Irish Tarmac Rally Championship Explained

Category:Rallying
Country/Region:Ireland / Northern Ireland
Inaugural:1978
Champion Driver: Josh Moffett (2022)
Website:Website

The Irish Tarmac Rally Championship (ITRC) is the premier rallying series in Ireland. It is held annually and is promoted by the Tarmac Rally Organisers’ Association (TROA). The Championship takes place over seven events, based in the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland, using special stages, which are run against the clock, on closed public tarmac roads.

The overall Championship title is contested by drivers and co-drivers using cars homologated in FIA classes RC2 (R5/ Rally2), RC3, RC4, RC5 and RG-T. Right Hand Drive Group R5 derivative cars, conforming to Group R5 specification as per Group R5 homologation papers (except for a right-hand drive conversion) can also be used.[1]

Since 2016, WRC cars have not been eligible to score Championship points. However, competitors using WRC cars are able to win events outright.[2] [3]

Three other championships, the ITRC Junior Championship, the ITRC Historic Championship and the ITRC Modified Tarmac Championship, run in parallel with the ITRC, but with different regulations.

History

The ITRC was created following the establishment of TROA in late 1977, when the organisers of the five Irish International rallies and the Manx International Rally came together with the idea of forming a championship. The inaugural Championship began in 1978 and consisted of six events: the Galway International Rally; Circuit of Ireland Rally; Donegal International Rally; Ulster Rally; Cork 20 International Rally; and the Manx International Rally.

The first major change to the series came in 1983, when the Rally of the Lakes attained International status and was installed as the final event in that year's championship.[4] The addition of the Killarney-based round made up for the loss of the Galway International Rally, which did not run. The following year, the Galway International Rally returned and the Rally of the Lakes was retained, expanding the Championship to seven rounds from 1984 on.[5]

The next significant change took place in 2002, when the Jim Clark Rally was added to the series,[6] [7] taking the Championship to eight rounds overall. The Jim Clark Rally was the first Scottish event to form part of the Championship, until it was dropped in 2010, along with the Manx International Rally,[8] mainly due to a decline in the number of ITRC competitors entering both events.

The Championship reverted to seven rounds in 2015, when the West Cork Rally joined the ITRC as a full round, having previously been part the Modified Tarmac Championship calendar in 2014.[9]

Current Format and Event Calendar

The Irish Tarmac Championship consists of seven rounds:[10]

Previous Events

The following events have also been included in the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship in the past:

Points System

Competitors best scores in 5 out of 7 rounds are used to calculate the final Championship standings. Every driver and co-driver finishing each round in the top 10 are awarded championship points, with the winner receiving 17 points. Each finisher outside of the top 10 receives 1.5 points.

A bonus system normally operates during the final round, with additional points on offer to the winners of each leg of the event, as well as for final positions.[12] [13] [14] [15]

2022 season

In July 2021, TROA released a statement regarding their intention to run a full championship in 2022.[16]

Killarney & District Motor Club announced that the Killarney Historic Rally will take place on 27 November 2021. This rally will count as the opening round of the ITRC Historic Championship.[17] [18]

With COVID-19 restrictions effectively coming to an end, a full 2022 calendar was announced by Motorsport Ireland and TROA.[19] [20]

RoundDatesEventRally HQOrganizer
15-6 February
219-20 March
315-16 April
430 April–1 May
517–19 June
630-31 July Cork 20 International RallyMunster Motor Club
719-20 August Ulster International Rally
826 November
Results! Round! Driver! Co-driver! Car
1Josh Moffett Andy Hayes Hyundai i20 R5
2Josh Moffett Andy Hayes Hyundai i20 R5
3Alastair Fisher Gordon Noble Volkswagen Polo GTI R5
4Callum Devine Noel O'Sullivan Volkswagen Polo GTI R5
5Josh Moffett Andy Hayes Hyundai i20 R5

2021 season

In February 2021, the TROA decided to cancel the 2021 Championship. [21] Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland were still subject to restrictions designed to curb the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the TROA announcement cited the uncertainty surrounding the running of championship events during 2021.[22] At the point the decision was taken to cancel the Championship, the opening three rounds of the Championship had already been called off.[23]

2020 season

The 2020 season commenced with the opening round in Galway in February 2020.[24] [25] [26] The West Cork Rally was cancelled on 12 March 2020, due to the global COVID-19 outbreak.[27] [28] On 20 March, Motorsport Ireland issued a statement that all motorsport events were suspended until 1 June 2020, which led to the postponement of the following rounds.[29] Amidst on-going restrictions aimed at curbing the effects of the pandemic, the board of directors and executive of TROA made the unanimous decision to cancel the 2020 Championship on 28 April 2020.[30] [31] [32]

2020 event calendar before cancellation! Round! Dates! Event! Rally HQ! Organizer! Status
12 February Ok
214–15 March Cancelled
310-11 April
42–3 May
519–21 June
621–22 August Ulster International Rally
726–27 September Cork 20 International RallyMunster Motor Club

2019 season

Galway International Rally returned to the calendar in 2019, following the cancellation of the 2018 event. The Easter Stages Rally replaced the Circuit of Ireland Rally event for the third year in a row.

