Limerick Forestry Rally - 1 Mar 20 - CANCELLED

Update 10 Mar 20

Posted: March 10, 2020 4:11 PM

"Following consultation with Coillte and the National Parks & Wildlife Service, Limerick Motor Club are unable to reschedule the Limerick Forest Rally on the proposed date of 19th April 2020. This is due to wildlife protection. Having exhausted all avenues to date, we have been unable to find a viable solution. However, we will continue working on finding a solution to give our valued competitors a chance to compete on our fantastic stages despite the substantial financial loss incurred by the club. Competitors will be refunded their entry fees as soon as possible.

Once again, Limerick Motor Club would like to thank competitors, marshals, stage commanders, timekeepers, officials, stage set up crews, rescue crews, our sponsors, media, support crews and the community of Abbeyfeale and surrounding areas."

Statement Regarding Limerick Forest Rally - Valvoline Forest Rally Championship

Posted: March 1, 2020 5:29 AM

“It is with severe regret that event COC Anthony Nestor and his team in Limerick Motor Club have had to postpone today’s Keltec Limerick Forest Rally, the second round of the Valvoline Forest Rally Championship. A heavy overnight snowfall has left the stages in an unsafe condition for competitors, marshals and officials alike.

This is an incredibly difficult decision to make at this time, but the organisers have vowed to provide an incredible event at the currently proposed later date of April 18/19th, subject to Motorsport Ireland approval.

We would like to thank every competitor who made the effort to travel to Limerick this weekend, and we ask at this time that as many of you as possible consider returning at the later date to support the massive efforts made by the Limerick Motor Club once more this year in organising the event.

More details will follow as and when we get them.”

EVENT POSTPONED

Posted: March 1, 2020 5:12 AM

Start of Rally Delayed

Posted: March 1, 2020 4:44 AM

Start of Limerick Forestry delayed.
New start times below (4wds to run first on the road)#sneachta https://t.co/wjxPkrcUGh

— rally.ie (@rally_ie) March 1, 2020

Seeded Entry List

Posted: February 28, 2020 5:45 PM

1 Keith Power/Tommy Cuddihy (Ford Fiesta R5) [1]
2 Cathan McCourt/Barry McNulty (Ford Fiesta R5) [5]
3 James Wilson/Arthur Kierans (Hyundai i20 R5) [5]
4 Andrew Purcell/Liam Brennan (Ford Fiesta R5) [5]
5 Michael Carbin/Conor Mohan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [20]
6 Joe Hegarty/David Turkington (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [20]
7 Liam Ryan/Brian Doherty (Ford Fiesta R5) [5]
8 Marty McKenna/Martin Brady (Ford Fiesta WRC) [7]
9 Conor McCourt/Caolan McKenna (Ford Fiesta R5) [5]
10 Enda McCormack/Colin Fitzgerald (Hyundai i20 R5) [5]
11 Stephen Dickson/Dermot McCaffrey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
12 Gareth Mimnagh/J Barry McCarney (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [7]
14 Ian Roche/JJ Cremin (Ford Fiesta R5) [5]
15 Kevin O'Connor/Michael Breen (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [20]
16 PJ O'Connor/Denny Greaney (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
17 Ian Dickson/John McCafferty (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
18 John Reid/Enda Shiels (Toyota Corolla WRC) [15]
19 Jenna McCann/John McCabe (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
20 Mike Snr O'Connor/Sinead O'Keeffe (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 4) [15]
21 Joseph Stanley/Paul Dowling (VW Polo) [20]
22 Sean Sharkey/Martin Byrne (Ford Fiesta S2000) [20]

