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Irish Forest Rally Championship

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Irish Forest Rally Championship
CategoryRallying
CountryIreland
Inaugural season1978
Drivers' championRepublic of Ireland Cathan McCourt (2019)
Official websiteWebsite

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

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2022

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With COVID-19 restrictions effectively being lifted, full event calendar has been announced. Killarney Forestry Rally returned to the calendar after 15 years. Midland Forest Rally is scheduled for a debut, and the round 7 details are yet to be announced.[1] Limerick Forest Rally, Lakeland Stages Rally and Sean Conlon Memorial Forestry Rally have been dropped this year.

2022 event calendar
Round Dates Event Rally HQ Organizer
1 20 February Killarney Forestry Rally Castleisland Killarney and District Motor Club
2 10 April Willie Loughman Forest Rally Carrick-on-Suir Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club
3 22 May cancelled Midland Forest Rally Drumshanbo Midland Motor Club
4 2 July Moonraker Forest Rally Ballyvourney Munster Car Club
5 14 August Jim Walsh Forest Rally Mallow Cork Motor Club
6 17 September Bushwhacker Rally Omagh Omagh Motor Club
7 TBA TBA TBA TBA

Round 1 of the event was stopped after rally driver Eoin McCarthy crashed heavily on stage 4. The competitor was transferred to the hospital, where he died from his injuries. His co-driver Daniel O'Brien only suffered minor injuries.[2][3]

Round 3 of the event was cancelled 16 days before the rally as the organizers lost access and use of tracks of up to 1/3 of the rally mileage.[4]

Results

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Round Winner
1 Desi Henry / Paddy Robinson (Ford Fiesta Rally2)
2 Patrick O'Brien / Stephen O'Brien (Škoda Fabia R5)
3 Cancelled
4 Keith Cronin / Mikie Galvin (VW Polo GTI R5)

2021

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COVID-19 pandemic continued into 2021, and all motorsports events remained suspended. The Irish Forest Rally Championship was by default cancelled, although no announcement was made. As the vaccinations were progressing, at the end of May Motorsport Ireland announced that motorsports events can resume from 7 June, subject to local restrictions.[5] There was no championship, but some of the Irish Forest Rally event dates were announced. Bushwhacker Rally and Lakeland Stages Rally were also announced by Northern Ireland's motor clubs.

Event Proposed date Organizer Status
Moonraker Forest Rally 31 July Munster Car Club Postponed indefinitely on 6 July.[6]
Bushwhacker Rally 18 August Omagh Motor Club Entries opened 26 August. Starting grid consisted of 114 starters.[7]
Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally 22 August Cork Motor Club Cancelled on 4 July.[8][9]
Lakeland Stages Rally 4 September Enniskillen Motor Club Cancelled on 26 August.[10]
Sean Conlon Memorial Forestry Rally 23 October Tipperary Car Club Not planned originally, announced on 25 September.[11][12]

2020

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The 2020 calendar included 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.[13][14]

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.[15]

On 12 March all motorsports events were postponed in the light of the coronavirus pandemic.[16][17] On 20 March, Motorsport Ireland issued a statement that all motorsport events are suspended until 1 June 2020.[18] After the government released a road map on easing the COVID-19 restrictions on 6 May,[19] 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.[20] On 19 May Motorsport Ireland cancelled the 2020 championship.[21] 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.

2020 event calendar before cancellation
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

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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: Republic of Ireland Cathan McCourt, Ford Fiesta R5[22]

Round Dates Event Rally HQ Organizer
1[23] 20 January Willie Loughman Forest Rally Slieverue Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club
2[24] 3 March Limerick Forest Rally Rockchapel Limerick Motor Club
3[25] 13 April Moonraker Forest Rally Ballyvourney Munster Car Club
4[26] 18 May Donegal Forest Rally Bundoran Donegal Motor Club
5&6[27][28] 27–28 July Jim Walsh Forest Rally Mallow Cork Motor Club
7[22][29] 7 September Lakeland Stages Rally Enniskillen Enniskillen Motor Club

