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LinksJim Walsh Cork Forestry Rally - (Sat) 13 Aug 11
Posted: September 23, 2011 12:05 PM - 15526 Hits
Round 4 - 2011 Irish National Forestry Championship
- VALVOLINE FORESTRY CLASS REPORT AFTER ROUND 4 CORK
- Even more In Car!
- More In Car
- Video Clips
- In Car
- O’Connell/Wiley star on return
- More Photos
- Report: O' Connell/Wiley Corker, Murphy/O'Brien take the points.
- Results
- Seeded Entry List
- Preview
- Provisional Top 10
- EXCITEMENT BUILDS IN THE VALVOLINE CHAMPIONSHIP
- Final Instructions 1 and rally schedule
- Rally Launched
- Message from the Lord Mayor of Mallow
- Rally Launch - (Fri) 22 Jul 11
- Regulations / Entry Form
- Press Release 1 - Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally Mallow
- Club Website
VALVOLINE FORESTRY CLASS REPORT AFTER ROUND 4 CORK
Posted: September 23, 2011 12:05 PM
With four rounds of the Valvoline Forestry Championship completed, all the class battles are up for grabs and continue to provide excitement for crews and spectators alike. In addition to the overall and 2WD championship, there are nine different classes up for grabs.
The Tipperary M.C. kicked off the year as usual with the Sean Conlon Memorial Forest Rally which was based in Mitchelstown on February 13th. Round two followed on April 10th and once again the Carrick-on Suir Club hosted the Willie Loughman Memorial rally, with a novel format. The event started on Saturday afternoon with three stages in daylight, and these were repeated under the cover of darkness in the evening. The Moonraker was round three. Based in Lismore, it was organised by the Munster MC and run on Sunday April 10th. Round four should have been the Donegal Forest rally but the rally was cancelled and the Jim Walsh Cork Forest rally was next up on August 13th.The Omagh MC Bushwhacker which takes place on September 24th replaces the Donegal event, and the season finishes like last year with the Down rally on October 22nd.
Class 1 ( For cars up to 1450cc)
Joe Shinnors Jnr leads this class thanks to wins on the Moonraker and Cork. He must be cursing his luck with the engine failure that forced his retirement in Carrick. Second placed Emmet Cronin had his share of retirements and in Cork the drive shaft failed. Tristan Horan who won the class in Carrick did not start in Cork, is in third place.
Joe Shinnors Vauxhall Nova 23
Emmet Cronin Ford Escort Mk2 22
Tristan Horan Ford Ka 12.
Class 2 ( For cars up to 1.6 litre 8V)
Mick Nevin is the long time master of this class, and the Tullamore farmer suffered a rare retirement in Cork with carburettor issues. Liam Kelleher thought his rally and championship was finished when he left the road on his local event, but the Banteer man survived to tell the tale and collect maximum points in this class. As a result Nevin and Kelleher are now joint leaders with 33 points and it is all to play for. Anthony Bulman is third twenty one points adrift.
Mick Nevin Ford Escort 32
Liam Kelleher Ford Escort 32
Anthony Bulman Ford Escort 11.
.Class 3 (For cars up to 1.6 litre 16V)
This was promising to be a very competitive class in the early rounds with Paul Fitzgerald racing against the two very fleet RWD Starlets of Shane Mc Girr and Mick Cuddihy. Mc Girr was the winner in Mitchelstown followed home by Cuddihy and Fitzgerald.On round two it was Fitzgerald ahead of Cuddihy and then Mc Girr. Then Mc Girr changed to a two litre engine and into class five. Cuddihy did not finish the Moonraker (ball joint) and did not start in Cork, Fitzgerald winning on both occasions. As a result Fitzgerald has a huge lead of twenty points and one podium from either of the last two rallies will see the Corkman win the class, even if Cuddihy wins on both occasions.
Paul Fitzgerald Ford Escort 41
Mick Cuddihy Toyota Starlet RWD 21
Shane Mc Girr Toyota Starlet RWD 20.
