Tarmac Rally sets record straight on co-driver championship

The Tarmac Rally Organisers Association (TROA) has dismissed claims that a co-driver was denied victory in the series.

Derry's Callum Devine (right) and Killarney's Noel O'Sullivan celebrate their victory in last week's Modern Tyres Ulster Rally where Devine clinched his second Irish Tarmac Rally Championship title in three years. O'Sullivan didn't register for this year's series. Picture: Martin Walsh.

Motorsport

The Tarmac Rally Organisers Association (TROA), organisers of the NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, have dismissed claims on a social media platform that a co-driver (Killarney's Noel O'Sullivan) was denied victory in the series. Last weekend, Derry's Callum Devine clinched his second Tarmac Championship title in three years with a start to finish victory in the Modern Tyres Ulster Rally, where he was co-driven by O'Sullivan.

Reports on a number of websites stated that win meant Devine/O'Sullivan took "their second Irish Tarmac Rally Championship title", but that has been rejected by the championship organisers. A claim that O'Sullivan along with Welshman Patrick Walsh and Wexford's Andy Hayes will vie for the top co-drivers' award on the O'Connell Group Cork '20' Rally (October 4/5) has also been deemed wide of the mark.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, ITRC manager Sean Hayde said: "Those claims are incorrect. Registration for the series opened last November and the onus is on the competitor to register for the series in order to be eligible for championship points."

While Devine was unsure of committing to the series after missing the West Cork Rally (the opening round) he still registered and took maximum points following his Circuit of Ireland victory. O'Sullivan didn't register prior to the Circuit, nor before his home event in Killarney or prior to the Donegal International that marked the cut-off point. 

Hayde added: "It was pointed out (after Killarney) to Noel O'Sullivan that he hadn't registered. A detailed check of our registration system showed no attempt (by O'Sullivan) was made to register. I subsequently notified Noel of this." 

During the season, the matter was referenced in the Irish Examiner, stating that O'Sullivan hadn't registered for the championship. Hayde added: "The onus is on the competitor and that's the bottom line." 

The co-drivers' title will now be decided on the O'Connell Group Cork '20' Rally on October 4/5 between Welshman Patrick Walsh and Wexford's Andy Hayes.

Meanwhile, Motorsport Ireland has confirmed it is reviewing official reports of the Assess Ireland Rally of the Lakes where it appears the MI Steward (Chair) left his role on the eve of the event in what was an unprecedented occurrence in Irish rallying. It remains to be seen if the matter will be further investigated.

Motorsport Ireland also clarified why Galway Motor Club decided not to go ahead with the Galway Mini Stage Rally that was fixed for October 12 next. The club's International Rally was postponed last February due to the damage caused by Storm Éowyn. Recently, Motorsport Ireland offered to reimburse the club with the monies they had paid prior to the postponement provided they withdrew the Mini Stage Rally. This offer was accepted by the Galway club. Technically, the Galway International Rally remains postponed but, according to the rules, will automatically be cancelled on December 31 next.

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In motor racing, the west Cork brothers, Robert and Colin Cronin, who race with the Elite Motorsport outfit, are both in action in Brands Hatch in the respective and penultimate rounds of the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT Championship and the Ginetta Junior Championship. Robert is enjoying a good season and is second in the PRO category of the Ginetta GT series where he steers a V8-powered Ginetta G56 GTP8. Keen to add to his victories at Oulton Park and Snetterton and with a race Saturday and another on Sunday, he can close the 41-point deficit to MDD Racing's Archie Clark. In the Junior series, Colin Cronin has one race tomorrow and two on Sunday as he searches for a podium finish.

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Sunday's Rathkeale-based Thomond Mini Stage Rally has local driver Christopher O'Callaghan (Ford Escort) as the top seed. Opposition on the six-stage event comes from Armagh's Jason Black (Toyota Starlet), Monaghan's Johno Doogan, Donegal's Mark Alcorn, Meath's Michael Cahill, Tyrone's Frank Kelly and Meath's Peter Wilson, all in Ford Escorts. The first stage begins at 10.28am. For the first time in Irish rallying and what's seen as a progressive and welcome move, the mandatory safety and medical briefing will be an online process.