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Irish Forest Rally Championship

{{short description|Rallying series in the Republic of Ireland}}

{{Infobox motorsport championship

| logo =

| pixels =

| caption =

| category = Rallying

| country/region = Ireland

| inaugural = 1978

| folded =

| drivers =

| teams =

| tyres =

| champion driver = {{flagicon|IRE}} Cathan McCourt (2019)

| manufacturer =

| website = [https://www.irishforestrally.com/ Website]

}}

The National Forestry Rally, Motorsport Ireland National Forest Rally is a rallying series in the Republic of Ireland. It consists series of events, organized by a different motor club representing the region.

The championship is regulated by Motorsport Ireland who are the governing body of Motorsports in the Republic of Ireland.

Seasons

=2022=

With COVID-19 restrictions effectively being lifted, full event calendar has been announced. Killarney Forestry Rally returned to the calendar after 15 years. Midland Forest Rally is scheduled for a debut, and the round 7 details are yet to be announced.{{cite web|url=https://motorsport.ie/2022/01/12/countdown-begins-to-2022-irish-forest-rally-season/|title=Countdown Begins to 2022 Irish Forest Rally Season|date=12 January 2022}} Limerick Forest Rally, Lakeland Stages Rally and Sean Conlon Memorial Forestry Rally have been dropped this year.

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"

|+ 2022 event calendar

Round

! Dates

! Event

! Rally HQ

! Organizer

1

| 20 February || Killarney Forestry Rally || Castleisland || Killarney and District Motor Club

2

| 10 April || Willie Loughman Forest Rally || Carrick-on-Suir || Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club

3

| 22 May cancelled || Midland Forest Rally || Drumshanbo || Midland Motor Club

4

| 2 July || Moonraker Forest Rally || Ballyvourney || Munster Car Club

5

| 14 August || Jim Walsh Forest Rally || Mallow || Cork Motor Club

6

| 17 September || Bushwhacker Rally || Omagh || Omagh Motor Club

7

| TBA || TBA || TBA || TBA

Round 1 of the event was stopped after rally driver Eoin McCarthy crashed heavily on stage 4. The competitor was transferred to the hospital, where he died from his injuries. His co-driver Daniel O'Brien only suffered minor injuries.https://www.facebook.com/MotorsportIreland/posts/pfbid03848AQ249UGTSMYAvsRRS4jYrMVfdqDiwCiqCsBRyKiTGYSUdJoSVeeFqLM62udMLl {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=May 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.southernstar.ie/sport/tributes-pour-in-for-dunmanway-driver-eoin-mccarthy-after-tragic-death-at-killarney-forestry-rally-4239354|title = Tributes pour in for Dunmanway driver Eoin McCarthy after tragic death at Killarney Forestry Rally}}

Round 3 of the event was cancelled 16 days before the rally as the organizers lost access and use of tracks of up to 1/3 of the rally mileage.{{cite web | url=https://rally.ie/index.php/stories/220412-050409 | title=Rally.ie - Stories - Midland Forest Rally - 22 May 22 - CANCELLED }}

== Results ==

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
Round

! Winner

1

| Desi Henry / Paddy Robinson (Ford Fiesta Rally2)

2

| Patrick O'Brien / Stephen O'Brien (Škoda Fabia R5)

3

| Cancelled

4

| Keith Cronin / Mikie Galvin (VW Polo GTI R5)

=2021=

COVID-19 pandemic continued into 2021, and all motorsports events remained suspended. The Irish Forest Rally Championship was by default cancelled, although no announcement was made. As the vaccinations were progressing, at the end of May Motorsport Ireland announced that motorsports events can resume from 7 June, subject to local restrictions.{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsportireland.com/Public/MI_News/2021/MI-confirms-21-restart.aspx|title=Motorsport Ireland confirms gated motorsport can restart from June 7th}} There was no championship, but some of the Irish Forest Rally event dates were announced. Bushwhacker Rally and Lakeland Stages Rally were also announced by Northern Ireland's motor clubs.

