Circuit of Ireland set to be rewarded with IRC series status
It appears the Circuit is in pole position to replace the Rally of Scotland after the latter, that drew great acclaim just a few weeks ago, has date and funding difficulties for 2012. In the IRC’s provisional calendar for 2012, there are issues with rounds at the beginning of the season, including Scotland and the Arctic Rally.
Aside from funding problems, the change of date, from the end of year to early season, for Rally of Scotland, is not suitable due to the start of the breeding period in the Scottish forests for a protected species of grouse. A number of years ago, organisers of Irish forest rallies had to rearrange their events due to similar circumstances. No official announcement has yet been made by the IRC or the Scottish organisers.
Just two years ago, the Circuit of Ireland underwent a fundamental change when Bobby Willis took over the running of an event one dubbed the blue riband of Irish rallying.
He made no secret of his desire to return the rally to its halcyon days and last year, the rally secured IRC support event status.
Understandably, Willis was not willing to comment, however, it seems the Circuit organisers have been made an offer by the IRC for 2012. While this year’s Circuit was based in Armagh and took in some stages south of the border, should the event secure a round of the IRC, there are strong suggestions that Belfast could be the new base to coincide with events to mark the centenary of the Titanic.
It is possible every stage will take place in Northern Ireland, keeping it within the confines of one ASN (governing body), in this case, the MSA, the British equivalent of Motorsport Ireland.
The Irish crew of Kris Meeke/Paul Nagle are former winners (2009) of the IRC that was set up in 2006 and has become very popular with factory teams such as Peugeot, Skoda, Ford, Proton and Honda.
Meanwhile, the final round of the Cyprus Rally continues today. The series rests between Skoda pair, Jan Kopecky (131pts) and Juha Hanninen (125pts) and Peugeot’s Thierry Neuville (115). Andreas Mikkelsen, who won the last round in Scotland, has a total of 111 points.
Tomorrow’s, Glens of Antrim Rally, the final round of the Hankook Tyres Northern Ireland Championship, has been cancelled due to a lack of entries.
World Rally Championship academy series contender, Craig Breen is the leading entry for Sunday’s Tom Geraghty/Bridgestone Rallysprint at the Waterford Airport Industrial Estate.
The Waterford ace will pilot the Ford Focus WRC that his father, Ray drove to victory in the 2005 Dunlop National Rally Championship.
However, he may not be able to take part in all five timed runs as he is due to depart for next week’s Rally GB before the sprint ends.
Elsewhere, the National Navigation Trial series continues with the Cork Startrek Navigation event that begins from Lismire at 11.30pm tomorrow night. The Northeast Motor Club’s Autocross at Latton Quarry near Cootehill starts at 10.30am and the Limerick 4x4 Production Vehicle Trial at Barna has an 11am start.
Last year’s winner, Alan Ring (Mitsubishi) will defend his title in next week’s Banna Mini Stage Rally in County Kerry. The event is the final round of the Top Part West Coast Rally Championship with reigning champion, Shane Maguire from Monaghan and Kerry’s Mike Quinn battling for outright victory.
Already in excess of 90 entries, Ed O’Callaghan (Ford Escort) and James Stafford (Darrian) are also amongst the top seeds. Banteer’s Barry Meade (Escort), who was the top Modified driver and fourth overall on last week’s Westlodge Hotel Fastnet Rally, may also compete.
Cork driver, Owen Murphy (Ovens) will receive the top award at the Valvoline Irish Forest Rally Championship prizegiving at the Clonmel Park Hotel, Clonmel tomorrow night.
The former Billy Coleman award winner was co-driven by Kanturk’s James O’Brien.
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