West Cork Rally - 17-18 Mar 12

Full TV Program: Quality Hotels West Cork Rally 2012 - Special Stage Rally Review

Posted: January 26, 2013 12:59 PM

Video Clips

Posted: March 19, 2012 12:04 PM

Kevin O'Connor - Sweet Success in West Cork!

Posted: March 19, 2012 11:13 AM

After a bitterly disappointing first day, which seen the Delta Karting C2 Max plagued by an electrical fault and with the crew working hard to rectify the problem, which turned out to be a faulty sensor... A big thank you to Liam, Steven, Danny, Jack, Gary and John Snr for all their help throughout the event without them Kevin wouldn't have made it to the finish!

Sunday Morning started bright with Kevin going fastest by 2 seconds and this was the beginning of a massive charge by the young Askeaton driver who sat in 3rd, 39 seconds off the lead. The second loop of stages saw the retirement of Citroen Rally Leader Joe McGonigle as his Citroen halted on Special Stage 12.

This promoted Kevin to 2nd and and he was now 13 seconds behind Mayo's David Carney. The two drivers pushed their Citroen C2's to the limit! exchanging fastest times in the R2 category. The West Cork crowds were left with a thrilling finish with only 5.4 seconds seperating Kevin from victory, on SS15 Kevin pulled out all the stops and punched an incredible time of 5th Fastest Overall in the Main Rally and take 15 seconds out of David, promoting him to 1st!

This was to be the last stage of the event as SS16 was cancelled. Kevin was overjoyed at the finish ramp,
" When we solved the misfire, I tried really hard from the word go and fair play to David he pushed us right to the limit all day, I just want to thank all our sponsors... Delta Karting, Rx Racing, SVS Incars, The Windscreen Company, Farrell Tyres, Treaty Plant Hire, Liam Mulcaire Agri Hire, McCabe Motors and DM Motor Factors, without them I wouldn't have made it here. Also thanks to my Co-pilot Shane and the lads in service, they were brilliant all weekend."

O’Connor Motorsport will be back in action on the 1st of April as brother John will compete on the Kerry Stages Junior Rally which is a round of the Irish National Rally Championship.

O CONNOR CLAIMS MAIDEN CITROEN RACING TROPHY VICTORY

Posted: March 19, 2012 11:11 AM

Round one of the Citroen Racing Trophy Ireland 2012, and the traditional West Cork Rally on St. Patrick’s weekend presented the C2 R2 Max equipped crews with 16 fast and flowing special stages. Seven C2 runners lined up for the Saturday start, and Dubliner Peter Barrable set the initial pace, with former outright winning co-driver Dermot O’Gorman calling the pace-notes. Joint second fastest were Kevin O’Connor in the ex Marty McCormack C2 Max and Joe McGonigle, 6 seconds behind, with David Carney next up. Returning to the series Cashel man Paul Manton was next in a Max that he has purchased from last year’s champion Scott McElhinney, whilst Steve Wood and Andrew Hockridge brought their machines across the Irish sea to be sixth and seventh fastest respectively.

Indeed Barrable was holding the lead, a lead that was stretched slightly to ten seconds after four stages. Joe McGonigle was the man putting up the closest challenge, the Donegal driver in great form and he was about to take the CRT Ireland lead, as Peter Barrable’s rally ended abruptly on stage 5. After getting out of sequence on a fifth gear section they crashed sideways into a bank. Both driver and co-driver being taken to hospital for check up’s, after the heavy knock.

Co-driver Dermot O’Gorman suffered two cracked ribs, but was impressed with the strength of the car after such an impact on his side. At this stage David Carney lay second, but over 30 seconds behind the flying McGonigle. David’s plight however wasn’t helped by a slight misfire, which was eventually traced to a crack in the coil pack later in the day. Behind him Kevin O’Connor too had a misfire due to a faulty crank sensor, which was replaced after stage 6. Steve Wood and Paul Manton were next but Andrew Hockridge, returning after a two year absence was suffering from an electrical problem, traced to a wiring loom which was rubbing on the exhaust. It simply wasn’t going to be his rally, as overnight co-driver Darren Garrod took ill, and they pulled out after a couple of stages on day two.