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
EventProposed dateOrganizerStatus
Moonraker Forest Rally31 JulyMunster Car ClubPostponed indefinitely on 6 July.{{cite web|url=https://rallyinsight.com/2021/07/06/moonraker-postponed-cork-forestry-cancelled-as-rally-crisis-continues/|title = Moonraker postponed, Cork Forestry cancelled as rally crisis continues|date = 6 July 2021}}
Bushwhacker Rally18 AugustOmagh Motor ClubEntries opened 26 August. Starting grid consisted of 114 starters.{{cite web|url=http://www.omaghmotorclub.co.uk/events/bushwhacker-rally/|title=Bushwhacker Rally}}
Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally22 AugustCork Motor ClubCancelled on 4 July.{{cite web|url=https://corkmotorclub.com/club-statement-2021-forestry/|title = Club Statement: 2021 Forestry|date = 4 July 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://rally.ie/index.php/stories/210704-173924#210704-174011|title = Rally.ie - Stories - Cork Forestry Rally - 22 Aug 21 - CANCELLED}}
Lakeland Stages Rally4 SeptemberEnniskillen Motor ClubCancelled on 26 August.{{cite web|url=https://rally.ie/index.php/stories/210826-143655|title=Rally.ie - Stories - EMC Lakeland Stages - (Sat) 4 Sep 21 - CANCELLED}}
Sean Conlon Memorial Forestry Rally23 OctoberTipperary Car ClubNot planned originally, announced on 25 September.{{cite web|url=https://tipperarymotorclub.weebly.com/ |title=Home |publisher=Tipperarymotorclub.weebly.com |date=2022-07-17 |accessdate=2022-08-16}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rally.ie/index.php/stories/210926-141338|title = Rally.ie - Stories - Tipperary Sean Conlon Forestry Rally - NEW DATE 23 Oct 21 - CANCELLED}}

=2020=

The 2020 calendar included two changes, round 4 Cavan Forest Rally has been dropped in favor of Sean Conlon Memorial Forestry Rally, and round 7 Lakeland Stages Rally replaced by Bushwhacker Rally.

The Moonraker Forest Rally was initially scheduled 18 April, but later rescheduled to 28 March. Limerick Forest Rally on 1 March was postponed on the day due to snowfall, the new date proposed is 18–19 April.

On 12 March all motorsports events were postponed in the light of the coronavirus pandemic.{{cite web

|url=http://www.motorsportireland.com/news/20-03-12/Motorsport_Ireland_Statement_on_Covid-19.aspx

|website=Motorsport Ireland

|title=Motorsport Ireland Statement on Covid-19

|date=2020-03-12

|accessdate=2020-03-14

|archive-date=2020-03-20

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320161102/http://www.motorsportireland.com/news/20-03-12/Motorsport_Ireland_Statement_on_Covid-19.aspx

|url-status=dead

}}{{cite web|url=https://rally.ie/index.php/stories/200107-161124#200312-175521

|website=rally.ie

|title=Munster CC Moonraker Forestry Rally - DATE CHANGE 28 Mar 20 - POSTPONED

|date=2020-03-12

|accessdate=2020-03-14

}}

On 20 March, Motorsport Ireland issued a statement that all motorsport events are suspended until 1 June 2020.{{cite web

|url=http://motorsportireland.com/news/20-03-20/MOTORSPORT_IRELAND_STATEMENT_ON_COVID-19.aspx

|website=Motorsport Ireland

|title=MOTORSPORT IRELAND STATEMENT ON COVID-19

|date=2020-03-20

|accessdate=2020-03-20

|archive-date=2020-04-18

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418144609/http://www.motorsportireland.com/news/20-03-20/MOTORSPORT_IRELAND_STATEMENT_ON_COVID-19.aspx

|url-status=dead

}} After the government released a road map on easing the COVID-19 restrictions on 6 May,{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/0501/1136167-road-map-details/

|title=At a glance: What restrictions are going to be lifted and when?

|website=RTÉ.ie

|date=2020-05-06

|accessdate=2020-05-10

}} Motorsport Ireland released a statement same day that in line with Phase 4 of this road map the suspension of all motor sports events is extended until the 20 July 2020. Rally events fall under Phase 5 of the guidelines and will not be considered until after the 10 August 2020.{{cite web

|url=http://motorsportireland.com/news/20-05-06/A_MESSAGE_FROM_THE_CEO_PRESIDENT_OF_MOTORSPORT_IRELAND-3136838252.aspx

|title=A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO & PRESIDENT OF MOTORSPORT IRELAND

