Galway International Rally - 7-8 Feb 15

Posted: June 6, 2015 3:50 AM - 32762 Hits

Colm Quinn BMW Galway International Rally 2015.
Round 1 - 2015 Tarmac Rally Championship

In Car

Posted: June 6, 2015 3:50 AM

Eugene Donnelly & Paul Kiely (BMW MINI WRC) SS7

Rob Duggan & Ger Conway (Honda Civic) SS7

Ernie & Will Graham (Ford Escort BDA) SS6

Jonathan Folan & Tommy Cuddihy (Subaru Impreza N10) SS12

Raftery proves his pace in Galway with successful MINI WRC result

Posted: June 6, 2015 3:46 AM

Proving that his driving skills are not just limited to a front wheel drive rally car, Billy Coleman Young Driver of the Year Dean Raftery guided his MINI WRC to a fantastic sixth overall at last weekend's Colm Quinn BMW Galway International Rally. In his first ever outing in a world rally car, the 23 year old from Co. Galway made a mature drive way beyond his years to round off the top six after a time zapping penalty meant he dropped to 18th at one point during the opening day.

Backed by event sponsor Colm Quinn BMW, Raftery enlisted the help of co-driver Mark Kane for his inaugural four-wheel drive event and immediately hit the ground running with a top 10 time on the opening stage of the rally. Just a handful of seconds behind MINI team mate and five times Irish Champion Eugene Donnelly, Raftery showed he got to grips with the MINI straight away, showing as fastest through the opener at the mid stage split. But the MINI dropped onto limp home mode as a water pipe came loose in the stage and he dropped over two minutes trying to rectify the issue, incurring a chunk of time penalties prior to the second stage.

Back at service, the McGeehan Motorsport run MINI was soon righted again and Raftery set about clawing some time back in the tricky conditions. Heading into the overnight halt, Raftery had driven with an outstanding turn of pace, making it back to the Gort service area in sixth overall.
'It was a real shame we had the penalties this morning but tried not to dwell on it too much during the rest of the day' explained Raftery. 'Of course, the MINI took a lot of getting used to and we didn't test the car prior to the event due to the snow so every stage is a learning curve. It's good to compare our times with Eugene (Donnelly) to see how we are doing'.

Sunday emerged with a thick blanket of fog over the region and would provide an added challenge for the youngster. A small trip into a field on the morning's opener didn't help matters but Raftery soon settled down as he continued to learn the car. The number six seed would issue a wakeup call to the men in front as he set a ground breaking second fastest time overall on stage 11, showing the pace was no fluke. A string of top 5 times followed and the Craughwell talent took a sensible approach to the remainder of the rally, crossing the event finish ramp in a fine sixth overall.

'It has certainly been a fantastic experience and the MINI WRC is an amazing car to drive' he said. 'Hopefully this proves that my skills are not just limited to front wheel drive and I'm pleased how I adapted to the car throughout the rally. I have to say a huge thanks to Motorsport Ireland, the Irish Motorsports Council, McGeehan Motorsport and all my sponsors for making this happen. I really hope we can do it again this year but now my attentions turn to furthering my career and the season ahead.'

Raftery is supported by Bluebird Care, Colm Quinn BMW, Modern Tyre Service, EARS Motorsport, Kumho, King Car Parts, Quinns Hardware Labane, VP Racing Fuels, Mike Kelly Commercials and Raftery's Bar. For more information on Dean, updates from the event and his rallying career, visit www.deanraftery.com

Maiden International win for Kelly & Flanagan in Galway

Posted: June 6, 2015 3:42 AM

Donagh Kelly from Donegal and his Derry co-driver Kevin Flanagan powered their Ford Focus WRC to victory in the Colm Quinn BMW Galway International Rally which was based around Gort over the weekend. It was their first ever International Rally win and puts them into an early lead in the Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Tarmac Rally Championship for 2015. Runner up just 39.2 seconds behind was to multiple tarmac champions Eugene Donnelly & Paul Kiely in a Mini WRC, after they edged out Sam Moffett & Karl Atkinson who were in a Fiesta WRC by just 0.7 seconds.