Ending day one’s eight stages in the lead however were a jubilant Joe McGonigle and Ciaran Geaney, 16 seconds ahead of David Carney and Ray Fitzpatrick who now had a healthy C2, and set fastest C2 times on the day’s final two tests. Kevin O’Connor and Shane Buckley were 28 seconds behind David, and second fastest on these two stages. Welshman Steve Wood was being very consistent all day, and he had Donegal’s Jonny Baird calling the pace-notes. Paul Manton and Mark Wiley ended the day fifth, and it was all set for some big battles on day two of this fabulous rally.

For Joe McGonigle it was a matter of trying to hold onto that lead, which started the day at 16 seconds, and grew to 20 seconds after the opening stage of the day, and it grew to nearly 23 seconds after stage 10, shrinking to 15 after stage 11. However Joe’s dreams of a first CRT Ireland victory literally ground to a halt on the next stage, when a front wheel sheared its studs, and the Muff driver’s impressive run was over.

David Carney was on a charge, closing up on stage 11, the Ballinscarthy test, and following stage 12 he inherited a 13 second lead. However Kevin O’Connor was closing up after a succession of fastest C2 times. With four stages to go it was going to be a classic fight to the finish! Paul Manton was very much enjoying his C2 Max, having driven the R2 car in the past and would finish fourth, after stiffening up the car as he gradually got more into the groove. Steve Wood was also having his car run by the same team, and he claimed a career best in third, also scooping 1000€. The big battle for the 3000€ first prize however was really on, and the stage times were now well inside the top ten for the fired up C2 pair.

With two stages to go Carney’s lead shrunk to 5 seconds, and the Mayo driver was a little worried about a gear selection problem. Sure enough Kevin O’Connor blasted through the next test, seventh fastest overall, taking 13 seconds from Carney, after a brave tyre choice, selecting a harder compound Pirelli slick. The Limerick lad then blasted through the next stage to claim his first Citroen Racing Trophy victory, with co-driver Killarney’s Shane Buckley sharing the honours. David Carney’s hard fought second place also brought an 1800€ reward, and a good haul of championship points.

So another action packed season has started in the Citroen Racing Trophy Ireland, with the next round the high profile IRC Circuit of Ireland Rally at Easter. To keep up to date check www.citroentrophy.com for more details.

Photos

Posted: March 19, 2012 10:41 AM

crspics.com - Counihan Rallysport Pictures
M. Schayer Rally Photography (rallyphoto.biz)
Rally Mad Motorsport Photography

Results

Posted: March 19, 2012 10:34 AM

1 Daragh O’Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC) 121m 01s,
2 John Dalton/Gwynfor Jones (Darrian T90 GTR) 125m 23s,
3 Damien McCarthy/Eamon Hayes (Honda Civic 1.6) 127m 28s,
4 Alan Ring/James O’Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 127m 36s,
5 John Cope/Alistair Wyllie (Subaru Impreza WRC) 128m 15s,
6 John Hendy/Alan Whyte (Toyota Corolla 2.0 RWD) 129m 02s,
7 Kevin O’Donoghue/Johnny Hickey (Ford Escort MK II) 129m 53s,
8 Gwyn Thomas/Anthony O’Conaill (Ford Puma 4x4) 132m 06s,
9 Sean O’Donovan/Harold Atkinson (Subaru Impreza N9 Gp N) 132m 08s,
10 Tommy Mason/Damien Fleming (Ford Escort) 132m 10s.

