Excitement Builds Towards Citroen Racing Trophy Ireland 2012!
Posted: February 15, 2012 4:34 PM
The excitement is building towards the first round of this season’s Citroen Racing Trophy, which kicks off in West Cork on St. Patrick’s weekend. At present it looks like ten crews are set to take the start line with their Pirelli shod Citroen C2’s, but series co-ordinator Raymond Moore is very much trying to encourage event more crews to compete.
“I have a complete list here of left and right hand drive cars for sale and for hire and can advise anyone on the cars. Also I know that trade ins can be taken on some vehicles, and we have a company that can underwrite rally cars, which may make life easier for competitors looking to trade in and trade up to a C2. I would love to really see as many cars out as possible. For sure it looks like we will have ten for West Cork which is excellent, but the more the merrier, and definitely I would like to see more newcomers into the Trophy.”
The full regulations for the CRT Ireland series have been ratified by Motorsport Ireland and are now published on the website www.citroenracingtrophy.com.
An interesting addition for this season is a new points system that includes points for fastest stage times, similar to the WRC Academy system.
“We have introduced this to encourage more competition and keep the championship race alive. I also feel that for the driver who perhaps sets the pace, but retires near the finish of an International for example, with the stage time points, at least he or she may be able to take some worthwhile points home, and keep them in the championship hunt. It will be interesting to see how the drivers respond to the added incentive!”
Interesting contenders this season include Peter Barrable. The Dubliner showed some great promise last season, with increased speed as the year progressed, and could be a real threat for the title this season. Cork’s Kieran Daly is completing a bare shell rebuild on his C2 Max, including trimming off any excess weight, and the Donal Healy prepared car is going to be totally fresh for West Cork. David Carney completed a successful trip to the Galway International Rally with 15th overall and second in the 1600 class. Muff’s Joe McGonigle was just three places and 37 seconds behind in his C2 Max, both cars running faultlessly. Limerick’s Kevin O’Connor will bring his new C2 Max to West Cork, and he demonstrated what he could do with an R2 version last year. His brother John will take over that R2 car and is very much out to enjoy the series.
Armagh’s Sean Agnew is in the process of having his R2 upgraded to a Max by John McKillop. The former professional Gaelic footballer won his class in both the National and Border Championships in 2011. Last year’s champion Scott McElhinney has both of his cars up for sale, but may well turn up in West Cork. From across the water Welsh man Steve Wood is returning to the series, Joe Shrimpton is finalising his programme after purchasing Mark Sheehan’s car and rapid former Trophy contender Andrew Hockridge is making a return to the series.
We like to keep you up to date this year with the Citroen Racing Trophy so updates of news, events, results and general gossip, will now be updated regularly through both Face book and Twitter.
To like the Face book page click: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Citroen-Racing-Trophy/305040199542207
And follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/CRTIRL
The Citroen Racing Trophy Ireland is continuing to provide a generous prize fund and support for drivers in 2012, with a 40,000€ prize fund available for the Trophy and an exciting new prize for the top junior driver worth well in excess of 10,000€ at the end of the season. West Cork will be a corker I’m sure, for the most generous one-make rally series ever to hit the Irish shores.
Regulations / Entry Form Available
Posted: February 7, 2012 1:07 PM
Cork Motorclub are pleased to announce that regulations for the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally to be held on the 17th & 18th March will be available to download from 9am on Tuesday 7th February.
Thanks to the generous sponsorship by the Tourism Sector of Clonakilty Chamber of Commerce, the first 15 overseas entries will receive a £100 discount on their ferry cost when booked though Fairfield Motorsport. This is based on the club receiving a completed entry form.
Regulations / Entry Form / Accommodation Details available at:
Rally Guide available
Posted: January 15, 2012 11:28 PM
Press Release 1
Posted: January 11, 2012 4:54 PM
For the 34th time since the event was inaugurated in 1977, the Quality Hotel West Cork Rally returns to Clonakilty on St.Patricks Weekend. Cork Motor Club who promote the event are delighted to have the Quality Hotel on board as title sponsor for the tenth year in a row and are hoping to carry on the tradition of having a diverse range of entries throughout Ireland and the UK.
After three successful years at the helm, Darren McCarthy is stepping down to Deputy CoC while Martin Godfrey takes over as the new Clerk of the Course (only the sixth in the events history). Martin says “Darren will be a tough act to follow, but having him as deputy CoC will be a huge help”. As always the route is very challenging with 16 stages spread out over two days. Following the success of the town stage around Clonakilty in 2011, the club are delighted to be able to run a town stage twice this year.
The entry fee for the main field is once again held at a competitive €630 for almost 240km of stage miles (with 150km approx. road miles). There will also be a Historic Rally which will begin on Stage 5 on day one; the cost of entry here is €480 while the Junior Rally will cover the last four stages of the event at a cost of €330. After the success of the scheme over the past four years, junior competitors are also reminded that if they go marshalling on the Saturday stages then they will get a refund of €100 on their entry fee. Both crew members have to take part to avail of this. The service area will be centralised as usual near Clonakilty and Regulations will be available to download shortly from the event or club website
The Windscreen Company have renewed their sponsorship of the Southern 4 Rally Championship for 2012, with the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally being the first round as usual. The Citroen Cup is also back for 2012 and is also the opening round. The event is also the first round of the Road Rally Cup sponsored by Fairfield Motorsport. The Bones O’Connor Modified Challenge is back for a sixth year in 2012 which Damien McCarthy was the surprise, but fully deserving winner in 2011. This challenge incorporates cars from classes 9-15 (details on classes to be found on www.motorsportireland.com) and has been very competitive over the years.
Information on accommodation may be sourced by contacting the Quality Hotel on 023 8836400, (00 353 23 8836400 from the UK) or logging onto their website at www.qualityclonakiltyhotel.com. A comprehensive rally guide will also be available shortly to download from www.corkmotorclub.com and www.westcorkrally.com
Event & Club Website
Posted: January 11, 2012 4:52 PM
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