Josh Moffett & John Rowan took fourth place from reigning tarmac champions Declan & Brian Boyle by just three seconds after the Boyle cousins lost the lead with a three minute road penalty at the end of the first day. Dean Raftery & Mark Kane completed the top six in another Mini WRC after a very mature drive. There was disappointment for 2013 tarmac champion Garry Jennings with Rory Kennedy co-driving when they went off the road and into retirement on the fifth stage with damaged steering.

Aaron McHale & Paul McGee won Group N in his Mitsubishi Lancer while the modified category saw another dominant performance from Declan Gallagher & Ryan Moore as they begin their year as they left off last year with another win. Escort mounted father and son team Ernie & Will Graham took the honours in the Historic Rally, while Vincent McSweeney & Michael Kearney won the junior category in their Honda Civic.

Photos

Posted: June 6, 2015 3:39 AM

Roy Dempster Photos

crspics.com - Counihan Rallysport Pictures

James Burke Motorsport Photography

Results

Posted: June 6, 2015 3:19 AM

1 Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Ford Focus WRC) 1h 19m 48s
2 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (BMW Mini WRC) 1h 20m 27s
3 Sam Moffett/Karl Atkinson (Ford Fiesta WRC) 1h 20m 28s
4 Josh Moffett/John Rowan (Ford Fiesta WRC) 1h 22m 33s
5 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC) 1h 22m 37s
6 Dean Raftery/Mark Kane (BMW Mini WRC) 1h 23m 31s
7 Jonny Greer/Kirsty Riddick (Citroen DS3 R5) 1h 26m 57s
8 Aaron McHale/Paul McGee (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 1h 27m 56s
9 Brendan Cumiskey/Ronan O'Kane (Subaru Impreza WRX Gp N) 1h 28m 00s
10 Joe McGonigle/Ciaran Geaney (Skoda Fabia S2000) 1h 28m 05s

NATIONAL EVENT:
1 Declan Gallagher/Ryan Moore (Toyota Starlet) 1h 26m 19s
2 Mickey Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips (Ford Escort Mk2) 1h 28m 45s
3 John Lynch/Thomas Lynch (Ford Escort Mk2) 1h 29m 42s.
4 Stephen Greaney/Kieran Feeney (Ford Escort Mk2) 1h 30m 06s
5 Declan Wilmott/Anthony Nestor (Ford Escort Mk2) 1h 30m 47s
6 Neil Pierce/Enda O'Leary (Honda Civic) 1h 31m 13s

HISTORIC RALLY:
1 Ernie Graham/Will Graham (Ford Escort Mk2) 1h 11m 39s
2 Gareth Lloyd/Gwynfor Jones (Ford Escort Mk2) 1h 02m 36s
3 Joe Connolly/John Connolly (Ford Escort Mk1) 1h 18m 18s

JUNIOR RALLY:
1 Vincent McSweeney/Michael Kearney (Honda Civic) 34m 11s
2 Richard Moore/Brian Halligan (Honda Civic) 35m 05s
3 Conor McCarthy/Dylan Coffey (Honda Civic) 36m 10s

Leader After
SS1-3 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS4-14 Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Ford Focus WRC)

Stage Winners
SS1 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS2 Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Ford Focus WRC)
SS3 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS4 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS5 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS6 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS7 Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Ford Focus WRC)
SS8 CANCELLED
SS9 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (BMW Mini WRC)
SS10 Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Ford Focus WRC)
SS11 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (BMW Mini WRC)
SS12 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS13 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS14 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (BMW Mini WRC)

results.shannonsportsit.ie (Angus Sealy)

Rallynews (by Brian & Liz Patterson)

Slattery ready to head into the west!

Posted: February 7, 2015 6:56 PM

Reigning class 6 National Irish Rally Champion Andrew Slattery is in the final stages of preparing for his first event of 2015, the Colm Quinn BMW Galway International Rally. Having secured his national class 6 title on the Galway Summer Rally last year, Andrew is looking forward to heading into the west once again in his Peugeot 208 R2. Shaun Forde will join Andrew as co-driver this weekend.

Speaking ahead of this weekend Andrew said; “To have secured a national class title in 2014 was brilliant for us and I’m looking forward to more successful outings in the Peugeot 208 R2 this year. The reliability of the car was faultless last season and that was down to the great preparation work of Dan and the team. There’s a strong field of R2 cars entered for Galway this weekend including 2 other Peugeot 208 R2s which is great to see and I’m really looking forward to tackling my first international event in a while. Galway in February is always a challenging event and it will be great preparation for the 2015 season for myself, Shaun and the car.”