Leaders After:
SS1-16 Daragh O'Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)

SS1 Daragh O'Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS2 Daragh O'Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS3 Daragh O'Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS4 Daragh O'Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS5 Daragh O'Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS6 John Dalton/Gwynfor Jones (Darrian T90 GTR)
SS7 Daragh O'Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS8 John Dalton/Gwynfor Jones (Darrian T90 GTR)
SS9 Daragh O'Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS10 Daragh O'Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS11 John Dalton/Gwynfor Jones (Darrian T90 GTR)
SS12 Daragh O'Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS13 Daragh O'Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS14 Daragh O'Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS15 Daragh O'Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS16 Daragh O'Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC)

results.westcorkrally.com
Rallynews (by Brian & Liz Patterson)

Delta Karting teams up with O'Connor Motorsport (+Audio: Pre West Cork Interview with Kevin O'Connor)

Posted: March 16, 2012 10:33 AM

Limerick and Ireland's up and coming young motorsport driver Kevin O' Connor is pleased to announce that Delta-Karting in Limerick city, part of the formula Karting group, has joined the O'Connor Motorsport team as an associate sponsor for the 2012 rallying season. Kevin brought his Citroen C2 Max to the indoor karting track for some testing before round 1 of the Citroen Racing Trophy Ireland at the West Cork Rally on St. Patrick's weekend.

While taking a break from testing Kevin told us that
"I love coming here to keep my fitness up as I can choose from one of two tracks, the upstairs track is tight and twisty or drive the ground floor track which is fast and flowing. I started my motorsport in Karting and found it very helpful in my motorsport career as I learned all about car control, tyres and all the basic motorsport skills in a controlled environment of a Karting track. I would urge any young person who would like to get involved in Motorsport to go to the Formula Karting centre and start from there."

One of the championships Kevin will be part of in 2012 is the Citroen Racing Trophy Ireland. Thanks to Citroen Racing, Total, Pirelli and Charles Hurst the championship is full steam ahead for 2012. The Citroen Racing Trophy is continuing to provide a generous prize fund and support for drivers in 2012, with €40,000 available to the winners. Not only that but we have a new prize for the top junior driver aged 23 years and under at the end of the season. They will be eligible for a €10,000 Citroen Racing parts voucher and tyre support from Pirelli to compete on the Rally Du Var in France at the end of the year.

Watching O'Connor Motorsport testing at the Delta Karting was general manger PJ Kiely.
"Delta Karting are delighted to be associated with the O'Connor Motorsport Team for the 2012 rallying season as both drivers Kevin and Johnny started out in Karting. We at Delta-Karting feel we can help more young drivers to learn their trade of racing here before they head out onto the rally stages. Kevin uses the centre which was designed by a Rally driver, to help stay sharp and keep his fitness levels up before a rallying event".

Some interesting spectators watching Kevin drive his Citroen C2R2 at Delta-Karting was Sligo's Tommy Mullen along with Radio & Television sports presenter John Kenny. Tommy and John will be supporting the O'Connor Motorsport team with PR, Radio/TV promotions in 2012.

The O'Connor Motorsport team will start their quest to win both the Citroen Racing Trophy Championship and the Motorsport Ireland Junior Championship at the West Cork Rally on St. Patrick's weekend.

For all the rallying supporters heading down to watch the West Cork Rally keep an eye out for Kevin pedaling in the white Citroen C2 Max supported by Rx Racing, the Windscreen Company, SVS Incar Cameras, Delta-Karting and DM Motor Factors.

Trevor Payne Of West Limerick 102 talks to Kevin O'Connor before the West Cork

Marshal Meeting Points

Posted: March 12, 2012 11:48 AM

Available at:

• West Cork Rally

Seeded Entry List

Posted: March 9, 2012 8:28 AM

1 Daragh O'Riordan/Tony McDaid (Subaru Impreza WRC S12) [8]
2 Colm Murphy/Don Montgomery (Subaru Impreza N12) [4]
3 Kevin Kelleher/Gerard Seaman (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
4 Alan Ring/James O'Brien (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
5 John Dalton/Gwynfor Jones (Darrian T90GTR) [14]
6 James Stafford/Philamena Begly (Darrian T90GTR) [14]
7 Damien McCarthy/Eamon Hayes (Honda Civic) [11]
8 Peter Lloyd/Martin Brady (Subaru Impreza WRC S14) [8]
9 John Cope/Alistair Wyllie (Subaru Impreza WRC ) [15]
10 Leonard Downey/Mark Murphy (Ford Escort MKII) [13]
11 Brian O'Keeffe/Donnacha O'Callaghan (Subaru Impreza N11) [4]
12 Kevin O Donoghue/Joe O Leary (Ford Escort MKII) [14]
14 Fergus O'Meara/Diarmuid Lynch (Ford Escort MKII) [14]
15 John Hendy/Alan Whyte (Toyota Corolla 2.0 RWD) [13]
16 Liam Howlett/Leo Tector (Ford Escort MKII) [13]
17 Wesley Patterson/Martin McGarrity (Ford Escort RS 1800) [13]
18 Eoghan Calnan/Conor Calnan (Ford Escort MKII) [13]
19 Vincent O'Shea/Brian Hickey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
20 Gwyn Thomas/Anthony O'Conaill (Ford Puma 4WD) [15]
21 John Buttimer/Declan Buttimer (Subaru Impreza WRX) [8]
22 John Hickey/Maul Aprati (Fubaru Fubaru) [15]
23 Alan Treacy/Bob Fitzgearld (Toyota Corolla) [13]
24 John Stafford/Richie Cleary (Darrian T90) [13]
25 Diarmuid Keohane/Peter Keohane (Ford Escort) [13]
26 Ed Murphy/John McCarthy (Ford Escort) [13]
27 Mick Walsh/Damien Walsh (Ford Escort) [14]
28 Mark Dolphin/Martin O'Brien (Ford Escort) [13]
29 Noel Brady/Paul Davis (Ford Escort) [13]
30 Johnny Curran/Mikey Walsh (Ford Escort) [13]
31 Philip Cross/Brian Doherty (Mitsubishi Lancer evo) [4]
32 Tommy Mason/Damien Fleming (Ford Escort) [13]
33 Ray O'Sullivan/Gavin Sheehan (Ford Escort) [12]
34 Ian Caddy/Alan Thomas (Ford Escort) [14]
35 Cal McCarthy/Eamonn Dullea (Honda Civic) [11]
36 David Guest/Denis O'Mahony (Honda Civic) [13]
37 Sean Ryan/Sean Croke (Peugeot 205) [13]
38 Stephen Carey/Breda O'Driscoll (Honda Civic) [3]
39 Kevin O'Connor/Shane Buckley (Citroen C2 Max) [6]
40 Andrew Hockridge/Darren Garrod (Citroen C2 Max) [6]
41 Paul Manton/Mark Wiely (Citroen C2 Max) [6]
42 David Carney/Ray Fitzpatrick (Citroen C2R2) [6]
43 Joseph McGonigle/Ciaran Geaney (Citroen C2R2) [6]
44 Peter Barrable/Dermot O Gorman (Citroen C2 Max) [6]
45 Joe Shrimpton/Too Beannounced (Citroen C2R2) [6]
46 Steve Wood/Johnny Baird (Citroen C2 Max) [6]
47 Luke McCarthy/Pakie McCarthy (Honda Civic) [11]
48 Jason O'Mahony/Jonathan O'Mahony (Honda Civic) [11]
49 Eamon O'Connell/Mark Linehan (Honda Civic) [11]
50 Paul Browne/Jenna Browne (Honda Civic) [11]
51 Owen Murphy/Paul Williams (Talbot Sunbeam) [11]
52 Colm Noonan/Stephen Quinn (Peugeot 306) [7]
53 Andy Horgan/Kevin Horgan (Vauxhall Chevette) [13]
54 Steve Roberts/Adrian Hayes (Ford Escort) [12]
55 Thomas White/Thomas White Jnr (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [4]
56 Ian Godney/Bernard McSweeney (Renault Clio) [13]
57 Gerard O'Connell/Niall O'Sullivan (Ford Escort) [12]
58 William Kenneally/Finbarr Fogarty (Ford Escort) [11]
59 Oliver Stanley/Edmond Brennan (Ford Focus) [13]
60 Paul Cloke/Aidan Kent (Proton Satria) [11]
61 Wesley Daly/Finbarr Quirke (Ford Escort) [11]
62 Mick Cremin/Derek Tobin (Mitsubishi Evo 5) [15]
63 Graham Kelly/Fergal Kelly (Ford Escort) [13]
64 Walter Dick/Mark O Sullivan (Ford Escort) [13]
65 Paul Scannell/Mossy Griffin (Ford Escort) [11]
66 Victor Beamish/Susan Beamish (Vauxhall Nova) [10]
67 David Jennings/Geraldine Jennings (Ford Escort) [10]
68 Ciaran Casey/Steven Clarke (Talbot Sunbeam) [10]