Class 4 (For cars up to 2.0 litre 8V)
Very much a Benskin family affair, with Sean leading, his brother Ray second thanks to a fine win in Cork. Alan Commins is the interloper in third place, the Piltown man won the last two rounds in Carrick and Moonraker but suffered retirements in Mitchelstown and Cork. Ray Jnr had a good day in Mitchelstown with a win, but retired on round three and four. This class is close enough but Sean is pulling away at the front. Destined to go to the last round.
Sean Benskin Ford Escort Mk2 39
Ray Benskin Ford Escort Mk2 31
Alan Commins Ford Escort Mk2 24
Ray Benskin Jnr Ford Escort Mk2 21
Class 5 (For cars up to 2.0 16V)
The leader of the “big” Escort class is James Coleman- the chairman of the rallies committee of Motorsport Ireland-thanks to two seconds and a third places. Coleman retired on stage 4 in Cork with transmission woes. Frank Kelly won this class in Cork-and third overall-and the Tyrone driver is now in the reckoning with two maximum scores. Shay Power won the class on his home event in Carrick, after a fourth in Mitchelstown but a non finish in the Moonraker and a non start in Cork has him man 10 points adrift of Coleman. Shane Mc Girr could be the one to watch in this class, the Fivemiletown man was second in Cork and with two rallies in the North remaining he could be on the podium.
James Coleman Ford Escort Mk2 30
Frank Kelly Ford Escort Mk2 22
Shay Power Ford Escort Mk2 20
Class 6 (For Clubman Gp A cars)
The first of the three four wheel drive classes is lead by Mark Murphy, who won this class last year. Murphy at the wheel of his Subaru Impreza had a win in Mitchelstown followed by a fourth and second place in Moonraker and Cork. Stephen Wright did not compete on round one but the Monaghan man in the EVO 6 is gaining in confidence with class wins in rounds two and three and four. Another class win and the class is Wright’s. Danny Creedon and Pat Price who are on 19 points each will be fighting for a podium place in all probability.
Mark Murphy Subaru Impreza 39
Stephen Wright Mitsubishi Evo 6 33
Danny Creedon Subaru Impreza 19
Pat Price Mitsubishi Evo 6 19
Class 7 (WRC cars)
The drivers in this class are more focused on the rally wins and John Reid was championship runner up last year. The Dubliner won class seven on the Mitchelstown and Moonraker but he was forced to retire from Carrick with flu. Corkman Jeremy Drislane was the class winner on the latter event.
On Cork Reid drove an Evo9 but retired on one of the later stages.
John Reid Toyota Corolla WRC 24.
Jeremy Drislane Subaru Impreza WRC 12
Class 8 (Group N cars)
Perhaps the most exciting class in the championship, from where the overall winner of the championship will emerge. Owen Murphy won the class (and the rallies) on the first two rounds, but a damaged radiator on the Moonraker forced the Corkman to retire which cost him championship and class lead.
In Cork Murphy finished second in the rally just behind last years champion Pat 0’Connell. As O’Connell was not registered for this years series, Murphy claimed maximum points. Another maximum score and Murphy is home with the Overall and class win. Liam Ryan has been very competitive with a fourth, a third a win and a second and is tucked in behind Murphy.
However when dropped scores are taken into account the pendulum swings in favour of Murphy. Former autocross champion Ger Lucey changed from his trusty Celica at the start of the season and is really getting it together, and now 3 points adrift of Murphy. Vincent Mc Aree was top of the charts going into Cork but a retirement there has pushed him back to 4th, just one point adrift of Lucey.
Liam Ryan Mitsubishi Evo 9 38
Owen Murphy Mitsubishi Evo 9 34
Ger Lucey Mitsubishi Evo 6 31
Vincent Mc Aree Evo 9 30
Class 9 (Juniors)
The Junior category is another very significant class, where the top two finishers are eligible for the prestigious Billy Coleman award with a prize fund of circa fifty thousand euro. The current Billy Coleman champion is Robert Barrable, who is starring at home and abroad in his Skoda Fabia S2000.