The overall champion was Craig Breen, co-driven by Paul Nagle, after winning five rounds.[33] [34]

RoundDatesEventRally HQOrganizer
110 February Galway Motor Club
216–17 MarchCork Motor Club
32 June
44–5 May
521–23 June
616–17 August Ulster Rally
728–29 September Cork 20 RallyMunster Motor Club

Top 10 ITRC drivers overall:[35] [36]

PosDriverCar1
2
3
4
5
6
7
 Points
1Craig BreenFord Fiesta R5
Hyundai i20 R5
17171717017085
2Alastair FisherFord Fiesta R514148141210072
3Callum DevineFord Fiesta R50810121714061
4Meirion EvansHyundai i20 R5
Škoda Fabia R5
1.51.51.51.5101225.552
5Jonathan GreerFord Fiesta R571.512DNF0DNF2141.5
6Josh MoffettFord Fiesta R5
Hyundai i20 R5
1271.5DNF14DNF034.5
7Desi HenryŠkoda Fabia R5
Ford Fiesta R5
8DNF141000032
8Martyn EnglandFord Fiesta R50DNF1.50001819.5
9Sam MoffettFord Fiesta R5DNF107DNF00017
10Keith LyonsFord Fiesta R51.5DNF0DNF001516.5

Irish Tarmac Rally Champions

SeasonDriverCo-driverCar
1978 John TaylorJohn JensenFord Escort RS1800
1979 Brian NelsonRodney ColeFord Escort RS1800
1980 Jimmy McRaeFrank MainVauxhall Chevette HSR
1981 Jimmy McRaeIan GrindrodOpel Ascona 400
1982 John CoyneChristy FarrellLotus Sunbeam
1983 Austin McHaleChristy Farrell
1984 Billy ColemanRonan MorganOpel Manta 400
1985 Austin McHaleChristy FarrellOpel Manta 400
1986 Austin McHaleChristy FarrellOpel Manta 400
1987 Mark LovellRoger FreemanFord Sierra Cosworth
1988 Mark LovellTerry HarrymanFord Sierra Cosworth
1989 Russell BrookesDiekman/Wilson/BrownFord Sierra Cosworth
1990 Bertie FisherRory KennedyBMW M3
1991 Kenny McKinstryRobbie PhilpottFord Sierra Cosworth
1992 Bertie FisherRory KennedySubaru Legacy RS
1993 Bertie FisherRory KennedySubaru Legacy RS
1994 Kenny McKinstryRobbie PhilpottSubaru Legacy RS
1995 Frank MeagherPat MoloughneyFord Escort RS Cosworth
1996 Bertie FisherRory KennedySubaru Impreza 555
1997 Austin McHaleBrian MurphyToyota Celica GT-Four ST185
1998 Austin McHaleBrian MurphyToyota Celica GT-Four ST185
1999 Ian GreerDean BeckettToyota Celica GT-Four ST205
2000 Andrew NesbittJames O'BrienSubaru Impreza S5 WRC 99
2001Cancelled due to foot-and-mouth disease outbreak
2002 Andrew NesbittJames O'BrienSubaru Impreza S6 WRC 2000
2003 Derek McGarrityDermot O'GormanSubaru Impreza S8 WRC 2002
2004 Derek McGarrityDermot O'GormanSubaru Impreza S9 WRC 2003
Eugene DonnellyPaul Kiely
2005 Eugene DonnellyPaul KielyToyota Corolla WRC
2006 Eugene DonnellyPaul KielyToyota Corolla WRC
2007 Eugene DonnellyPaul KielySubaru Impreza S12 WRC 2006
2008 Eamonn BolandDamien MorriseySubaru Impreza S12B WRC 2007
2009 Eugene DonnellyPaddy TonerŠkoda Fabia WRC
2010 Gareth MacHaleBrian MurphyFord Focus RS WRC 06
2011 Tim McNultyPaul KielySubaru Impreza S12B WRC 2007
2012 Darren GassEnda SherrySubaru Impreza S10 WRC 2004
2013 Garry JenningsKevin Flanagan (co-driving for Donagh Kelly)Subaru Impreza S12B WRC '07
2014 Declan BoyleBrian BoyleSubaru Impreza S12B WRC
2015 Donagh KellyCiaran Geaney (co-driving for Joe McGonigle)Ford Focus WRC
2016 Keith CroninMikie GalvinCitroën DS3 R5 2016
2017 Sam MoffettKarl AtkinsonFord Fiesta R5
2018 Josh MoffettAndy HayesFord Fiesta R5
2019 Craig BreenPaul NagleFord Fiesta R5
2020Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021
2022 Josh MoffettAndy HayesHyundai i20 R5

