TROA

club sec · TROA

LONG ROAD TO 2009 IRISH TARMAC RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP STARTS IN GALWAY

For the tourist, the trip from Galway to Cork is a scenic three hour drive through the mid west. For the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship the journey from next weeks Galway International Rally to the Cork 20 International Rally in October will be a far more demanding and exciting journey.
These are the first and final rounds of Irelands premier Tarmac Rally Championship, with six other events interspersed - Circuit of Ireland, Killarney Rally of the Lakes, Jim Clark, Donegal, Isle of Man and Ulster rallies. These are some of the finest rallies in Europe. Where else can you find classic stages to compare with Killarneys Molls Gap, Knockalla with its magnificent views over Donegal Bay or the mountain challenge of the Isle of Mans Brandywell test?
For 2009 the rallies that make up the “Tarmac” are the same as last year, but TROA, the championship organisers, have introduced a number of changes that reflect the present economic times.
Don Wilmont the Championship Manager explains. "TROA had to take into account the uncertain impact of the current economic downturn. While we fully recognise the contribution that WRC cars have made to the history of the Championship, at the same time we are trying to encourage competitors to consider the newer Super 1600 and 2000 cars as a more economical option." As a result the scoring system has been changed for 2009. The rally winner will receive 16 points (previously 15pts) – There is no change to the scores for 2nd (12) 3rd (10) 4th (8) etc. However, bonus points will be introduced for drivers of Group N, Super 1600 and Super 2000 cars. A system of 3,2,1 bonus points will be introduced for the first three non WRC cars in the final classification. So if a WRC car wins a ”Tarmac” round, the winner gets 16 points and if the runner up is using a Group N /Super 2000/Super 1600, then driver gets 15 pts.(12+3) .
In addition there will be a new competition for modified cars entered in the national class run in conjunction with the International rallies. This new award known as the Tarmac Trophy Challenge, will be run on the six rounds of the Championship held on the island of Ireland, with the best five scores to count. The Tarmac Trophy will not apply to the Isle of Man or the Kelso based Jim Clark rounds of the Championship.”
Next weekend the Tarmac Championship kicks off with the Safety Direct Galway International Rally which is based in the Clayton Hotel, Ballybrit. There are 9 stages in the Abbeyknockmoy area of North Galway on Saturday. On Sunday the competitors will tackle 8 stages in the South Galway area around Gort, Service during both days will be at the Deerpark Industrial Estate in Oranmore.
World championship regular Conrad Rautenbach is the top seed in his Citreon Xsara WRC followed by another WRC Competitor, Aaron Burkart in his Suzuki Swift S1600. Behind these two is a high quality field of Irish drivers headed by 2008 “Tarmac Champion” Eamonn Boland, who is back to defend his crown. Other WRC mounted former champions listed include Eugene Donnelly, Derek Mc Garrity and Austin Mc Hale. Add in the pretenders to the MacHale crown Aaron and Gareth, Kevin Lynch,Tim McNulty and Padear Hurson and there is clearly going to be a tight battle for overall honours.
The stone wall lined roads of the Galway International traditionally provide a very stern challenge for the Championship contenders. In the 30 year history of the Irish Tarmac Championship, the Galway winner has gone on to take the title on eleven occasions. Who knows, perhaps the driver at the top of the podium in Galway this year will become the twelfth Tarmac Champion, when the journey to Cork is completed in early October.

ENDS_________________________________________________________________________
2009 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship Dates:
1. Galway International 16/18 January
2. Circuit of Ireland International 10/12 April
3. Killarney Rally of the Lakes 1/3 May
4. Jim Clark International 22/23 May
5. Donegal International 19/21 June
6. Rally Isle of Man International 10/11 July
7. Ulster International 21/22 August
8. Cork 20 International 3/4 October
FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT ;-
DON WILMONT ,
IRISH TARMAC RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP MANAGER
dwilmont@aol.com mobile 0044 7768 687526

Gav Taylor

I might pop over for one of these seeing as though my Ireland WRC trip got cancelled.

Probably for WRC in those above as well, has anyone seen the Ireland list to date think its at about 35 and the closing date when supposed to be 23rd Dec 08 cwm21

club sec

Watchu talkin about willis?

Gav Taylor

who?

club sec

Your post made no sense, what are you on about?

Gav Taylor

I might go and see a round of the championship seeing as tho the WRC Ireland is struggling for entries and has extended its closing date for entries.

Straight forward to a sane man

club sec

stevewag

KILLARNEY IS WELL WORTH THE TRIP - 2ND BEST RALLY IN THE WORLD!

OR DONEGAL - IF YA GO THERE MIGHT COME WITH YA.