Andrew’s adventure will start this Saturday when the first cars leave Parc Ferme at 9.45am with cars returning to base at 4.30pm after undertaking 6 tough stages near the town of Gort. An 8.30am start on Sunday will see the crews take on 8 stages including the famous Black Road and Lough Cutra tests before the leading cars make their way to the finish ramp for shortly after 4pm. As ever, Andrew would like to thank all of his sponsors and partners including Finol, Slatterys Garage and Peugeot Ireland. You can follow the exploits of the team over the weekend by liking the Peugeot Total Ireland Rally Team Page on Facebook or by following Andrew on Twitter @andyslattery86.

Final Instructions No 1

Posted: February 2, 2015 10:16 PM

Galway International Rally - 7-8 Feb 15 - FINAL INSTRUCTIONS No 1

Donnelly & Raftery in Mini WRCs

Posted: February 2, 2015 9:40 PM

Eugene Donnelly is delighted to announce his entry into this years’ Galway International Rally. This has been achieved with the joint support of Colm Quinn – MINI and BMW (Athlone and Galway) who has entered a two car team with Dean Rafferty a local Galway native joining Eugene in a similar MINI WRC car. Once again, the MINI WRC will be supplied by Mc Geehan Motorsport who played a pivotal role in securing the deal for Eugene to take part in the event.

“I am delighted to be part of the Galway International Rally again this year. It is one of my favourite events, though I think it will be difficult for me to get on the pace. Realistically I am not expecting any major overall result” Eugene went on to say “My last outing was in the Circuit of Ireland last year. I will be back in the Right Hand Drive car that I competed in Galway last year and very much look forward to partnering Dean who is without doubt one of the brightest new talents in Ireland. Dean won the prestigious Billy Coleman – Young Rally Driver of Year Award and was also crowned BRC Rally 2 Champion in 2014 and I look forward to offering him as much support and advice as I can”.

Exciting line up for season opener in Galway

Posted: February 2, 2015 9:35 PM

There is now little over a week to go to the opening round of the Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, the Colm Quinn BMW Galway International Rally, and there is a sense of anticipation and excitement that’s almost unique in Irish Rallying. Throughout the years Galway has been the curtain raiser to the championship and with unpredictable weather, drivers debuting new cars, and drivers who have never competed on the International before it rarely fails to disappoint. The good news for Irish Rally fans is that this year’s event promises more of the same with new cars and promising young drivers on the entry list.

Current Tarmac Champion Declan Boyle is top seed in his Subaru Impreza WRC S12 and he returns to the scene of his first ever international victory twelve months ago which acted as a springboard towards his championship success. He is without doubt one of the quickest drivers in the country at present and has also won the National Championship for the past two seasons and will be hot favourite to win in the west again. Garry Jennings at two in a similar car was champion in 2013 but suffered a troubled year in 2014, with a costly excursion denying him victory in Galway, a heavy accident on the Circuit of Ireland which also ruled him out of Killarney, and a subdued drive in Donegal where he was third overall, a long way behind the leading duo. He eventually finished a distant second in the championship in 2014 and will be hoping for much better luck in Galway than he has had in the past.

Multiple Irish Tarmac Champion Eugene Donnelly starts at three in the first of the Colm Quinn BMW sponsored Mini WRC’s and he is another driver who will want to move quickly on from the past year. His only two outings were on Galway and the Circuit of Ireland where uncharacteristic accidents put him out of both events and he will be looking to prove he still has got what it takes to challenge for overall honours. Donagh Kelly is at number four in his Ford Focus WRC, and had a fine third place in Galway last year followed by second on the Circuit of Ireland. Having also won the non-championship West Cork Rally, hopes were high for a breakthrough in winning an international event. However an accident late on the Rally of the Lakes when he was poised for victory set him back and another non finish in Donegal saw his season peter out disappointingly.