After 4 rounds in the 2011 Valvoline Forest rally Championship , Douglas Stewart leads with 42 points, six ahead of Derek Butler. Stewart has three maximum scores against one for Butler. With another maximum score Stewart is junior forestry champion for 2011. Like the Valvoline overall award and the other classes it ain’t over until the fat lady sings.
Douglas Stewart Peugeot 206 42
Derek Butler Honda Civic 36
Michael Walsh Peugeot 206 21.
2WD
In the 2WD class Fitzgerald has a commanding lead with 76 points, 19 ahead of Shane Mc Girr (Starlet). Third and fourth are claimed by junior drivers Douglas Stewart (206) and Derek Butler (Civic) on 56 and 49 respectively.
Frank Kelly (Escort) is fifth with 42 points thanks to two maximum scores in this class, and if he wins the 2WD section on Saturday and on the final round, he is the champion. If Kelly does not win this class on Saturday, the title fight between Fitzgerald and Mc Girr could go to the last round in Down.
OVERALL
Mitsubishi Evo drivers have dominated the championship since the start and Liam Ryan heads the points table with 72 points just eight points ahead of Owen Murphy. Murphy however has the considerable advantage of having better quality scores when it comes to dropping points. In this six round championship, it is the four best results that are counted and Murphy has three maximum scores. Another maximum score in Omagh will see Murphy claim his first rally championship. Even if Murphy finishes ahead of Ryan, he lifts the title.
With five points covering third place to sixth, there will be no shortage of competition for the last position on the podium. Heading the quartet is Vincent Mc Aree who was a strong contender for the overall award until his retirement on the last round, he has 55 points one point ahead of Ger Lucey. Paul Fitzgerald is the leading Escort driver with 51 points and he also leads the 2WD class (and Class 3), a point ahead of rapidly improving Stephen Wright, also Evo mounted.
Even more In Car!
Posted: September 16, 2011 9:12 AM
Paul Fitzgerald / Kaye Shanahan (Ford Escort 1.6 16V) SS7
Shane McGirr / Jackie Elliott (Toyota Starlet) SS8
Stephen Lane / Gill White (Toyota Corolla) SS6
Kevin O'Connor / Ger Conway (Citroen C2R2) SS8
O’Connell/Wiley star on return
Posted: August 17, 2011 7:28 PM
Last years Forestry Champion Pat O’Connell competed in his first rally of the year on last Saturday’s Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally, round 4 of the Valvoline Forest Rally Championship. Despite a ten month lay off, O’Connell (Evo 9) led from start to finish winning the longest rally of the year by a margin of 28seconds.Cork’s Owen Murphy (Evo9) was runner up and third place was claimed by Frank Kelly (Escort Mk2), just 3.2 seconds behind Murphy. Valvoline Championship leader Liam Ryan was fourth nine seconds behind Kelly.
Based in Mallow, the event consisited of 8 stages totaling 90km. In the morning there were three stages done twice- at Killavullen, Bweeng and Banteer. In the afternoon the challenging19km Streamhill Bridge stage in the Ballyhoura mountains was run twice. As ever the pre-rally consensus suggested the super smooth and fast Streamhill tests would decide the rally.
Despite overnight rain the stages were in good condition and blue skies greeted the 66 crews as they drove east to Killavullen. O’Connell, who did not register for this years series was fastest, a feat he repeated on the five remaining tests of the morning. The Cashel driver was 6 seconds ahead of Murphy after stage 2 and 16 seconds after 6. Murphy wanted to win the Jim Walsh rally-his home event afterall-but he also needed to gain maximum points for his championship bid. A puncture on stage 2 widened the gap to O’Connell and the Ballincollig driver prioritized the championship thereafter. He judged his pace perfectly to bag second overall and maximum championship points. However this strategy was almost undone by Frank Kelly who put in a fabulous time on the last Streamhill test to close within 3.2 seconds of Murphy. Kelly had his day long struggle with the Evo9 of Liam Ryan for third overall, but Ryan like Murphy had to keep the championship title in mind. Fifth was claimed by another Evo9, Ian Cochrane who was delighted with the result and the rally, despite being delayed by brakes in the morning.
