... keep this for all Irish Tarmac Championship events 2010 Citroën Irish Tarmac Rally Championship is GO! The 2010 Citroën Irish Tarmac Rally Championship gets into full swing this weekend with round one of Ireland's premier rally series taking competitors to Oranmore, County Galway! The Safety Direct Galway International Rally is the traditional season opener, and the event has received a top class entry with more than 100 crews set to commence battle on Galway's challenging closed roads. The 2010 Citroën Racing Trophy also forms part of the Citroën Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, and almost 20 crews have entered the opening round. They will be tussling for prize money totalling almost €20,000! However, missing from the entry is last year's Galway winner and reigning champion, Eugene Donnelly. The Maghera man, who holds a record equalling five Irish Tarmac Rally Championship titles, is struggling to put a deal together to contest this year's series. "I don't really know what I'm going to do yet," Donnelly commented. "I'm not going to Galway but I'll take stock of things over the next couple of months and see if I can put something together for the Circuit of Ireland. I'd say it's going to be a difficult year to get something sorted." With Donnelly missing from the entry, Gareth MacHale and Brian Murphy are the number one seeds in their Ford Focus WRC. Last year saw MacHale claim his maiden Tarmac Championship victory, and he will be hungry to add more wins to his tally during the 2010 season. At number two, Tim McNulty and Paul Kiely will provide stiff opposition in their Subaru Impreza WRC, while County Cork's Keith Cronin, who is the reigning British Rally Champion, also intends to contest this year's Citroën sponsored series. He starts at number three in Galway, ahead of Aaron MacHale, Patrick Elliott and Kevin Barrett. Cronin is among the leading lights in Group N, and with bonus championship points up for grabs for all non-World Rally Car entrants, the showroom category might well spring a surprise or two. Kenny McKinstry is the only driver to have sealed the overall honours in a Group N car, and that was back in 1991. Could there be a repeat performance this year? Cronin will certainly be trying his best, along with fellow Group N contestants Alastair Fisher and Garry Jennings. Meanwhile, Craig Breen will give the Ford Fiesta Super 2000 its competitive debut on Irish soil, and the reigning Fiesta SportTrophy Ireland, UK and International champion could give the series regulars a run for their money. The Safety Direct Galway International Rally, which also incorporates a round of the Historic Championship and Modified Challenge, gets underway this Friday evening with a ceremonial start in Oranmore. Competitors will tackle stages on Saturday and Sunday, and the winner will be crowned on Sunday afternoon. More details can be found online at IrishTarmac.com - Citroen Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. ENDS. 2010 Safety Direct Galway International Rally - top 10 entrants 1 Gareth MacHale/Brian Murphy (Ford Focus WRC) 2 Tim McNulty/Paul Kiely (Subaru Impreza WRC) 3 Keith Cronin/Barry McNulty (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 4 Aaron MacHale/TBA (Ford Focus WRC) 5 Patrick Elliott/Paul Goodman (Subaru Impreza WRC) 6 Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza WRC) 7 Alastair Fisher/Rory Kennedy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 8 Garry Jennings/David Moynihan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 9 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (Ford Fiesta S2000) 10 Mike Bird/Kevin Keane (Subaru Impreza WRC) Additional information can be found online at IrishTarmac.com - Citroen Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
Galway starts today, must be the least hyped start to a season I can remember. I've no real interest in the ITC anymore, always did prefer gravel... Roll on the NIRC. I am looking forward to Donegal though.