201 Gary Kiernan/Daren O'Brien (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
202 Michael Conlon/Grace O'Brien (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
203 David Condell/Paul Kelly (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
204 Kyle White/Sean Topping (Peugeot 208 R2) [2]
205 Jordan Hone/Paul Hone (Opel Adam R2) [2]
206 Brendan Cumiskey/Declan Campbell (Ford Fiesta R2) [2]
207 Marty Gallagher/Dean O'Sullivan (Peugeot 208 R2) [2]
208 Derek Mackarel/Dylan Doonan (Vauxhall Nova) [11F]
209 James Dunphy/Sean Dunphy (Toyota Corolla Twin Cam) [11R]
210 Shane Kenneally/Tommy Hayes (Ford Fiesta) [2]
211 Mike Garahy/Iarla McCarthy (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
212 George Condell/William Lynch (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
213 Brian Brady/Eamonn Creedon (Honda Civic) [16]
214 Ian McCarthy/Sara McFadden (Honda Civic) [11F]
215 Jamie O'Rourke/Ronan Lacey (Suzuki Swift GTI) [1]
216 Gary Kelleher/Eoghan McCarthy (Opel Corsa) [10]
217 Raymond Jnr Benskin/Nicky Hegarty (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
218 David McAuley/Andrew Moore (Honda Civic) [1]
219 Sean W Benskin/Eugene Cronin (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
220 Paul O'Connor/Heather Switzer (Honda Civic) [11F]
221 Jack Brunton/Sean Brunton (Honda Civic) [16]
222 Ed Muldoon/Matthew Murphy (Suzuki Swift) [11F]
223 Adrian Beattie/Ryan Declan (Ford Fiesta R2) [2]
224 Stephen Reynolds/James McEneaney (Honda Civic) [16]
225 Graham Kelly/Dean Kelly (Citroen C2 R2) [2]
226 Hal Lewis/Tommy Commane (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
227 Richie O'Shea/Liam Mackay (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
228 Anthony Cullinane/Robert O'Regan (Honda Civic) [11F]
229 Mike Feeney/Ger Clancy (Honda Civic) [11F]
230 Eoin Neville/Brendan Quinn (Honda Civic) [3]
231 Christy Butler/Ann Hutchinson (Honda Civic) [11F]
232 Anthony Roche/Alan Hourigan (VW Polo) [2]
233 Alan Commins/Joe O'Brien (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
234 Evan Maher/Brian Meade (Subaru Impreza) [16]
235 Ian Horgan/Derry Long (Vauxhall Nova) [10]
236 Patrick Brislane/Cian O'Keeffee (Suzuki Swift) [9]
237 Ashley McCarthy/Sean Berry (Peugeot 106) [16]

301 Reece Pollock/John Burke (Nissan Micra) [21]
302 Kyle McBride/Declan Casey (Toyota Aygo) [21]
303 Joseph Kelly/Shane Byrne (Toyota Aygo) [21]
304 Casey Jay Coleman/James Fogarty (Nissan Micra) [21]
305 Letisha Conn/Jordan Murphy (Citroen C1) [21]
306 Mossie Costello/Aine Phelan (Hyundai I10) [21]
307 Jack Brennan/David Geraghty (Chevrolet Spark) [21]
308 Aaron Whelan/Karl Egan (Nissan Micra) [21]
309 Niall Murphy/Noel Murphy (Peugeot 107) [21]
310 Ella Conway/Darragh Mullen (Peugeot 107) [21]
311 Mikey Ryan/Mikie Maher (Peugeot 107) [21]
312 Kyle Browne/Daniel Hanratty (Toyota Aygo) [21]

Final Instructions available on Club Website, link below.

Marshal Information

Posted: February 27, 2020 3:39 AM

Following the success of last year’s ‘Golden Ticket’ draw for marshals, we are delighted to announce that €1,500 has been ring fenced for all marshals, timekeepers and stage commanders that give assistance to Limerick Motor Club during the event. This incentive is to reward the sacrifice that these volunteers make to our events week in week out, in all weather conditions throughout the country. This incentive is kindly sponsored by the competitors. Each volunteer will be given a golden ticket with the draw taking place after the event. Up for grabs are five prizes of a half day tuition at a professional rally school.