In the 2WD section, Frank Kelly was in a league of his own and he was followed home by fellow Northerner Shane Mc Girr in the 2 litre Starlet RWD (7thO/A)and local man Paul Fitzgerald (11thO/A) in his Escort Mk2. Once again the junior category was very competitive. Championhip protagonists Douglas Stewart (206) and Derek Butler (Honda Civic) had a close battle all day but in the end they had to give way to the pace of Kevin O’ Connor in the Citroen C2R2.
Before the Cork rally Liam Ryan and Vincent Mc Aree were joint leaders on 54 points, eleven ahead of Owen Murphy with 43. Mc Aree retired on Saturday and now drops to third with 55 points. Ryan now has an outright lead of 72 points. Murphy is now second just eight behind and the Corkman has the considerable advantage of having three maximum scores. With two rounds remaining Murphy needs just one other maximum score to claim his first forest championship.
Report: O' Connell/Wiley Corker, Murphy/O'Brien take the points.
Posted: August 15, 2011 8:00 PM
Pat O' Connell came to the Jim Walsh Cork forest rally Mallow with one mission in mind to win it he had 6 fastest times and took a great victory. Owen Murphy had his own plan maximum championship points and if Pat wants to win leave him off so both drivers achieved their goals Owen secured a maximum score in the championship as Pat O' Connell was not registered for championship points.
It was a super day for rallying in Mallow the stages were in perfect condition and they were dry and extremely fast. Pat O'Connell / Mark Wiley Mitsubishi set down the mark on the First stage they were quickest however the margin was tight a mere .3 of a second up on Owen Murphy / James O' Brien in the Hankook Mitsubishi. Ian Cochrane held third and Martin Cairns was an impressive 4th sadly he was to roll on the next stage .Frank Kelly was already an impressive 6th in his Escort, John Reid last year's winner in a hired Mitsubishi was back in 14th and suffering engine trouble which was later to put him out, Championship leaders Liam Ryan was back in 7th and Vincent McAree was 9th.
After 3 stages and the first service O' Connell was in the lead by 6 seconds from Murphy and the hard charging Frank Kelly was 3rd a mere 7 behind Owen Murphy and enjoying the Cork stages to pieces. Next up was Cochrane, Ryan, Wright and McAree. Owen Murphy felt he had a slight slipping clutch on stages 1 and 2 but righted itself on 3 but he did get a puncture near the end of 3 which cost a few seconds.
Out for the next loop and 3 more fastest times for Pat o Connell , the margins were small but he now had 15 seconds on Murphy who said we are the safe side of flat out we are here for the championship and my main competitors are behind but not much!!!!! Frank Kelly was still an impressive third 13 seconds behind Owen Murphy and going fantastic in the dry grippy conditions that suited the Escort. Close behind was Ryan, McAree and Wright.
It was on to the big Stream Hill stage seven 19 km of flat out forest Murphy took a fastest time here but it was only 2 seconds up on O' Connell who had gear selector problems on the last corner but it was fixed in service and Kelly was still making the Escort fly on the stage in fact there was a bit of an moment that cost about 8 seconds but he was just flying however he slipped to 4th and Ryan was now back in third and trying to keep his championship hopes alive and well.
Championship Leader and No1 seed Vincent McAree got a puncture and the the flailing tyre took out the wiring loom and his day was over.
Stage 8 and O'Connell did an impressive 11.07 Owen Murphy said I will settle for second and did an 11.21 no one expected Frank Kelly to go completely nuts on the last stage and do 11.06 in his fantastic Mk2 Escort..
Pat O'Connell / Mark Wiley did what they came to do win the Cork Forest Rally they led from the start and were always in front. Owen Murphy / James O' Brien settled for second they said today is Pats day he won well we had to keep our eye on the championship we scored maximum points that's good enough for us. Third was the hugely impressive Frank Kelly / Liam Brennan in the Escort Frank said these are the best stages ever, it was a legendary drive.Liam Ryan still leads the championship but 4th today 3rd in the points is not what he was thinking of after a win on the last round.