Sam Moffett at number five has had a full season in his Fiesta WRC behind him and has shown he can be a serious contender for championship honours having won in Killarney last year and finishing second in Donegal, he will be up there challenging for overall victory. Dean Raftery from Craughwell starts at six in the second Colm Quinn BMW sponsored Mini WRC and if he adapts to the new car the Billy Coleman Award winner could be in line to gain one of the best results ever by a Galway driver on his home event. Josh Moffett the current Group N champion and Billy Coleman Award finalist is at seven in a newly acquired Fiesta WRC and is another of the new driver / car combinations to watch out for and it will be interesting to see how he compares again his older sibling in a similar car.

Steve Simpson from England returns in his Impreza WRC hoping for better luck than in 2014 when he got caught out in a deep drain on the Black Road stage and subsequently retired due to related mechanical issues, while James Belton brings his Fiesta S2000 to Galway for the first time all the way from Wales. Jonny Greer and Joe McGonigle are two other drivers to have new and interesting machinery for the coming year driving a Citroen DS3 R5, and Skoda Fabia 2000 respectively. Greer hasn’t been seen on Irish Tarmac too often in recent times even though he had a good result in Galway in 2008. McGonigle from Donegal has over the past few years has campaigned a Citroen and a Renault Clio.

The 2014 Modified Champion Declan Gallagher the “Flying Milkman” is back out in his Toyota Starlet and will be favourite to do well in defence if his crown. An impressive haul of four wins over six rounds last year made him a worthy champion. Other drivers who will feature in the modified section include Pat Donegan who ran Gallagher close in both Galway and West Cork last year before retirement, Liam Howlett, Cal McCarthy, Richard Whelan and Brian Brogan. A very interesting and welcome entry is at 29, Kai Dieter Kolle in a Porsche 911 should provide some welcome nostalgia as Porsches once dominated the Galway International Rally back in the 1970’s.

The Historic section has ten cars and to date only a few of these have registered, with current championship leader Denis Moynihan and second placed Tomas Davies not competing, third placed Gareth Lloyd has a chance to move into the lead in his Escort while Adrian Kermode, Ernie Graham and Luke McCarthy will also fancy their chances. John Coyne makes a welcome return from the USA driving his immaculate Talbot Sunbeam Lotus after many outings in the category last year.

Mick Brackens On the Limit Sports will provide the TV coverage for the 2015 season with Siobhan O’Connor presenting on each event, while Becs Williams who is well known from her work on World Rally Radio will provide the voiceover for each TV programme. You can keep up to date with live times though the Irish Tarmac Championship Smartphone app (iOS and Android), Twitter (@IrishTarmacTROA), the championship Facebook page (Irish Tarmac Championship) and of course the championship website, www.irishtarmac.com.