69 Kieran Hayes/Peter Joyce (Peugeot 205 GTI) [10]
70 Patrick Calnan/Trevor McCarthy (Peugeot 106) [6]
71 Jason Roycroft/Nicole O'Shea (Honda Civic) [2]
72 Colum Browne/Laurence McGrath (Honda Civic) [2]
73 Adam Platt/Alan O'Flynn (Ford Escort) [7]
74 John Corrigan/Alan Hartigan (Ford Focus) [7]
75 Paul Bruton/Thomas Bruton (Honda Civic) [11]
76 Roland Doherty/P J O'Dowd (Opel Corsa) [9]
77 Peter Desmond/William Lynch (Vauxhall Nova) [9]
78 Colin Byrne/Brian Quinlan (Ford Puma) [9]
79 Kenny O'Brien/Cian Corbett (Vauxhall Nova) [9]
80 Emmet Cronin/Conor McCarthy (Ford Escort) [9]
81 Adrian O'Driscoll/Conor Hanlon (Ford Escort) [13]
82 Greg McCarthy/Mark Gordan (Subaru Imprezza ) [8]
83 Michael Forde/Simon Duggan (Talbot Sunbeam) [11]
84 Dan kelleher/Aileen Shanahan (Ford Escort) [13]
85 Thomas McDonagh/Ann Other (Ford Escort) [11]
86 Michael Murphy/Pat Cashman (Toyota Corolla) [11]
87 Jerry O'Mahony/Willie Buchonan (Ford Escort) [10]
88 Kevin Dolphin/Maul Aprati (Ford Puma) [6]
89 Colin Rowe/David Booty (Fiat 131 Sport) [13]
90 Gavin Rogers/Georgina Clarke (Ford Escort) [13]
91 Tony Calnan/Aidan Calnan (Subaru Imprezza ) [8]
92 Liam Dennehy/John Lynch (Subaru Impreza) [15]
93 Joe Nacey/Ritchie Staford (Honda Civic) [3]
94 Brian O'Mahony/Michelle Gallwey (Honda Civic) [2]
95 Sean O'Carroll/Ian Stanley (Ford Escort) [13]
96 Gearoid Beamish/Fearghal Beamish (Ford Escort) [10]
97 Andrew Mahon/Andrew O'Donoghue (Ford Escort) [11]
98 Ed Twomey/Shane McSweeney (Honda Civic) [2]
99 Vincent McSweeney/Michael Kearney (Honda Civic) [11]
100 James Cunningham/Joe Fitzgibbon (Toyota Corolla) [11]
101 Fergal Heney/Paul Murphy (Toyota Corolla) [11]
102 Anthony Whelton/Noel Crowley (Ford Escort) [11]
103 David Duggan/Sean O'Crowley (Toyota Corolla) [11]
104 Colm Forde/Jonathon Trill (Peugeot 206) [6]
105 Shane Stanley/Liam Fouhy (Honda Civic) [9]
106 Noel O'Mahony/Cliff Desmond (Toyota Starlet) [9]
107 Gerard McCarthy/David McCarthy (Ford Escort) [9]
108 Jason O Brien/Cathal Murphy (Peugeot 206) [6]
109 Shay Byrne/John Delaney (Talbot Sunbeam) [10]
110 Conor Nash/David Kearney (Ford Escort) [11]
111 Timmy Ahern/Joanne Murphy (Honda Civic) [11]
112 Edward Hallahan/Barry Murphy (Ford Escort) [10]
113 Alan Clarke/James Kingston (Vauxhall Nova) [10]
114 Paul O'Connell/Bernard Geoghegan (Honda Civic) []
115 Michael Nolan/Jimmy Kiely (Honda Civic) [11]
116 Donal Dinneen/Kieran O'Regan (Peugeot 205 GTI) [10]
117 Patrick O'Regan/William Buttimer (Honda Civic) [11]
118 Conor Moore/Noel Kendrick (Honda Civic) [11]
119 David McAuley/Damien Mongey (Peugeot 205 GTI) [10]
120 Andrew Beamish/Ella Ryan (Vauxhall Nova) [10]
121 Anthony Madigan/Timmy Gleeson (Peugeot 106) [11]
122 Allyn Jennings/Henry Jennings (Opel Corsa) [9]
123 Seamus O'Donovan/Dylan Coffey (Suzuki Swift) [9]
124 Sean Maher/Fiona Hickey (Ford Escort) [10]
125 Andrew Nash/Emmet Cleary (Honda Civic) [2]
126 Bobby Hennessy/Sarah Jane Stamp (Honda Civic) [11]
127 Martin Horgan/Paul McGlinchey (Honda Civic) [11]
128 Timmy J Howard/Denis John Howard (Opel Corsa) [9]
129 Paul O'Donovan/Mark Hurley (Ford Escort) [10]
130 John O'Sullivan/Denny O'Riordan (Toyota Corolla) [11]
131 Simon Cummins/Sean Furlong (Vauxhall Nova) [10]
132 John Murphy/Sac O Spuds (Honda Civic) [2]
133 Sean White/Jill White (Honda Civic) [11]
134 Stephen O'Shea/Pat O'Mahony (Toyota Starlet) [11]
135 Paul Dullea/Sean O'Regan (Honda Civic) [11]
136 Philip Jennings/Jonathan Jennings (Ford Ka) [9]
137 Eoin O'Sullivan/Mark McCarthy (Toyota Twincam) [11]
138 Seamus Ronan/Aoife Fitzpatrick (Honda Civic) [11]
139 Diarmuid O'Crowley/Patrick Hourihan (Vauxhall Nova) [9]
140 Tony Hurley/Leslie Wolfe (Peugeot 106) [10]