Ballyhae driver Paul Fitzgerald / Kaye Shanahan finished an impressive 11th overall and class winners. Local driver Jimmy Deane retired but junior driver Derek Butler was 3rd in class after a spirited drive.
1st in the junior section of the rally was the hugely impressive Kevin O Connor in the C2R2.
Results
Posted: August 15, 2011 7:11 PM
1 Pat O’Connell/Mark Wiley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 51m 12s,
2 Owen Murphy/James O’Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 51m 40s,
3 Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan (Ford Escort MkII) 51m 43s,
4 Liam Ryan/Aidan Bourke (Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 51m 52s,
5 Ian Cochrane/Ray Fitzpatrick (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 52m 20s,
6 Stephen Wright/Suzanne Wright (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) 52m 30s,
7 Shane McGirr/Jackie Elliott (Toyota Starlet RWD) 53m 06s,
8 Enda McNulty/Paul Sheridan (Subaru Impreza WRX) 53m 23s,
9 Gerard Lucey/James Lucey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 Gp N) 53m 37s,
10 Patsy Keenan/Martin Brady (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 54m 23s.
Class winners:
Joe Shinnors Jnr/Derry Healy (Nova),
Peter Jennings/J P Stuart (Peugeot 205),
Paul Fitzgerald/Kaye Shanahan (Escort),
Ray Benskin/Peadar Walsh (Escort),
Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan,
Stephen Wright/Suzanne Wright,
Enda McNulty/Paul Sheridan,
Owen Murphy/James O’Brien.
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Results by irallyresults.com | Cork Motor Club
Preview
Posted: August 9, 2011 11:52 AM
Next Saturdays rally promises to be one of the best forestry rally's of the year the stages are in excellent condition and all is in place for the 2011 Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally Mallow on Saturday the 13th of August.
All the big guns of the forestry championship are entered for this one and one of the favourites must be the Ballincollig driver Owen Murphy with fellow Cork Motor Club co-driver James O' Brien on the notes this combination have already won the first two rounds of the Valvoline Forest Championship and led round three only for a stone to burst the fan and side line them on the last round. The Hankook Mitsubishi Evo 9 is a potent car and after being beaten last year by 300th of a second Owen will be all out for the win.
The main challenge is expected to come from the joint championship leaders Vincent McAree and Liam Ryan also in similar Mitsubishi Evo 9 models also Evo mounted is Ian Cocrane a man who has shown good pace but just needs to up it slightly to take the win, others out there trying hard will be Ger Lucey in the older Evo 8 model. One of the surprises of the event may be Martin Cairns who is on form after a recent 3rd on the Swansea Bay Rally the powerful Subaru WRC has the potential. Also making a return is Current Forestry Champion Pat O'Connell in another Evo9 Pat was one of the stars of this event last year with only a hand full of seconds separating the top 3 all day .
If its two wheel drive Escorts with sideways action you want some of the best are here in Mallow next Saturday , Frank Kelly will be the man to beat in his immaculate Esccort Mk2 and he will be challenged by the local crews like Paul Fitzgerald (Ballyhae) who leads the two wheel drive class in the Valvoline Forest Championship also giving it plenty sideways action will be one of the crowd favourites Mallow man Jimmy Deane in the yellow and black Escort also in the 2 wheel drive cars expect sideways stuff from James Coleman, Aidan Caldwell and Shane McGirr (Starlet), in the junior section keep an eye out for local man Derek Butler in the Civic who will be going hard as usual he will be battling with championship junior class leader Douglas Stewart in the Peugeot.Back from Australia for a wedding are Tom Murphy (Milstreet) and Donie Keane (Kanturk) both are waiting round for the Rally and doing it in a Peugeot 205 and Escort respectively the rally bug never leaves you!!!!!!!!!.
