Motorsport: Galway International Rally not taking place next year 

NOT TAKING PLACE: The Galway International Rally, the traditional opening round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship will not take place next year following a decision by the Motor Sport Council (MSC) not to grant the Galway Motor Club a date for a stage rally in 2024. Pic: Hany Marzouk

The Galway International Rally, the traditional opening round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship will not take place next year following a decision by the Motor Sport Council (MSC) not to grant the Galway Motor Club a date for a stage rally in 2024. Indeed, the decision also means the Galway Summer Rally, a counting round of the national championship, has also been canned.

It appears there was tension in the lead up to last February’s event between Motorsport Ireland officials and the organising team within the Galway Motor Club. In addition, pre-event scrutiny was interrupted due to permit/insurance problems and one of the Saturday stages was cancelled when a vehicle was parked in what was considered to be dangerous position.