Irish Forest Rally Championship
Category | Rallying |
---|---|
Country | Ireland |
Inaugural season | 1978 |
Drivers' champion | ![]() |
Official website | Website |
The National Forestry Rally, Motorsport Ireland National Forest Rally is a rallying series in the Republic of Ireland. It consists series of events, organized by a different motor club representing the region.
The championship is regulated by Motorsport Ireland who are the governing body of Motorsports in the Republic of Ireland.
Seasons
2020
The 2020 calendar includes two changes, round 4 Cavan Forest Rally has been dropped in favor of Sean Conlon Memorial Forestry Rally, and round 7 Lakeland Stages Rally replaced by Bushwhacker Rally.[1][2]
The Moonraker Forest Rally was initially scheduled 18 April, but later rescheduled to 28 March. Limerick Forest Rally on 1 March was postponed on the day due to snowfall, the new date proposed is 18–19 April.[3]
On 12 March all motorsports events were postponed in the light of the coronavirus pandemic.[4][5] On 20 March, Motorsport Ireland issued a statement that all motorsport events are suspended until 1 June 2020.[6] After the government released a road map on easing the COVID-19 restrictions on 6 May,[7] Motorsport Ireland released a statement same day that in line with Phase 4 of this road map the suspension of all motor sports events is extended until the 20 July 2020. Rally events fall under Phase 5 of the guidelines and will not be considered until after the 10 August 2020.[8] On 19 May Motorsport Ireland cancelled the 2020 championship.[9] Clubs might still be able to run events if they wish but it won't hold championship status.
Only the round 1 took place before rounds 2-6 were postponed, and eventually all remaining rounds were cancelled.
Round | Dates | Event | Rally HQ | Organizer |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 16 February | Willie Loughman Forest Rally | Carrick-on-Suir | Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club |
2 | 1 March cancelled | Limerick Forest Rally | Rockchapel | Limerick Motor Club |
3 | 28 March cancelled | Moonraker Forest Rally | Ballyvourney | Munster Car Club |
4 | 17 May cancelled | Sean Conlon Memorial Forestry Rally | Tipperary | Tipperary Car Club |
5&6 | 25–26 July cancelled | Jim Walsh Forest Rally | Mallow | Cork Motor Club |
7 | 26 September cancelled | Bushwhacker Rally | Omagh | Omagh Motor Club |
2019
The calendar consisted of seven events, with a reserve Bushwhacker Rally on 21 September, which ended up not being included as a championship round.
The overall champion: Cathan McCourt, Ford Fiesta R5 [10]
Round | Dates | Event | Rally HQ | Organizer |
---|---|---|---|---|
1[11] | 20 January | Willie Loughman Forest Rally | Slieverue | Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club |
2[12] | 3 March | Limerick Forest Rally | Rockchapel | Limerick Motor Club |
3[13] | 13 April | Moonraker Forest Rally | Ballyvourney | Munster Car Club |
4[14] | 18 May | Donegal Forest Rally | Bundoran | Donegal Motor Club |
5&6[15][16] | 27–28 July | Jim Walsh Forest Rally | Mallow | Cork Motor Club |
7[10][17] | 7 September | Lakeland Stages Rally | Enniskillen | Enniskillen Motor Club |
Top 10 drivers overall:
|
2018
The calendar consisted of seven events. Round 4 was pushed forward by two weeks.
The overall champion: Josh Moffet, Ford Fiesta R5
Round | Dates | Event | Rally HQ | Organizer |
---|---|---|---|---|
1[18][19] | 3 February | Willie Loughman Forest Rally | Slieverue | Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club |
2 | 4 March | Limerick Forest Rally | Rockchapel | Limerick Motor Club |
3 | 14 April | Moonraker Forest Rally | Ballyvourney | Munster Car Club |
4 | 14 July | Cavan Forest Rally | ? | Cavan Motor Club |
5 | 29 July | Jim Walsh Forest Rally | Mallow | Cork Motor Club |
6 | 1 September | Lakeland Stages Rally | Enniskillen | Enniskillen Motor Club |
7 | 22 September | Bushwhacker Rally | Omagh | Omagh Motor Club |
Top 10 drivers overall:
|
- Note: # - did not start
2017
The calendar originally consisted of seven events, however round 2 was cancelled. The best 5 results counted towards championship points.
