012 South East Stages Rally Junior Championship. The championship, which is unique in Ireland as it combines both gravel and tarmac rallies, provides a real challenge for the drivers. Dean won the final round at the Dick Bailey Stages Rally in Wexford and the championship with it.
“It was great to win my first championship and also to get my first tarmac Junior win makes it twice as good”.
This week Dean received more good news, after being announced as the winner of the motorsport category of the Galway Bay FM Sports Stars of the year awards.
“It is nice to get some recognition from outside the motorsport world, I have received a lot of calls and texts congratulating me”.
Dean would like to thank his navigator Aileen, his father-Daragh, Bob, Craughwell Tyre Centre, King Batteries & Hankook Tyres for their continued support and finally Gerry from Broderick Motorsport, the car didn’t miss a beat all year!
2 Rounds to Go
Posted: September 11, 2012 1:48 PM
Two rounds remain in the Valvoline Irish Forest Rally championship for 2012. With the next round , round six being the Bushwacker Rally which is on Saturday 22nd of Sepetmber and is organised by the Omagh Motor Club.
The regs and entry form are attached and further details are now available
Mid Antrim Motor Club will host the final round of the 2012 Valvoline Forest Rally Championship
Posted: July 6, 2012 9:47 AM
Notice re Round 6
Posted: April 30, 2012 2:46 PM
The Motorsport Ireland Forest Sub Committee have been made aware that the Dogleap Stages Rally will not run in 2012 as a forest event.
This news comes as a great disappointment as the event had been included in the Valvoline Forest Rally Championship as Round 6.
An announcement will be made shortly relating to this matter.
2012 Marks Return to the Woods for John Byrnes
Posted: February 29, 2012 2:40 PM
After a two year absence from Motorsport, John Byrnes makes his return to forest rallying.
With support from Yokohama and Croom Precision Medical John will be driving a Group N Honda Civic in the Valvoline Forest championship and selected rounds of the BRC Challenge. John will also be partnered by new navigator Sarah Whelan.
In 2007 John narrowly missed out on the Junior Forest championship, settling for the runner up spot.
Success came in 2009 for John with him taking class D honours in the National Junior Rally Championship driving a Citroen C2 R2.
John has submitted late entry to this weekend’s Willie Loughman Forest Rally.
“I’m very pleased to be competing again, my first event back will be the Willie Loughman Forest Rally which I’m very excited about. I’ve competed on this event three times and there real driver’s stages and very challenging” commented John.
John and Sarah’s first UK outing will be round 3 of the BRC challenge the Pirelli Rally on April 28th. By this time, John hopes to be back up to speed and on the same pace, that saw him setting the benchmark on the gravel rounds of the 2008 and 2009 National Junior Rally Championship.
Valvoline Forest Championship gets TV boost
Posted: February 25, 2012 11:01 PM
The Forest Rally Committee has announced a TV package for the 2012 series. Valvoline, the series sponsor for 2011 and 2012 has increased their support of this exciting championship with extra funding towards TV coverage for the six round series.
Chairman John Quill is delighted with the development. He commented
“the further commitment from the Valvoline company is a huge boost for the championship and it will add to the profile of the rallies and the crews taking part. On behalf of the committee I would like to thank Qualvecom and Valvoline. In addition we are very mindful and appreciative of the help from Motorsport Ireland and the support of our associate sponsors, Hankook Tyres, Suirway Farm Machinery and Forklifts, R&R Tyres Ballincollig, CCS for HANS Hire and Exact Signs. The competitors who have registered for the series have also helped as the registration fee is going directly to help fund the TV package”.
Message from Championship Committee Chairman
Posted: December 20, 2011 10:09 PM
Message from Championship Committee Chairman John S Quill:
"Its been a great year for Forest rallying and with the continued support of Valvoline for 2012 it looks like its getting stronger. Congratulations to all award winners and many thanks to all who have sponsored and supported the championship. Also the 6 clubs that ran the events did great work and we look forward to a 7 round championship in 2012.
For the first time in a number of years the champion is returning to defend his title. This is great to see as it shows the Valvoline National Forest Rally Championship to be a key part of rallying in Ireland. The 2010 champion Pat O’Connell is also returning after a one year leave of absence from the championship. Murphy and O’Connell along with a host of top drivers are planning on contesting the 2012 series. Look forward to seeing ye all in Donegal in January 28th."
Championship Rounds
Posted: December 20, 2011 10:00 PM
- Donegal Forestry Rally - 28 Jan 12
- Carrick-on-Suir Wm.Loughman Forestry Rally - 3 Mar 12
- Munster CC Moonraker Forestry Rally - 15 Apr 12
- Cork Jim Walsh Cork Forestry Rally - 19 May 12
- Tipperary Sean Conlon Memorial Forestry Rally - 8 Jul 12
- Maiden City MC Dogleap Forestry Rally - 4 Aug 12
- Omagh Forestry Rally - 22 Sep 12
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