Historics
H1 David Cremin/Johnny O'Shea (Ford Escort Mk 1) [17F]
H2 Mal Stuart/Ann Other (Talbot Sunbeam) []
H3 John Hackett/Michael Hackett (Austin Mini) [17E]
H4 Alan Courtney/Paul Goutar (Porsche 928) [17R]
H5 Tim Lenihan/Kieran Crowley (Ford Escort ) [17E]
H6 Peadar Walsh/Grace Walsh (Ford Cortina Mk 1) [17B]
H7 Pat McDonagh/Sac O Spuds (Ford Cortina) [17B]

Juniors
J1 Darren Young/Kenneth Quirke (Honda Civic) [18]
J2 Derek Butler/Olivia McCarthy (Honda Civic) [18]
J3 Padraig McCarthy/Eoghan McCarthy (Honda Civic) [18]
J4 Darren Loftus/David Beamish (Honda Civic) [18]
J5 Jonathan Delaney/Jonny Carroll (Honda Civic) [18]
J6 Leon Galvin/Ger Foley (Ford Escort) [18]
J7 Colin Roche/Sarah Whelan (Toyota Starlet) [18]
J8 Thomas Creedon/Eamonn Creedon (Ford Ka) [18]
J9 James Bradley/Maria Kehoe (Honda Civic) [18]
J10 Cathal McCarthy/Teresa McCarthy (Toyota Corolla) [18]
J11 Andrew Lehane/Sac O Spuds (Honda Civic) [18]
J12 Declan Murphy/Darren Noonan (Honda Civic) [18]
J14 Padraig Deasy/Ann Other (Nissan Sunny) [18]
J15 Martin Crowley/Martin Barry (Suzuki Swift) [18]