i was just thinking that gaza sitting looking at my emails thinking there has been no event PR's sent to me really, and i've not even considered going to any ITC events which isn't like me either as i have been in galway the last few years lol roll on the NIRC is right hopefully get the helmet on for a few rounds
For those who are interested, good to see McNulty where he is - hope he can keep it up plus Cronin is already out after an off at the end of SS2. Breen also doing well in the Fester S2000 and Marty McCormack a cracking drive so far in the C2... :: RallyNews.net :: Galway International Rally RALLY NEWS No.3 - After SS3 - Saturday @ 11:34:10 AM RALLY NEWS NO.3 Service/Saturday 11.30 UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 3 Colmanstown 1st (2) Tim McNulty/Paul Kiely (Impreza WRC) 24.17.6 2nd (1) Gareth MacHale/Brian Murphy (Focus WRC) 24.20.2 3rd (7) Alastair Fisher/Rory Kennedy (Lancer N) 24.49.8 4th (9) Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (Fiesta S2000) 24.50.7 5th (4) Aaron MacHale/Eugene O'Donnell (Focus WRC) 24.53.7 6th Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Impreza WRC) 25.24.3 7th (12) Richard Cathcart/Martin Brady (Lancer N) 26.02.4 8th (15) Jer O'Donovan/Sean Hayde (Impreza N) 26.12.7 9th (30) Marty McCormack/Dai Roberts (C2R2 Max) 26.26.4 10th (29) Sean Flanagan/Brian Duggan (Impreza N) 26.28.8 NATIONALS 1st Daniel McKenna: 2nd Barry Meade: Both in Escorts. Pat Kelly 3rd in his Impreza. Tim McNulty recorded fastest time through stage 3 to move into the lead of this Safety Direct Galway International Rally. Tim was just over 3s faster than Gareth MacHale. Gareth is struggling slightly with the power steering on his Focus WRC. We reported on the last RallyNews that Keith Cronin had an accident at the end of stage 2 and although he got his stage time his Lancer was not able to continue. Tim McNulty looked a bit stressed when he came in here to service but he said. “No, we are alright. It is very slippy out there. We dropped some time on the 2nd stage, nothing mad on the 3rd but a good time”. Gareth MacHale said. “My arms are sore wrestling with the wheel and I am having to hand brake on the tight corners which is no good”. Aaron MacHale told us he stopped briefly on stage 2 to make sure that Keith Cronin was OK. Aaron also had a little difficulty with the launch control of his Focus but had a good time through stage 3. Kevin Barrett made a cautious start as he bedded in having switched to Pirelli tyres for this season and his confidence is now coming. Alastair Fisher said. “We had a bit of a moment on the first stage which was upsetting but we’ve got a nice pace now. It would be easy to get caught out on these stages”. Craig Breen is doing a great job in the new Fiesta S2000 and he is very gradually upping his pace as he settles in to the new car. Craig was 3rd fastest o/a through that stage 3. Marty McCormack is leading the Citroen C2R2 Max charge and also leading class 3 and said here at service that his car was just a little bit loose at the back but otherwise OK. Further stories from the opening loop of stages include: Local man Mike Bird stalled his Impreza WRC at the start of stage 3 and also had a half spin. Alan Ring made a very brave tyre choice and ran on slicks which has cost him time. Tommy Doyle has lost time with a broken exhaust on his Renault Clio. Daragh O’Riordan also in a Clio picked slick tyres that didn’t really work in the conditions. We have no time in yet for Jonny Greer after stage 3. He had been off on stage 2 but got going. Mark Nangle struggled through 3 with his Impreza stuck in 3rd gear and managed to get the car in here to service. Declan Leonard put his Citroen C2R2 off the road on the first stage after being caught out on cold tyres. The car has only light damage and he hopes to get going on the Sunday leg. Jer O’Donovan is another who has switched to Pirelli tyres and he’s going well, up to 8th o/a. Tom Curley spun on stage 3 and his Lancer hit a stone, still going. Stephen Hernon has pulled out of the rally after damaging his Lancer in an accident. He was able to drive back to service and damage wasn’t too bad. More news later: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON :: RallyNews.net *For SMS results text RALLY ITC to 53030 (Irl) or 60066 (UK): Text STOP to switch off: Cost 30c/25p: Provided by stagetimes.com
Is Tim McNulty out? Craig Breen looks like the real deal. Mind you its basically a works car, but powerful drive none the less.
1 1 Gareth MacHale/Brian Murphy Ford Focus 6 O/A 2:13:55.3 2 9 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts Ford Fiesta S2000 5 O/A 2:15:38.3 1:43.0 1:43.0 3 4 Aaron Machale/Eugene O'Donnell Ford Focus WRC 6 O/A 2:17:16.1 3:20.8 1:37.8 4 7 Alastair Fisher/Rory Kennedy Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 5 O/A 2:17:22.3 3:26.0 0:06.2 5 6 Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally Subaru Impreza WRC S11 6 O/A 2:19:38.5 5:43.2 2:16.2 6 14 Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 5 1 2:23:01.6 9:06.3 3:23.1 7 10 Mike Bird/Kevin Keane Subaru Impreza WRC S7 6 1 2:25:42.5 11:47.2 2:40.9 8 24 Eamon Daly/Anthony O'Connaill Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 5 2 2:26:33.3 12:37.0 0:50.8 9 51 Sam Moffett/James O'Reilly Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 5 3 2:27:18.5 13:23.2 0:45.2 10 41 Conor Harvey/Gerard Callaghan Honda Civic R3 4 1 2:27:58.1 14:02.8 0:39.6
Aye, good publicity for the big man (I'm hoping I get some free buns for pointing this out, but I'll accept a blast in the Evo) I'm marshalling at it and if everything comes off it's gonna be an epic event - they're hoping a number IRC regulars enter.
lol. cheers guys.. Free buns you say... hmmm... Nice to be used for PR of the Circuit of ireland!! Also in Motorsport news/belfast telegraph they used another pic of me also to announce the IRC supporter event.