Broadcasting

Coverage of events has been provided by On the Limit Sports since 2003.[37] The ITRC is available to view on a variety of platforms, including television (TG4, BT Sport) and on demand via internet streaming services.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Statement from T.R.O.A. regarding R5 RHD Derivative Cars – #ITRC. 2020-12-31. en-GB.
  2. News: Tarmac Rally Organisers Association to make a crunch call on levelling the road. en-GB. belfasttelegraph. 2020-12-31. 0307-1235.
  3. Web site: Martin. Walsh. 2015-07-17. Motorsport: Donegal dispute leaves Irish Tarmac Rally Championship future uncertain. 2020-12-31. Irish Examiner. en.
  4. Web site: Rally of the Lakes Down Through the Years. 2020-12-31. homepage.tinet.ie.
  5. Web site: History – #ITRC. 2020-12-31. en-GB.
  6. Web site: McHale Aims for Highland Fling in First Jim Clark Rally!. 2020-12-31. www.rally.ie.
  7. Web site: ITRC: 2002 Irish Tarmac rally preview. 2020-12-31. www.motorsport.com. en.
  8. Web site: Irish drop Manx rally from series. 2020-12-31. Manx Radio. en.
  9. Web site: West Cork Rally to join the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship in 2015 – #ITRC. 2020-12-31. en-GB.
  10. Web site: Events – #ITRC. 2020-12-31. en-GB.
  11. Web site: The event that put Fermanagh on the rally map. 2020-12-31. Impartial Reporter. en.
  12. Web site: Rallying: Cork '20' International Rally 2007. 2020-12-31. Sport Ireland. en.
  13. Web site: 2010-07-25. Cork '20' Returns West. 2020-12-31. FleetCar.ie. en-US.
  14. Web site: Cork set for exciting championship finale – #ITRC. 2020-12-31. en-GB.
  15. Web site: 2019-09-27. Cork 20 International Rally always draws the crowds to Leeside. 2020-12-31. echo live. en.
  16. Web site: TROA confirms intent to run full 2022 Irish Tarmac Championship. 14 July 2021.
  17. Web site: Rallying to return to Killarney as Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally is a go!. 6 September 2021.
  18. Web site: Rally.ie - Stories - Killarney Historic Stages Rally - (Sat) 27 Nov 21.
  19. Web site: Upcoming Events.
  20. Web site: Events.
  21. Web site: Cancellation of 2021 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship . www.colerainechronicle.co.uk . Coleraine Chronicle . 2 April 2021.
  22. Web site: 2021 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship called off . DirtFish . 2 April 2021 . 3 February 2021.
  23. News: Irish Tarmac Rally Championship cancelled . BBC Sport . 2 April 2021.
  24. Web site: Fisher savours 'special' first ITRC win. 2020-12-31. www.colerainechronicle.co.uk.
  25. Web site: Fisher breaks his duck with commanding Galway victory. 2020-12-31. Impartial Reporter. en.
  26. News: Alastair Fisher shatters his hoodoo and grabs win in Galway. en-GB. belfasttelegraph. 2020-12-31. 0307-1235.
  27. Web site: Hall. Adam. 2020-03-12. West Cork Rally postponed as Motorsport Ireland suspends March events. 2020-12-31. Rally Insight. en-US.
  28. Web site: Lindroos. Pontus. 2020-03-12. West Cork Rally postponed due to coronavirus. 2020-12-31. The Checkered Flag. en-GB.
  29. Web site: Motorsport Ireland Statement on COVID-19. Motorsport Ireland. 2020-03-20. 2020-03-20. 2020-04-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20200418144609/http://www.motorsportireland.com/news/20-03-20/MOTORSPORT_IRELAND_STATEMENT_ON_COVID-19.aspx. dead.
  30. News: Irish Tarmac Championship cancelled. en-GB. BBC Sport. 2020-12-31.
  31. Web site: 2020-04-29. Fisher backs Irish Tarmac cancellation call. 2020-12-31. DirtFish. en-US.
  32. Web site: Kenny. John. 2020-04-28. Irish Tarmac Rally Championship cancelled. en.
  33. News: Breen and McErlean win titles at Ulster Rally. en-GB. BBC Sport. 2020-12-31.
  34. Web site: Fullerton. Simon. 2019-08-20. Ulster Win Hands Breen Tarmac Title. 2020-12-31. Ulster Rally. en-US.
  35. Web site: Standings . ITRC. 2019-10-22 .
  36. Web site: Results . ewrc-results. 2019-10-22 .
  37. Web site: About Us. 2020-12-31. On The Limit Sports. en-GB.