Derek McGarrity leads Circuit of Kerry charge but rising costs hit entry

One of the most popular events in Irish rallying, the Rose Hotel Circuit of Kerry is a perfect illustration of the current difficulties within Irish rallying.

Ulsterman Derek McGarrity (Fiesta WRC) heads Sunday’s entry that is virtually half of what it was last year when it was a counting round of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship.

The Kerry Motor Club event is not a round on this occasion due to the biennial rotation system. However, national status is not the real reason for the dramatic 50% drop off — it’s the increase in insurance costs and the fact that Sunday’s rally is the fourth event in a five-week period that has five rallies.