Quality Hotels West Cork Rally 2012 Press Release 3

Posted: March 1, 2012 3:39 PM

With less than three weeks to go before the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally, over 110 entries have been received. Those who have confirmed their intention to compete in this, the 34th event, include Daragh O'Riordan who was agonisingly close to winning last year as well as Peter Lloyd, John Cope, John Dalton, Kevin Kelleher, Alan Ring and Colm Murphy. The closing date for receipt of entries has been extended to 8th March.

In the Citroen Racing Trophy 2012 of which the event is the first round, entries have been received to date from Andrew Hockridge, Steve Wood, David Carney and Joe McGonigle with more expected in the next few days. The Quality Hotels West Cork Rally is also the first round of the Windscreen Company Southern 4 Rally Championship. There is also a Road Rally class in this year?s event which should attract some entries from the UK. The classic Group B cars in the shape of Slowly Sideways will also be back in Clonakilty in 2012 after their successful appearances in the last three years.

An added attraction for spectators should be the running of the town stage twice (as Stage 6 & 8) on the Saturday evening.

More Details:

• West Cork Rally
• Cork Motor Club

Excitement Builds Towards Citroen Racing Trophy Ireland 2012!

Posted: February 15, 2012 4:34 PM

The excitement is building towards the first round of this season’s Citroen Racing Trophy, which kicks off in West Cork on St. Patrick’s weekend. At present it looks like ten crews are set to take the start line with their Pirelli shod Citroen C2’s, but series co-ordinator Raymond Moore is very much trying to encourage event more crews to compete.
“I have a complete list here of left and right hand drive cars for sale and for hire and can advise anyone on the cars. Also I know that trade ins can be taken on some vehicles, and we have a company that can underwrite rally cars, which may make life easier for competitors looking to trade in and trade up to a C2. I would love to really see as many cars out as possible. For sure it looks like we will have ten for West Cork which is excellent, but the more the merrier, and definitely I would like to see more newcomers into the Trophy.”

The full regulations for the CRT Ireland series have been ratified by Motorsport Ireland and are now published on the website www.citroenracingtrophy.com.
An interesting addition for this season is a new points system that includes points for fastest stage times, similar to the WRC Academy system.
“We have introduced this to encourage more competition and keep the championship race alive. I also feel that for the driver who perhaps sets the pace, but retires near the finish of an International for example, with the stage time points, at least he or she may be able to take some worthwhile points home, and keep them in the championship hunt. It will be interesting to see how the drivers respond to the added incentive!”

Interesting contenders this season include Peter Barrable. The Dubliner showed some great promise last season, with increased speed as the year progressed, and could be a real threat for the title this season. Cork’s Kieran Daly is completing a bare shell rebuild on his C2 Max, including trimming off any excess weight, and the Donal Healy prepared car is going to be totally fresh for West Cork. David Carney completed a successful trip to the Galway International Rally with 15th overall and second in the 1600 class. Muff’s Joe McGonigle was just three places and 37 seconds behind in his C2 Max, both cars running faultlessly. Limerick’s Kevin O’Connor will bring his new C2 Max to West Cork, and he demonstrated what he could do with an R2 version last year. His brother John will take over that R2 car and is very much out to enjoy the series.