Top 10 drivers overall:

Pos Driver Car Class 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
  Points  Points (best 5)
1 Cathan McCourt Ford Fiesta R5 5 13 3 21 21 18 18 19 113 97
2 Michael Carbin Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 20 9 19 16 16 13 15 15 103 81
3 Sam Moffett Ford Fiesta R5 5 17 0 0 0 19 21 21 78 78
4 Niall McCullagh Ford Fiesta R5 4 15 2 11 19 14 13 17 91 78
5 Conor McCourt Ford Fiesta R5 5 11 2 1 18 17 16 16 81 78
6 Joe Hegarty Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 20 8 9 17 17 7 1 14 73 65
7 David Crossen Ford Escort Mk2 13 1 17 15 15 11 0 1 60 59
8 Martin McKenna Ford Fiesta WRC 7 0 2 7 13 15 14 10 61 59
9 Barry McKenna Ford Fiesta R5 5 16 1 1 0 21 19 0 58 58
10 Niall Henry Citroen DS3 R5 5 14 7 19 1 0 0 15 56 56

2018

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The calendar consisted of seven events. Round 4 was pushed forward by two weeks.

The overall champion: Republic of Ireland Josh Moffet, Ford Fiesta R5

Round Dates Event Rally HQ Organizer
1[30][31] 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:

Pos Driver Car Class 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
  Points  Points (best 5)
1 Josh Moffet Ford Fiesta R5 5 2 21 19 18 21 21 21 123 103
2 Barry McKenna Ford Fiesta R5 5 19 19 21 19 19 1 # 98 97
3 Cathan McCourt Citroen DS3 R5 5 1 17 1 15 17 19 19 89 87
4 Stephen McCann Ford Fiesta S2000 5 18 16 17 16 16 16 4 103 83
5 Andrew Purcell Ford Fiesta R5 5 21 18 1 21 18 1 # 80 79
6 Donall Sweeney Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6 20 # 14 16 10 13 1 0 54 54
7 Conor McCourt Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 4 13 2 # 11 14 13 1 54 53
8 Adrian Hetherington Ford Escort RS1800 15 1 # 1 17 1 18 15 53 52
9 Shane McGirr Toyota Starlet RWD 13 1 11 13 13 12 1 0 51 50
10 Mickey Conlon Ford Escort Mk2 14 11 10 10 8 9 2 0 50 48
  • Note: # - did not start

2017

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The calendar originally consisted of seven events, however round 2 was cancelled. The best 5 results counted towards championship points.

The overall champion: Republic of Ireland 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:

Pos Driver Car Class 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
  Points  Points (best 5)
1 Sam Moffet Ford Fiesta WRC 5 19 - 19 # 21 19 19 97 97
2 David Crossen Ford Escort Mk2 13 10 - 11 19 18 16 12 86 76
3 Gerard Lucey Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 20 13 - 16 16 16 13 # 74 74
4 Jonny Leonard Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6 20 14 - 15 1 19 2 16 67 66
5 Josh Moffett Ford Fiesta R5 5 21 - 21 # # 21 # 63 63
6 Jordan Hone Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 4 1 - 14 2 17 15 8 57 56
7 Adrian Hetherington Ford Fiesta R5 15 16 - 17 1 1 1 18 54 53
8 Mickey Conlon Ford Escort Mk2 13 8 - 9 17 11 # 5 50 50
9 Liam Regan Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 20 11 - 13 # # 12 14 50 50
10 Enda McCormack Subaru Impreza S10 7 7 - 12 13 15 2 # 49 49
  • Note: # - did not start

Sponsors

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The main event sponsors are the Coillte - the national forestry company, and Valvoline - the overall title sponsor.[citation needed]

Broadcasting

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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