On Friday evening at 9 o clock there is a ceremonial Start in the main street Mallow it's a chance to see the top crews and the local crews and their cars and get a flavour of the excitement of Irish Rallying.
The Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally Mallow is a big days rallying the first car enters the first stage at 9 o clock and the cars are not expected back at the finish ramp in Mallows Main Street untill 6.30 on Saturday evening. Almost 90 km over 8 special stages but the sting in the tail will be the two runs over stage 7&8 Stream hill Bridge each run will be 19 km so it should have a big bearing on the result.
Stage 1 & 4 : Peter's Hill. Located south of Killavullen Village. Stage lenght: 9.0km. Stage sponsor: Denis J Downey Transport
Stage 2&5: Bweeng. Located north of Bweeng Village: Stage lenght: 8.0km. Stage sponsor: McFarm Supplies Bweeng
Stage 3&6 Mount Hilary. Located south of Banteer Village. Stage lenght 8.0km. Stage sponsor: Eamonn Tarrant Skoda Banteer.
Stage 7&8 Streamhill Bridge. Located north of Doneraile/east of Ballyhay. Stage lenght 19.0km. Stage sponsor: Mallow Motor Factors.
Serivice: Quartertown Industrial Estate Mallow
Mechanical Scrutiny: Keary's Toyota Garage Limerick Rd Mallow
Trailer Park: Cork County Council Car Park Anabella Mallow
Parc Ferme: Dairygold Staff Car Park. Park Rd Mallow.
Provisional Top 10
Posted: August 9, 2011 10:31 AM
- Vincent Mc Aree Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9
- Liam Ryan Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9
- Owen Murphy Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9
- Pat O’Connell Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9
- Ian Cochrane Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9
- Martin Kerins Subaru Impreza WRC
- Enda Mc Nulty Subaru Impreza Gp N
- Stephen Wright Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6
- Ger Lucey Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8
- Frank Kelly Ford Escort Mk2.
EXCITEMENT BUILDS IN THE VALVOLINE CHAMPIONSHIP
Posted: August 9, 2011 10:30 AM
All roads lead to Mallow for next Saturday’s Jim Walsh Cork Forestry Rally, round four of the 2011 Valvoline Forest Rally Championship. After three exciting rallies, the Championship is now after its summer break and entering the business end of the season.
With fourteen points covering the top five drivers, this Valvoline championship is finely poised and it could be claimed by any of the leading drivers.
After winning the last round in the Moonraker rally, Cashel driver Liam Ryan shares the top of the table with Vincent Mc Aree on 54 points, eleven ahead of Cork’s Owen Murphy. Murphy was victor on the first two rounds and was top of the leaderboard going into the Moonraker. An overheating engine forced the Ballincollig to retire, but dropped scores will come into play in this championship and Murphy will be in a much stronger position to challenge. Cork drivers also assume fourth and fifth places, with Ger Lucey from Ballyvourney just two points adrift of Murphy and one ahead of Ballyhea’s Paul Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald is also leading 2WD category where his Escort is nineteen points ahead of the junior driver Douglas Stewart at the wheel of a Peugeot 206. Toyota twins Shane Mc Girr and Mick Cuddihy are just behind Stewart in their powerful tail sliding Starlets. Fifth in the standing is claimed by Derek Butler who is four points behind Cuddihy. Butler is also a junior driver and the Ballyclough man will be anxious to impress the home crowd in his Honda Civic.
This weekend’s rally is hosted as usual by the Cork MC and the Clerk of the Course is Paul Casey who returns after running a very successful rally last year. Casey and his team have laid on a course consisting of 8 stages totaling 90km. In the morning there are three stages in Peter’s Hill, Bweeng and Mount Hilary, which are repeated. In the afternoon the challenging19km Streamhill Bridge stage in the Ballyhoura mountains will be run twice. Rally headquarters is in the Roundabout Inn and service at Quartertown Industrial Estate Mallow.