The overall champion: Sam Moffet, Ford Fiesta WRC
Round | Dates | Event | Rally HQ | Organizer |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 12 February | Willie Loughman Forest Rally | Slieverue | Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club |
2 (cancelled) | 4 March | Sean Conlon Memorial Forestry Rally | Tipperary | Tipperary Car Club |
3 | 8 April | Moonraker Forest Rally | Ballyvourney | Munster Car Club |
4 | 13 May | Donegal Forest Rally | Bundoran | Donegal Motor Club |
5 | 30 July | Jim Walsh Forest Rally | Mallow | Cork Motor Club |
6 | 2 September | Lakeland Stages Rally | Enniskillen | Enniskillen Motor Club |
7 | 23 September | Bushwhacker Rally | Omagh | Omagh Motor Club |
Top 10 drivers overall:
|
- Note: # - did not start
Sponsors
The main event sponsors are the Coillte - the national forestry company, and Valvoline - the overall title sponsor.
Other sponsors include: M O’Brien Plant Hire, Suirway Forklifts, Gordon Automotive, Andrew Fanning Motor Factors, Automatic Fire & Integrated Solutions, EARS Motorsport Ireland Ltd, Exact Signs, SVS Productions, Onthepacenote.com, Pat Kerley Windows & Doors, C and M Motors, Modern Tyres.
Broadcasting
The TV coverage is captured by On the Limit Sports. The viewers can view the series on TG4 and RTE Player in Ireland, as well as on satellite channel and Motorsport.tv.
References
- ^ "2020 Calendar :: Irish Forest Rally, Dublin, Ireland". www.irishforestrally.com.
- ^ "rally.ie - Stories - 2020 Irish Forest Rally Championship". rally.ie.
- ^ "Munster CC Moonraker Forestry Rally - DATE CHANGE 28 Mar 20". rally.ie. 2020-02-27. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
- ^ "Motorsport Ireland Statement on Covid-19". Motorsport Ireland. 2020-03-12. Retrieved 2020-03-14.
- ^ "Munster CC Moonraker Forestry Rally - DATE CHANGE 28 Mar 20 - POSTPONED". rally.ie. 2020-03-12. Retrieved 2020-03-14.
- ^ "MOTORSPORT IRELAND STATEMENT ON COVID-19". Motorsport Ireland. 2020-03-20. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
- ^ "At a glance: What restrictions are going to be lifted and when?". 2020-05-06. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
- ^ "A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO & PRESIDENT OF MOTORSPORT IRELAND". 2020-05-06. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
- ^ "MOTORSPORT IRELAND RALLY CHAMPIONSHIPS CANCELLED". 2020-05-19. Retrieved 2020-05-22.
- ^ a b "Motorsport Ireland News > Lakelands Rally concludes the 2019 Forestry Championship". motorsportireland.com.
- ^ "2018 Valvoline Motorsport Ireland National Forest Rally Championship Round 1 Preview - Carrick on Su :: Irish Forest Rally, Dublin, Ireland". www.irishforestrally.com.
- ^ "2019 Forestry Rally". www.limerickmc.ie.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Highl, News (May 18, 2019). "Victory for Cathan McCourt in Donegal Forestry Rally".
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has generic name (help) - ^ "Rally ready to roar around Mallow". independent.
- ^ "Motorsport Ireland News > 2018 Valvoline Motorsport Ireland National Forest Rally Championship Rounds 4 & 5 Preview". www.motorsportireland.com.
- ^ "Henry/Connolly in command at Lakeland Rally". www.irishexaminer.com. September 9, 2019.
- ^ Latest Sport. "Midwest Radio - Success for Murphy family at Willie Loughman Memorial Forest Rally". Midwestradio.ie. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
- ^ "Urgent Notice to all Competitor's". www.carrickonsuirmotorclub.com.