Rally Programmes

Posted: February 2, 2015 8:16 PM

Seeded Entry Lists

Posted: January 28, 2015 12:46 PM

1 Declan Boyle/Boyle Brian (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B) [7]
2 Garry Jennings/Rory Kennedy (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B) [7]
3 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (BMW Mini WRC) [7]
4 Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan (Ford Focus WRC) [7]
5 Sam Moffett/ TBA (Ford Fiesta WRC) [7]
6 Dean Raftery/Mark Kane (BMW Mini WRC) [7]
7 Josh Moffett/John Rowan (Ford Fiesta WRC) [7]
8 Declan Gallagher/Ryan Moore (Toyota Starlet RWD) [13]
9 Stephen Simpson/Patrick Walsh (Subaru Impreza WRC) [ 7]
10 Jonathan Greer/Kirsty Riddick (Citroen DS3 R5) [ 5]
11 James Belton/Keith Moriarty (Ford Fiesta S2000) [ 5]
12 Pat Donegan/Alan Keena (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
14 Brendan Cumiskey/Ronan O'Kane (Subaru Impreza WRX Sti R4) [ 4]
15 Pat Kelly/Jonathan Kelly (Subaru Impreza WRX Sti) [17]
16 Pat O Connell/Mark Wiley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [17]
17 Joseph McGonigle/Ciaran Geaney (Skoda Fabia S2000) [ 5]
18 Brian Brogan/Damian McGettigan (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
19 Michael Conlon/Ciaran McPhilips (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
20 Neil Pierce/Enda O'Leary (Honda Civic) [11F]
21 Liam Howlett/John McGrath (Ford Escort RS Mk2) [13]
22 David Quigley/Johnson Sam (Honda Civic EK4) [11F]
23 Richard Whelan/David Mannion (TBA TBA) [11F]
24 Cal McCarthy/Eamonn Dullea (Honda Civic) [11F]
25 Kevin Eves/Chris Melly (Peugeot 208 R2) [ 2]
26 Maurice Greaney/Keith McHugh (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [ 4]
27 Aaron Machale/Paul McGee (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [ 4]
28 Stephen Greaney/Kieran Feeney (Ford Escort) [13]
29 Kai Dieter Kolle/Bianca Hutzfeldt (Porsche Carrera) [14]
30 Callum Devine/ TBA (Ford Fiesta) [ 3]
31 David Armstrong/ TBA (Ford MK 2) [14]
32 Stephen Hernon/Jeff Case (Subaru Impreza N12B) [ 4]
33 Pauraic Duffy/Kevin Glynn (Ford Focus RS) [ 5]
34 Declan Wilmott/Anthony Nestor (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
35 Brian O'Keeffe/Sean Hayde (Subaru Impreza N) [ 4]
36 Stephen Carey/Ella Ryan (Honda Civic) [ 2]
37 Justin Comer/Adrian Comer (Mitsubishi Evo 5) [15]
38 Mark Nangle/Nollaig Breen (Subaru Impreza) [20]
39 Jason O'Mahony/Jonathan O'Mahony (Honda Civic) [11F]
40 Kieran McCarra/Mark Hamill (Honda Civic) [13]
41 Jonathan Folan/Cuddihy Tommy (Subaru N10) [20]
42 Gus Kearney/Eddie O'Neill (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [ 4]
43 Andrew Fanning/Paddy King (Ford Fiesta ST) [20]
44 Lewis Gallagher/Angus Williams (Subaru Impreza) [20]
45 Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden (Ford Escort) [11R]
46 Peter O'Kane/Andy Hayes (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [ 4]
47 Pat Lee/ TBA (TBA TBA) []
48 Ross Hunter/Josh Davison (Peugeot 205) [13]
49 Eamon Lee/Sean Fahy (Ford Escort) [13]
50 Ross Marshall/Dave Robson (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
51 Philip Greenlee/William Lynch (TBA TBA) []
52 Andrew Slattery/Shaun Forde (Peugeot 208 R2) [ 2]
53 Richard Tannahill/Aileen Kelly (Peugeot 208 R2) [ 2]
54 Frank Byrnes/Dave Ray (Peugeot 206 Cup Car) [11F]
55 Paul Rowley/Patrick Brides (Renault Clio Maxi) [13]
56 Trevor Keane/Enda Lally (Honda Civic EK4) [11F]
57 Paul McHugh/Raymond Coppinger (Honda Civic EK4) [ 2]
58 John Walsh/Philip Walsh (Honda Civic EK4) [16]
59 Joe Donoghue/ TBA (Ford Escort) [11F]
60 Tommy Flanagan/Flanagan Keith (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
61 Jason Tuthill/Teggart Ben (Ford Escort Mk1) [ 9]
62 Gene Callan/Sean Brunton (Ford Escort) [ 9]
63 Ger McDonagh/Ken Flanagan (Subaru Impreza) [15]
64 David Donoghue/James Comer (TBA TBA) [ 9]
65 ED Twomey/ TBA (Ford Fiesta) [ 2]
66 Anthony Masterson/Andrew Browne (Ford Escort RS) [ 9]
67 Donal McGrath/Shane Moriarty (Twin Cam) [11R]
68 Kevin McHugo/Ciaran Mahon (Honda EG6) [11F]
69 Victor Beamish/Susan Beamish (Vauxhall Nova) [10]
70 Corey Eves/Reynolds Adrian (Toyota Corolla) [11R]
71 Denis O'Brien/Ryan O'Brien (Opel Corsa) [10]
72 Mike Murphy/Karl Byrne (TBA TBA) [ 9]
73 Kelvin Gorney/Kieran Burke (Citroen Saxo) [11F]
74 David Keane/Owen Gibbons (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
75 Dermot O'Rourke/Sharon Egan (Subaru Impreza) [11F]
76 Marcin Mleczko/Tomasz Bachor (Opel Corsa) [ 9]
77 Mohram Islam/Elsaadny Mohamed (Fiat Punto) [ 1]