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  1. ^ "Countdown Begins to 2022 Irish Forest Rally Season". 12 January 2022.
  2. ^ https://www.facebook.com/MotorsportIreland/posts/pfbid03848AQ249UGTSMYAvsRRS4jYrMVfdqDiwCiqCsBRyKiTGYSUdJoSVeeFqLM62udMLl [user-generated source]
  3. ^ "Tributes pour in for Dunmanway driver Eoin McCarthy after tragic death at Killarney Forestry Rally".
  4. ^ "Rally.ie - Stories - Midland Forest Rally - 22 May 22 - CANCELLED".
  5. ^ "Motorsport Ireland confirms gated motorsport can restart from June 7th".
  6. ^ "Moonraker postponed, Cork Forestry cancelled as rally crisis continues". 6 July 2021.
  7. ^ "Bushwhacker Rally".
  8. ^ "Club Statement: 2021 Forestry". 4 July 2021.
  9. ^ "Rally.ie - Stories - Cork Forestry Rally - 22 Aug 21 - CANCELLED".
  10. ^ "Rally.ie - Stories - EMC Lakeland Stages - (Sat) 4 Sep 21 - CANCELLED".
  11. ^ "Home". Tipperarymotorclub.weebly.com. 2022-07-17. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  12. ^ "Rally.ie - Stories - Tipperary Sean Conlon Forestry Rally - NEW DATE 23 Oct 21 - CANCELLED".
  13. ^ "2020 Calendar :: Irish Forest Rally, Dublin, Ireland". www.irishforestrally.com.
  14. ^ "rally.ie - Stories - 2020 Irish Forest Rally Championship". rally.ie.
  15. ^ "Munster CC Moonraker Forestry Rally - DATE CHANGE 28 Mar 20". rally.ie. 2020-02-27. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
  16. ^ "Motorsport Ireland Statement on Covid-19". Motorsport Ireland. 2020-03-12. Archived from the original on 2020-03-20. Retrieved 2020-03-14.
  17. ^ "Munster CC Moonraker Forestry Rally - DATE CHANGE 28 Mar 20 - POSTPONED". rally.ie. 2020-03-12. Retrieved 2020-03-14.
  18. ^ "MOTORSPORT IRELAND STATEMENT ON COVID-19". Motorsport Ireland. 2020-03-20. Archived from the original on 2020-04-18. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
  19. ^ "At a glance: What restrictions are going to be lifted and when?". RTÉ.ie. 2020-05-06. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
  20. ^ "A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO & PRESIDENT OF MOTORSPORT IRELAND". 2020-05-06. Archived from the original on 2020-08-14. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
  21. ^ "MOTORSPORT IRELAND RALLY CHAMPIONSHIPS CANCELLED". 2020-05-19. Archived from the original on 2020-05-27. Retrieved 2020-05-22.
  22. ^ a b "Motorsport Ireland News > Lakelands Rally concludes the 2019 Forestry Championship". motorsportireland.com.
  23. ^ "2018 Valvoline Motorsport Ireland National Forest Rally Championship Round 1 Preview - Carrick on Su :: Irish Forest Rally, Dublin, Ireland". www.irishforestrally.com.
  24. ^ "2019 Forestry Rally". www.limerickmc.ie.
  25. ^ "Mondello Park and National Forestry Rally Championship results | SportsNewsIRELAND". www.sportsnewsireland.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  26. ^ Highl, News (May 18, 2019). "Victory for Cathan McCourt in Donegal Forestry Rally". {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  27. ^ "Rally ready to roar around Mallow". independent.
  28. ^ "Motorsport Ireland News > 2018 Valvoline Motorsport Ireland National Forest Rally Championship Rounds 4 & 5 Preview". www.motorsportireland.com.
  29. ^ "Henry/Connolly in command at Lakeland Rally". www.irishexaminer.com. September 9, 2019.
  30. ^ Latest Sport. "Midwest Radio - Success for Murphy family at Willie Loughman Memorial Forest Rally". Midwestradio.ie. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  31. ^ "Urgent Notice to all Competitor's". www.carrickonsuirmotorclub.com.
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