Armagh’s Sean Agnew is in the process of having his R2 upgraded to a Max by John McKillop. The former professional Gaelic footballer won his class in both the National and Border Championships in 2011. Last year’s champion Scott McElhinney has both of his cars up for sale, but may well turn up in West Cork. From across the water Welsh man Steve Wood is returning to the series, Joe Shrimpton is finalising his programme after purchasing Mark Sheehan’s car and rapid former Trophy contender Andrew Hockridge is making a return to the series. We like to keep you up to date this year with the Citroen Racing Trophy so updates of news, events, results and general gossip, will now be updated regularly through both Face book and Twitter. To like the Face book page click: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Citroen-Racing-Trophy/305040199542207 And follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/CRTIRL

The Citroen Racing Trophy Ireland is continuing to provide a generous prize fund and support for drivers in 2012, with a 40,000€ prize fund available for the Trophy and an exciting new prize for the top junior driver worth well in excess of 10,000€ at the end of the season. West Cork will be a corker I’m sure, for the most generous one-make rally series ever to hit the Irish shores.

Regulations / Entry Form Available

Posted: February 7, 2012 1:07 PM

Cork Motorclub are pleased to announce that regulations for the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally to be held on the 17th & 18th March will be available to download from 9am on Tuesday 7th February.

Thanks to the generous sponsorship by the Tourism Sector of Clonakilty Chamber of Commerce, the first 15 overseas entries will receive a £100 discount on their ferry cost when booked though Fairfield Motorsport. This is based on the club receiving a completed entry form.

Regulations / Entry Form / Accommodation Details available at:

• West Cork Rally

Rally Guide available

Posted: January 15, 2012 11:28 PM

West Cork Rally - 17-18 Mar 12 - RALLY GUIDE

Press Release 1

Posted: January 11, 2012 4:54 PM

For the 34th time since the event was inaugurated in 1977, the Quality Hotel West Cork Rally returns to Clonakilty on St.Patricks Weekend. Cork Motor Club who promote the event are delighted to have the Quality Hotel on board as title sponsor for the tenth year in a row and are hoping to carry on the tradition of having a diverse range of entries throughout Ireland and the UK.

After three successful years at the helm, Darren McCarthy is stepping down to Deputy CoC while Martin Godfrey takes over as the new Clerk of the Course (only the sixth in the events history). Martin says “Darren will be a tough act to follow, but having him as deputy CoC will be a huge help”. As always the route is very challenging with 16 stages spread out over two days. Following the success of the town stage around Clonakilty in 2011, the club are delighted to be able to run a town stage twice this year.

The entry fee for the main field is once again held at a competitive €630 for almost 240km of stage miles (with 150km approx. road miles). There will also be a Historic Rally which will begin on Stage 5 on day one; the cost of entry here is €480 while the Junior Rally will cover the last four stages of the event at a cost of €330. After the success of the scheme over the past four years, junior competitors are also reminded that if they go marshalling on the Saturday stages then they will get a refund of €100 on their entry fee. Both crew members have to take part to avail of this. The service area will be centralised as usual near Clonakilty and Regulations will be available to download shortly from the event or club website

The Windscreen Company have renewed their sponsorship of the Southern 4 Rally Championship for 2012, with the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally being the first round as usual. The Citroen Cup is also back for 2012 and is also the opening round. The event is also the first round of the Road Rally Cup sponsored by Fairfield Motorsport. The Bones O’Connor Modified Challenge is back for a sixth year in 2012 which Damien McCarthy was the surprise, but fully deserving winner in 2011. This challenge incorporates cars from classes 9-15 (details on classes to be found on www.motorsportireland.com) and has been very competitive over the years.

Information on accommodation may be sourced by contacting the Quality Hotel on 023 8836400, (00 353 23 8836400 from the UK) or logging onto their website at www.qualityclonakiltyhotel.com. A comprehensive rally guide will also be available shortly to download from www.corkmotorclub.com and www.westcorkrally.com

Event & Club Website

Posted: January 11, 2012 4:52 PM

• West Cork Rally
• Cork Motor Club