TROA rule changes set to sharpen 2026 tarmac title race as Rally of the Lakes inquiry decision awaited

The TROA changes are likely to lead to a more competitive championship in 2026 and a greater possibility that the quest for the Fisher Family Trophy will go down to the wire.

Thu, 18 Dec, 2025 - 12:49

Martin Walsh

As the Tarmac Rally Organisers Association (TROA) have made important tweaks to next year's Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, the outcome of the recent Motorsport Ireland Court of Inquiry into matters relating to, and surrounding this year's Rally of the Lakes, is still awaited. Indeed, a second inquiry on the same day was deferred and given that a date has yet to be set for that hearing - also on issues relating to the Killarney event - the Irish Examiner understands that it could well be that the second inquiry needs to happen before the decision of the inquiry of December 6th is published. The offices of Motorsport Ireland close for its Christmas/New Year holidays at 1.00pm today and will reopen on January 5th.

Meanwhile, the TROA changes are likely to lead to a more competitive championship in 2026 and a greater possibility that the quest for the Fisher Family Trophy will go down to the wire. In the series just ended, Derry's Callum Devine, who missed the West Cork Rally (the opening round in the light of the then postponement of the Galway International) went on to wrap up series with four straight wins without having to tackle the final round.

The changes for the 2026 NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship will only allow competitors drop one score from the championship's seven rounds. Previously, albeit aside from this year, it was the best five from seven events to count. The new system will be adopted across the International, Modified and Junior categories. The Historic series, that features eight rounds (including the recent Killarney Historic Rally) will be based on the best six results from its eight-round calendar.

The second change - a key issue - that could well bring the series to the final round is that the last round will, in terms of championship points, have a 1.5 co-efficient.

In addition to the aforementioned changes, the TROA also announced that there will be a controlled fuel policy for registered competitors in its international category. It adds that ELF Racing Fuel will be made available by a dedicated supplier - Euro M-Sport.

Previously, a fuel controversy threatened the sport and led to self-refuelling in a separate area close to or sometimes within the designated service park.

Meanwhile, in the Motor Sport Council section on the Motorsport Ireland website under ADC's (Actions, Decisions and Communications) - a summary of the September MSC meeting, it was stated that the office (Motorsport Ireland) will ensure the correct paperwork is in place before Euro M-sport are allowed to return to the refuelling zone. Self-refuelling will continue.

Corrib Oil are to continue its association with the Galway International Rally and will underpin next season's ITRC opener on January 31/February 1. This week the club confirmed that the 2026 iteration will be the exact same as what was planned this year but fell victim to Storm Éowyn. A total of fifteen stages will be spread across the two days - a triple run over a three stage loop in the Headford/ Tuam area on the Saturday and loop of three stages (repeated) in Monivea on the Sunday. The service park will be based at Galway Airport.

Organisers of the Clonakilty Park West Cork Rally (the second round of the series) are also in announcement mode this week. Their event (March 13/15) will be of a three-day format with a pair of stages on the Friday night with the first stage beginning at the bottom of Barrack Hill in the centre of the town with little road mileage to the start of the second stage. On the Saturday, the traditional Ring stage and another at Kilbrittain, are both repeated while the afternoon action is two runs of the Dunworley and Clogagh stages. Sunday's loop of three stages - Ballinacarriga, Sam's Cross and Ardfield - will be repeated ahead of the afternoon (3.30pm) finish ramp celebrations in Emmet Square.

The rounds/dates of the 2026 NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship are: 1. Galway International (January 31/February 1); 2. West Cork Rally (March 13/15); 3. Circuit of Ireland Rally (April 3/4): 4. Rally of the Lakes (May 2/3); 5. Donegal International Rally (June 19/21); 6. Ulster International Rally (August 7/8); 7. Cork '20' Rally (September 26/27).