Stage 1
Meeting point: Stage Entrance
Time: 8:30am
No shop at this meeting point.
Coordinates for stage 1 entrance are as follows:
N 52 19'23.351
W 9 08'29.684

Stage 2
Meeting point: Moloneys Maxol, Abbeyfeale
Time: 8.50am

Stage 3
Meeting point: Centra, Castleisland
Time: 9.30am

Valvoline Irish Forest Rally Championship 2020 - Round 2 Preview

Posted: February 27, 2020 3:25 AM

The mud and stones have barely been washed off some cars, but this weekend see’s the hugely exciting Valvoline Irish Forest Rally Championship buzz back to life as we head to Abbeyfeale for Round two of the 2020 season, the Keltec Engineering Limerick Forest Rally.

A new base for this year’s event, but a lot of the stages and team behind the scenes have stayed the same from the weather halted event last year. Undeterred by the freak Snow Blizzards that cut their efforts short last term, COC Anthony Nestor and the Limerick Motor Club have put in huge work to make the 2020 event a true classic that should be remembered for quite some time.

The stages, based around the Limerick and Cork border, are incredibly quick and the club have made massive efforts to ensure their quality once more. The six tests will see crews navigate over 66KM of some of the most rewarding high-speed thrills that Irish rallying has to offer.

Heading the field, and most definitely the early favourite, are Round 1 winners in Carrick-on-Suir two weeks ago James Wilson/Arthur Kierans. The 2018 Billy Coleman award winner showed blistering pace in the changeable conditions last time out and has really gotten up to speed quickly with the PCRS prepared Hyundai i20 R5. The young Armagh star has made the Forestry Title his main focus in 2020, and if the pace shown so far is anything to go by, its going to take a serious effort to derail Wilsons ambitions in the Motorsport Ireland backed car.

The pair who came closest to toppling Wilson in Carrick were Michael Carbin/Conor Mohan in their Mitsibushi Evo 9, but the latest news just breaking is that 2019 Irish Forest Champions Cathan McCourt/Barry McNulty are back for the 2020 season in their Ford Fiesta R5. Fresh from an impressive run in Fivemiletown last weekend, McCourt is rearing to take the battle to Carbin and Wilson and make a serious effort to retain his crown!

In the 2WD section, all eyes will be on the battle of the Ford Escorts, with Round 1 winners Gary Kiernan/Daren O’Brien set to be pushed to the limit by a raft of big name opposition who have a lot more Loose Surface experience than the Monaghan man. Michael Conlon/Grace O’Brien had a great event in Carrick-on-Suir to take second place, but they know that there are even more friendly rivals to deal with in Limerick.

Chief among these is 2019 Valvoline Irish Forestry 2WD Champions David Crossan/Aileen Kelly who start their defence this weekend having skipped Round 1, as have fellow Class 14 MK2 Escort crew David Condell/Paul Kelly, winners of the gruelling 2-day Cork Forest Rally in 2019.

Behind them, the FWD battle is once again sure to dominate the conversation, with the R2 battle once more set to rage between the Opel Adam of Jordan Hone/Paul Hone and the Ford Fiesta’s of Marty Gallagher/Dean O’Sullivan & Kyle White/Sean Topping.

In Class 11F, inspirational young navigator Sara McFadden will make her Valvoline Irish Forest Rally Championship debut alongside current class leader Ian McCarthy in his Honda Civic. The visually impaired Mayo woman has quickly grown a reputation as an incredibly skilled co-driver, and the Limerick Forest Rally will be a first venture off tarmac and into the Woods!

Lastly, the closest battle of all on Round 1 of the season was in the M’O’Brien Plant Hire Junior 1000 series, where only 1.2 seconds separated the Nissan Micra of Reece Pollock/John Burke and the Toyota Aygo of Kyle McBride, who this round will be navigated by Declan Casey. The field of J1000 crews will be the first to leave the Rally HQ in Abbeyfeale on Sunday morning, with six incredible stages lying in wait for what is sure to be a great days rallying!