Juniors
J1 Richard Moore/Brian Halligan (Honda Civic) [J2]
J2 Sean Brady/Brian Brady (Honda Civic Type R) [J2]
J3 Darren O’Brien/John McCabe (Honda Civic) [J1]
J4 Robert Duggan/Ger Conway (Honda Civic) [J2]
J5 Andy Mahon/Andy Donoghue (Ford Escort Mk2) [J2]
J6 John O'Sullivan/JJ Cremin (Honda Civic) [J2]
J7 Conor McCarthy/Dylan Coffey (Honda Civic) [J2]
J8 Cathal McCarthy/Alison Levis (Honda Civic) [J2]
J9 Justin Ryan/Andy Walsh (Honda Civic EK4) [J2]
J10 James Whelan/Sarah Whelan (Honda Civic) [J1]
J11 Mark Finnegan/Mcloughlin Brian (Suzuki Swift) [J1]
J12 Mark Gordon/Yannick Roche (Honda Civic) [J2]
J14 Brian Lavelle/ TBA (Honda Civic) [J2]

Historics
1 Ernie Graham/Will Graham (Ford Escort RS) [ K]
2 Gareth Lloyd/Gwnyfor Jones (Ford MK 2) [ K]
3 Adrian Kermode/Maurice Beckett (Porsche 911 SC RS) [D4]
4 John Coyne/Christy Farrell (Talbot HISTORIC) [ K]
5 John Spiers/Susanne Niedrum (Porsche 911) [C4]
6 Luke McCarthy/Dave Hogan (Porsche TBA) [B5]
7 Joe Connolly/John J Connolly (Ford Escort RS1600) [ K]
8 James Power/Declan Kelly (Ford Escort Mk1) [C3]
9 Martin Creaven/Shane Creaven (Ford Escort Mk1) [C3]
10 James Hall/ TBA (Audi S2 Coupe quattro) [ K]

Galway International Rally Ready to Launch!

Posted: January 17, 2015 9:43 AM

Preparations are well under way for the 2015 Colm Quinn BMW Galway International Rally which takes place from the 6th to the 8th of February. The event is building to be a true classic as Clerk of the Course Kieran Donohue, has laid out a very challenging route for the competitors. Mother Nature did everything in her power to upset last year’s event with monsoon like condition and severe flooding but this did not deter Kieran and his Galway Motor Club team. The event was a huge success.

Colm Quinn BMW has returned as title sponsor for a second year. Their fabulous new Tuam Road showroom will play host to mechanical scrutineering on Friday the 6th of February. This is a perfect opportunity to get up close to the cars and drivers prior to the high-speed action on Saturday and Sunday. The event will also come to a climax outside the new showroom on the Sunday evening with the top cars crossing the finish ramp and the victors spraying the champagne.

The rally, although based in the Clayton Hotel, Ballybrit will take place in the Gort area with Service being held at Gort Mart on both days. The event will run over two days and will have a total of 14 stages. The demanding route consists 6 stages on Saturday, with a further 8 stages being covered on the Sunday. Maps and time schedules will be available from the Official Rally Programme available before the event.

The 2015 event will have International Status and will be the opening round of the Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. It is a true International event with competitors traveling from all over the world for a chance to compete on the Galway roads. One such competitor is Kai-Dieter Kölle, with navigator Bianca Hutzfeldt, who are bringing their iconic Porsche 911 all the way from Northern Germany to Galway to compete over the unique terrain of the “Wild Atlantic Way”. The 5 time North German Rally Champion is relishing the challenge having competed on over 80 European events including the Arctic Lapland Rally in Finland.

The rally will bring a welcome early season boost to visitor numbers in Galway city and county. The event generates over 2,000 bed nights annually as most teams, some of up to 30 people, spend two weekends in the area between making their route notes and taking part in the event itself.

The event will have its official launch this Friday the 16th of January at Colm Quinn BMW Showrooms, Tuam Road, Galway at 8pm. There will be entertainment and also rally cars on display, everyone is welcome to what should be an excellent evening, and admission is free. More information can be found on the rally website www.galwayinternationalrally.com and on social media accounts.