Gareth MacHale claims victory at round one of Citroën Irish Tarmac Rally Championship! Gareth MacHale jump-started his bid for a maiden Citroën Irish Tarmac Rally Championship title with victory at last weekend’s Safety Direct Galway International Rally! The event marked round one of Ireland’s premier rally championship, and a total of 66 competitors have registered for this year’s series. That marks a 20 percent increase in Championship registrations, which bodes well for an excellent 2010 season. MacHale and navigator Brian Murphy secured the Galway International Rally spoils with an emphatic victory over the Ford Fiesta S2000 of Craig Breen and Gareth Roberts. Aaron MacHale and Eugene O’Donnell finished third in their WRC Focus after a weekend long tussle with the overall Group N winners, Alistair Fisher and Rory Kennedy. MacHale just pipped Fisher on the last stage to gain the final place on the podium alongside his brother Gareth. This was the first time that two brothers finished in the top three of an International rally - another first for the MacHale dynasty! Championship Manager, Don Wilmont, said: “The performance of Craig Breen in the Super 2000 car, as well as Keith Cronin and Alistair Fisher in their Group N cars, clearly showed that they are very close to the World Rally Car pace. All Group N cars are now permitted to run with larger restrictors, and I think we can look forward to a very close battle for the overall Championship title.” Craig Breen’s and Gareth Roberts’ second overall was a very impressive finish in what was the Ford Fiesta S2000’s debut on Irish soil. And with bonus championship points on offer for the first three non-WRC finishers, Breen leaves the event only one point adrift of MacHale in Championship terms. Fourth placed Alistair Fisher and sixth placed Alan Ring, who was navigated by Adrian Deasy, also received bonus points. The event also marked the opening round of the Citroën Racing Trophy series, with Marty McCormack and Dai Roberts leading the category throughout most of the event. However, they suffered a puncture late on Sunday afternoon, allowing Robert Barrable and navigator Damien Connolly to take the victory. McCormack finished second while Shane Buckley and Thomas Maguire were third. Meanwhile, in the Modified Challenge category, Daniel McKenna and Andrew Grennan sealed victory after a stunning drive in their Ford Escort, while Ray Cunningham and Adrian Cusack took the Historic category in their Mini Cooper. Aidan O’Connor and Ian Regan won the award for Classic cars while Martin and Linda Ward won the Post-Historic category. With round one of the Citroën Irish Tarmac Rally Championship completed, all eyes are now looking towards round two, the Circuit of Ireland Rally. The event will take place over the Easter weekend, and more details are available from IrishTarmac.com - Citroen Irish Tarmac Rally Championship and Welcome to Circuit of Ireland 2010. Safety Direct Galway International Rally – top 10 1 Gareth MacHale/Brian Murphy (Focus WRC) 2h13m55.3s 2 Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (Fiesta S2000) 2h15m38.3s 3 Aaron MacHale/Eugene O’Donnell (Focus WRC) 2h17m16.1s 4 Alistair Fisher/Rory Kennedy (Lancer Evo 9) 2h17m22.3s 5 Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Impreza WRC) 2h19m38.5s 6 Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Lancer Evo 9) 2h23m01.6s 7 Mike Bird/Kevin Keane (Impreza WRC) 2h25m42.5s 8 Eamon Daly/Anthony O’Connaill (Lancer Evo 9) 2h26m33.3s 9 Sam Moffett/James O’Reilly (Lancer Evo 9) 2h27m18.5s 10 Conor Harvey/Gerard Callaghan (Civic R3) 2h27m58.1s Citroën Irish Tarmac Rally Championship Standings after round one 1 Gareth MacHale 16 points 2 Craig Breen 15 points 3 Aaron MacHale 10 points 4 Alastair Fisher 10 points 5 Kevin Barrett 7 points 6 Alan Ring 7 points Additional information can be found online at IrishTarmac.com - Citroen Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
Can we go back to separate threads for events? Pretty please? Everythign kinds gets lost in one to be honest.
From what Cess was saying earlier, yes. 11.10 I think on UTV. I'll have to download it at a later date.
some incar..... [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0-FZK_NPl4]YouTube - Galway International Rally 2010 * In Car * Craig Breen & Gareth Roberts * ss15[/ame]
went to galway this year, weather was fantastic and so was the action. missed donnelly, bolland etc but still realy enjoyed the rally, roll on the circut!!