|date=2020-05-06

|accessdate=2020-05-10

|archive-date=2020-08-14

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814015618/http://www.motorsportireland.com/news/20-05-06/A_MESSAGE_FROM_THE_CEO_PRESIDENT_OF_MOTORSPORT_IRELAND-3136838252.aspx

|url-status=dead

}} On 19 May Motorsport Ireland cancelled the 2020 championship.{{cite web

|url=http://motorsportireland.com/news/20-05-19/MOTORSPORT_IRELAND_RALLY_CHAMPIONSHIPS_CANCELLED.aspx

|title=MOTORSPORT IRELAND RALLY CHAMPIONSHIPS CANCELLED

|date=2020-05-19

|accessdate=2020-05-22

|archive-date=2020-05-27

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527042236/http://motorsportireland.com/news/20-05-19/MOTORSPORT_IRELAND_RALLY_CHAMPIONSHIPS_CANCELLED.aspx

|url-status=dead

}} Clubs might still be able to run events if they wish but it won't hold championship status.

Only the round 1 took place before rounds 2-6 were postponed, and eventually all remaining rounds were cancelled.

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"

|+ 2020 event calendar before cancellation

Round

! Dates

! Event

! Rally HQ

! Organizer

1

| 16 February || Willie Loughman Forest Rally || Carrick-on-Suir || Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club

2

| 1 March cancelled || Limerick Forest Rally || Rockchapel || Limerick Motor Club

3

| 28 March cancelled || Moonraker Forest Rally || Ballyvourney || Munster Car Club

4

| 17 May cancelled || Sean Conlon Memorial Forestry Rally || Tipperary || Tipperary Car Club

5&6

| 25–26 July cancelled || Jim Walsh Forest Rally || Mallow || Cork Motor Club

7

| 26 September cancelled || Bushwhacker Rally || Omagh || Omagh Motor Club

=2019=

The calendar consisted of seven events, with a reserve Bushwhacker Rally on 21 September, which ended up not being included as a championship round.

The overall champion: {{flagicon|IRE}} Cathan McCourt, Ford Fiesta R5

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
Round

! Dates

! Event

! Rally HQ

! Organizer

1

| 20 January || Willie Loughman Forest Rally || Slieverue || Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club

2

| 3 March || Limerick Forest Rally || Rockchapel || Limerick Motor Club

3

| 13 April || Moonraker Forest Rally || Ballyvourney || Munster Car Club

4

| 18 May || Donegal Forest Rally || Bundoran || Donegal Motor Club

5&6

| 27–28 July || Jim Walsh Forest Rally || Mallow || Cork Motor Club

7

| 7 September || Lakeland Stages Rally || Enniskillen || Enniskillen Motor Club

Top 10 drivers overall:

valign="top"|

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 85%; text-align: center;"

valign="top"

!valign="middle"| Pos

!valign="middle"| Driver

!valign="middle"| Car

!valign="middle"| Class

! 1

! 2

! 3

! 4

! 5

! 6

! 7

!valign="middle"|  Points

!valign="middle"|  Points (best 5)

1

|align=left| Cathan McCourt

|align=left| Ford Fiesta R5

! 5

|| 13

|| 3

|| 21

|| 21

|| 18

|| 18

|| 19

! 113

! 97

2

|align=left| Michael Carbin

|align=left| Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8

! 20

|| 9

|| 19

|| 16

|| 16

|| 13

|| 15

|| 15

! 103

! 81

3

|align=left| Sam Moffett

|align=left| Ford Fiesta R5

! 5

|| 17

|| 0

|| 0

|| 0

|| 19

|| 21

|| 21

! 78

! 78

4

|align=left| Niall McCullagh

|align=left| Ford Fiesta R5

! 4

|| 15

|| 2

|| 11

|| 19

|| 14

|| 13

|| 17

! 91

! 78

5

|align=left| Conor McCourt

|align=left| Ford Fiesta R5

! 5

|| 11

|| 2

|| 1

|| 18

|| 17

|| 16

|| 16

! 81

! 78

6

|align=left| Joe Hegarty

|align=left| Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9

! 20

|| 8

|| 9

|| 17

|| 17

|| 7

|| 1

|| 14

! 73

! 65

7

|align=left| David Crossen

|align=left| Ford Escort Mk2

! 13

|| 1

|| 17

|| 15

|| 15

|| 11

|| 0

|| 1

! 60

! 59

8

|align=left| Martin McKenna

|align=left| Ford Fiesta WRC

! 7

|| 0

|| 2

|| 7

|| 13

|| 15

|| 14

|| 10

! 61

! 59

9

|align=left| Barry McKenna

|align=left| Ford Fiesta R5

! 5

|| 16

|| 1

|| 1

|| 0

|| 21

|| 19

|| 0

! 58

! 58

10

|align=left| Niall Henry

|align=left| Citroen DS3 R5

! 5

|| 14

|| 7

|| 19

|| 1

|| 0

|| 0

|| 15

! 56

! 56

|valign="top"|

|}

=2018=

The calendar consisted of seven events. Round 4 was pushed forward by two weeks.