Limerick Forest Rally 2020 - Entry Fees Reduced

Posted: February 20, 2020 3:06 PM

Regarding the use of trackers on our event, competitors (guardians of J1000 competitors) with completed entry forms by 5pm on 19/2/2020 were contacted seeking their views. Those NOT in favour of using trackers won by 5 votes. Limerick Motor Club has considered the views of competitors and therefore, trackers will not be used on the event. As a result of this and the decision to remove the Benevolent Fund contribution, entry fees have now been revised as follows:
Main Field: €653
J1000: €428

On Line Entry / Regulations / Map of Key Locations

Posted: February 14, 2020 6:10 AM

Shannon Sports IT (EVO On line Entry)

Limerick Forestry Rally - 1 Mar 20 - REGULATIONS
Limerick Forestry Rally - 1 Mar 20 - MAP OF KEY LOCATIONS

KELTEC ENGINEERING LIMERICK FOREST RALLY 2020 IN ASSOCIATION WITH T JUNCTION CARS LTD - PRESS RELEASE 1

Posted: January 20, 2020 3:25 PM

On Sunday March 1st, some of Ireland’s leading rally crews will descend on the mid-west for the Keltec Engineering Limerick Forest Rally. Organised and promoted by Limerick Motor Club, we are delighted to announce Kilmallock based Keltec Engineering as title sponsor for 2020. Keltec Engineering have shown their faith in the rally once again following their associate sponsorship of last year’s event. Managing director Thomas Sheedy is no stranger to motorsport as he competes in the Irish Hillclimb & Sprint Championship. We also welcome our new associate sponsor T Junction Cars of Newcastle West who have come on board. Owner and clerk of the course for this rally, Anthony Nestor, has recognised the benefits of sponsoring such an event. The HQ for the loose surface rally weekend event will be in Leen’s Hotel, Abbeyfeale.

Limerick Forest Rally counts as round 2 of the Valvoline Irish Forest Rally Championship, Suirway Group South East Stages Rally Championship and the newly formed Motorsport Ireland Junior Rally Series, all of which will ensure a high quality entry from Ireland and further afield. We would like to acknowledge the roles of Ita Doonan, Ray Fitzpatrick and their Irish Forest Rally Championship team for their co-operation with Limerick Motor Club over the past number of years. As a new era for the championship begins, we look forward to working with Deirdre Burke and Paul Casey.

Clerk of the course, Anthony Nestor, has laid on a compact route of three exceptionally smooth stages with each stage to be tackled twice totalling 66km in a 3-1-2 format. Anthony would like to thank Coillte, Abbeyfeale Community Council and Kostal for their support of this event. Speaking on behalf of Abbeyfeale Community Council, chairperson Maurice O’Connell said
“Abbeyfeale Community Council are delighted to welcome this year’s Limerick Motor Club Forest Rally to Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick. We wish the organisers and participants every success in this exciting event and welcome all supporters and visitors from throughout the Country and abroad to our beautiful and friendly town and community. Wishing everyone involved a safe and exciting weekend”.

Following the success of last year’s ‘Golden Ticket’ draw for marshals, we are delighted to announce that €1,500 has been ring fenced for all marshals, timekeepers and stage commanders that give assistance to Limerick Motor Club during the event. This incentive is to reward the sacrifice that these volunteers make to our events week in week out, in all weather conditions throughout the country. This incentive is kindly sponsored by the competitors. Each volunteer will be given a golden ticket with the draw taking place after the event. Up for grabs are five prizes of a half day tuition at a professional rally school.

Spectators are, as always, welcome to the rally and in return we ask you to arrive early, stand in spectator areas, obey and respect the marshals, only park in suitable areas, leave only your footprint and always KEEP THE RACE IN IT’S PLACE. Programmes containing stage maps, itinerary, entry list, etc. will be available from local shops in the days leading up to the rally.

For more information visit www.limerickmc.ie and keep an eye on social media for the latest updates. Limerick Motor Club would like to wish you all a safe and enjoyable weekend and we look forward to welcoming you all to west Limerick on Sunday March 1st.

Event Poster

Posted: January 20, 2020 3:25 PM

Club Website

Posted: January 20, 2020 3:17 PM

Limerick Motor Club