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Willie Loughman Forest Rally

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Willie Loughman Forest Rally
CategoryRally
Inaugural season1985
Drivers' championNorthern Ireland James Wilson
Co-Drivers' championRepublic of Ireland Arthur Kierans
Irish Forest Rally Championship
Current season
South East Stages Rally Championship
Current season
National Rally Championship (1985–1988)
Willie Loughman Forest Rally
DatesFebruary 15, 2020 (2020-02-15) - February 16, 2020 (2020-02-16)
FrequencyAnnual
Location(s)County Tipperary
CountryRepublic of Ireland Ireland
Most recent2020
Organised byCarrick-on-Suir Motor Club
SponsorThe Carraig Hotel
Suirway Forklifts
WebsiteWebsite

The Carrick-on-Suir William Loughman Forestry Rally, William Loughman Memorial Forestry Rally is an annual motorsport forest rallying event held in County Tipperary, Ireland. Promoted and organised by Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club, Wm. Loughman Forestry Rally is long-standing opening round of the Irish Forest Rally Championship.

It was also a stage in South East Stages Rally Championship in 2002 and 2006. It is back on the calendar since 2019.

History

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Starting in 1985 as Carrick-on-Suir Forest Rally, the Willie Loughman Memorial Forestry Rally is Ireland's longest running forestry rally. The event ran every year with exception of 2001 due to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.[1]

In the early years the rally would start at midnight at the forestry gate, follow the route arrows, and finish the stage at the forestry exit gate. The arrow signs were made from tin by Willie Loughman, to whose name the forestry rally is now dedicated.[2]

2020

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The 2020 event was the opening round for the Irish Forest Rally Championship[3] and the South East States Rally Championship. Directed by the Clerk of the Course Liam Mackey, the event consisted of 59.44 stage kilometers and 144.12 road kilometers divided into 6 stages.[4] This year's entry fee was €700. The rally went ahead despite heavy winds and rain caused by Storm Dennis. Out of 70 starters, 48 have reached the finish line. James Wilson, 2018 Billy Coleman Award winner, led the rally from start to finish.[5]

Roll of Honor

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Rally winners [6]
Season Driver Co-driver Car
2020 James Wilson Arthur Kierans Hyundai i20 R5
2019 Marty McCormack Barney Mitchell Škoda Fabia R5
2018 Andrew Purcell Mark Wiley Ford Fiesta R5
2017 Josh Moffett Stephen Thornton Ford Fiesta R5
2016 Sam Moffett James Fulton Ford Fiesta R5
2015 Michael O'Brien James O'Brien Ford Focus RS WRC '08
2014 Josh Moffett Jason McKenna Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
2013 Owen Murphy James O'Brien Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
2012 Craig Breen Gareth Roberts Ford Fiesta S2000
2011 Owen Murphy James O'Brien Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
2010 Pat O'Connell Mark Wiley Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
2009 Trevor J. Harding Andrew Purcell Subaru Impreza 555
2008 Ray Breen Craig Breen Ford Focus RS WRC '04
2007 Stephen Moore Tony McHugh Ford Focus RS WRC '04
2006 Kenny McKinstry Kenny Hull Subaru Impreza S7 WRC '01
2005 Gareth MacHale Paul Nagle Toyota Corolla WRC
2004 Kevin Lynch Francis Regan Subaru Impreza S6 WRC '00
2003 John McCarthy Dan Maguire Subaru Impreza 555
2002 Robbie McGurk Rory Kennedy Subaru Impreza Sti
2001 no rally - outbreak of foot and mouth disease
2000 Peter McCullagh sr. Mark Murphy Ford Escort RS Cosworth
1999 Kenny McKinstry Paddy Toner Subaru Impreza 555
1998 no data
1997 no data
1996 no data
1995 no data
1994 no data
1993 no data
1992 no data
1991 no data
1990 no data
1989 no data
1988 Frank Meagher O'Sullivan Ford Escort RS 1800 MKII
1987 no data
1986 Kevin O'Kane Noel Alexander Talbot Sunbeam Lotus
1985 James Doherty Michael Curley Vauxhall Chevette 2300 HSR
Driver most wins
United Kingdom Kenny McKinstry 2
Republic of Ireland Moffett Josh 2
Republic of Ireland Murphy Owen 2
Driver most starts
Republic of Ireland Sean Benskin 15
Republic of Ireland John Reid 14
Republic of Ireland Gerard Lucey 13
Republic of Ireland Alan Commins 12
Republic of Ireland Ray Benskin sr. 11
Republic of Ireland Gemma Kerley 11
United Kingdom Kevin O'Kane 11
Republic of Ireland James Coleman 10
Republic of Ireland Michael Nevin 10
Republic of Ireland Mark Murply 10
Republic of Ireland Andrew Purcell 10
Most stage wins
Republic of Ireland Andrew Purcell 8
United Kingdom Kevin Lynch 7
Republic of Ireland John McCarthy 7
Republic of Ireland Josh Moffett 7
Republic of Ireland Sam Moffett 7
Republic of Ireland Owen Murphy 7

* as of 2020

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References

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  1. ^ "rally.ie -". rally.ie. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
  2. ^ "History". carrickonsuirmotorclub.com. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
  3. ^ "Motorsport Ireland News > Countdown Begins to 2020 Valvoline Forestry Season". motorsportireland.com. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
  4. ^ "Maps | Willie Loughman Forest Rally 2019". Rally-Maps.com. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
  5. ^ "Motorsport". Irish Independent. 2020-02-17. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
  6. ^ eWRC-results.com. "Carrick Forestry Rally". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 2020-02-07.