Rally Launched
Posted: July 26, 2011 11:02 AM
Mallow Town Council Members Richard Dempsey, Dan Joe Fitzgerald (Mayor of Mallow), Willie Regan,
Clerk of the Course Paul Casey, Tommy Sheehan, Jerry Mulally
Photo: Ger Leahy
Friday the 22nd of July saw the Launch of the Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally Mallow 2011 in the main street Mallow Co Cork. A large crowd attended and on hand were representatives of the sponsors the umbrella group of (Mallow Town Council, Mallow Chamber and Blackwater Tourism) ably led by Mallow Lord Mayor Dan Joe Fitzgerald.
Also on hand were representatives of the Cork Motor Club including Clerk of the Course Paul Casey and the winner of the first two rounds of the championship Owen Murphy ,also there were Mallow drivers Paul Fitzgerald and Jimmy Deane in their Escorts .
Mayor Dan Joe Fitzgerald said he was delighted on behalf of Mallow Town Council in conjunction with Mallow Chamber and Blackwater Valley Tourism to be sponsors of the Cork Forest Rally which is having its headquarters in Mallow. He said as Mayor of Mallow town, I am delighted that this event will have its base here in Mallow and I am sure it will bring a large crowd to the town .
Clerk of the course Paul Casey said we have been working hard on this event for quite a while and hope it lives up to its name as one of the best rounds in the Forest Championship , Thanks to the Mallow Town Council Chamber and Blackwater Tourism for backing this event . Paul also said thanks to his team of volunteers from Cork Motor Club and beyond who make this event possible. Paul also said a special thanks to the Mayor and all the councillors who took the time to attend the launch which looks to be a big success here this evening.
Owen Murphy ( Hankook Mitsubishi Evo 9 driver ) said last year I was pipped at the post, being beaten by the 300th of a second was sickening but it was a great days sport and the stages were superb just cannot wait for the two runs of Stream Hill the 19 km stages should be great .There will be stiff competition and any one of the top 6 or 8 could win this rally.
Local drivers like Paul Fitzgerald who is leading the two wheel drive section of the Valvoline Forest Championship and Jimmy Deane are sure to put up a great show of sideways motorsport in their Escorts.
Things are looking good entry wise and this Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally Mallow 2011 on the 13th of August is shaping up to be a great event. For the best in Irish rallying come to Mallow on the 13th of August and lets kick up some dust Rally HQ for the weekend is The Roundabout Inn Hotel Mallow.
Message from the Lord Mayor of Mallow
Posted: July 16, 2011 10:57 PM
"We the Mallow Town Council in conjunction with Mallow Chamber and Blackwater Valley Tourism
are very pleased to be sponsors of the Cork Forest Rally which is having its headquarters in Mallow.
As Mayor of Mallow town, I am delighted that this event will have its base in Mallow town and I look
forward to the launch and programme of events.
Wishing you every success with this year’s rally.
Yours sincerely
Dan Joe Fitzgerald MCC MTC"
Rally Launch - (Fri) 22 Jul 11
Posted: July 13, 2011 9:21 PM
The official launch of the event will take place in the Centre of Mallow Town on the main street on Friday the 22nd of July at 7.30 pm, all are welcome to come along and view some of the championship leading contenders and their cars.
Press Release 1 - Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally Mallow
Posted: July 12, 2011 11:28 AM
Cork Motor Club have announced preliminary details for the up coming Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally Mallow on the 13th of August, in these tough times it all about bringing tourism to an area and the Mallow Town Council ,Chamber of Commerce & Blackwater Tourism have come on board as the main sponsors of the event. Cork Motor Club have worked hard over the years to make this event one of the best rounds in the Valvoline Forest Championship, this year all the stops have been pulled out and the competitors are getting 90km of stage miles in a rally that will test man and machine to the limit.
The rally will consist of 8 stages, 3 stages run twice and then on to the 19km Streamhill Bridge stage for 2 runs, there is a lot of interest in this event already and all the regular championship contenders are expected to take part.Regulations will be on line soon and the official launch of the event will take place in the next few weeks.
More News soon.!
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