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

Derry's Callum Devine (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 ) won the Circuit of Ireland Rally last April before going on to win the Rally of the Lakes (Killarney), the Donegal International Rally and the Ulster International Rally to clinch the Irish Tramac Rally Championship for the second time in two years. Picture: 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.