The overall champion: {{flagicon|IRE}} Josh Moffet, Ford Fiesta R5

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
Round

! Dates

! Event

! Rally HQ

! Organizer

1

| 3 February || Willie Loughman Forest Rally || Slieverue || Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club

2

| 4 March || Limerick Forest Rally || Rockchapel || Limerick Motor Club

3

| 14 April || Moonraker Forest Rally || Ballyvourney || Munster Car Club

4

| 14 July || Cavan Forest Rally || ? || Cavan Motor Club

5

| 29 July || Jim Walsh Forest Rally || Mallow || Cork Motor Club

6

| 1 September || Lakeland Stages Rally || Enniskillen || Enniskillen Motor Club

7

| 22 September || Bushwhacker Rally || Omagh || Omagh Motor Club

Top 10 drivers overall:

valign="top"|

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 85%; text-align: center;"

valign="top"

!valign="middle"| Pos

!valign="middle"| Driver

!valign="middle"| Car

!valign="middle"| Class

! 1

! 2

! 3

! 4

! 5

! 6

! 7

!valign="middle"|  Points

!valign="middle"|  Points (best 5)

1

|align=left| Josh Moffet

|align=left| Ford Fiesta R5

! 5

|| 2

|| 21

|| 19

|| 18

|| 21

|| 21

|| 21

! 123

! 103

2

|align=left| Barry McKenna

|align=left| Ford Fiesta R5

! 5

|| 19

|| 19

|| 21

|| 19

|| 19

|| 1

|| #

! 98

! 97

3

|align=left| Cathan McCourt

|align=left| Citroen DS3 R5

! 5

|| 1

|| 17

|| 1

|| 15

|| 17

|| 19

|| 19

! 89

! 87

4

|align=left| Stephen McCann

|align=left| Ford Fiesta S2000

! 5

|| 18

|| 16

|| 17

|| 16

|| 16

|| 16

|| 4

! 103

! 83

5

|align=left| Andrew Purcell

|align=left| Ford Fiesta R5

! 5

|| 21

|| 18

|| 1

|| 21

|| 18

|| 1

|| #

! 80

! 79

6

|align=left| Donall Sweeney

|align=left| Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6

! 20

|| #

|| 14

|| 16

|| 10

|| 13

|| 1

|| 0

! 54

! 54

7

|align=left| Conor McCourt

|align=left| Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9

! 4

|| 13

|| 2

|| #

|| 11

|| 14

|| 13

|| 1

! 54

! 53

8

|align=left| Adrian Hetherington

|align=left| Ford Escort RS1800

! 15

|| 1

|| #

|| 1

|| 17

|| 1

|| 18

|| 15

! 53

! 52

9

|align=left| Shane McGirr

|align=left| Toyota Starlet RWD

! 13

|| 1

|| 11

|| 13

|| 13

|| 12

|| 1

|| 0

! 51

! 50

10

|align=left| Mickey Conlon

|align=left| Ford Escort Mk2

! 14

|| 11

|| 10

|| 10

|| 8

|| 9

|| 2

|| 0

! 50

! 48

|valign="top"|

|}

  • Note: # - did not start

=2017=

The calendar originally consisted of seven events, however round 2 was cancelled. The best 5 results counted towards championship points.

The overall champion: {{flagicon|IRE}} Sam Moffet, Ford Fiesta WRC

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
Round

! Dates

! Event

! Rally HQ

! Organizer

1

| 12 February || Willie Loughman Forest Rally || Slieverue || Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club

2 (cancelled)

| 4 March || Sean Conlon Memorial Forestry Rally || Tipperary || Tipperary Car Club

3

| 8 April || Moonraker Forest Rally || Ballyvourney || Munster Car Club

4

| 13 May || Donegal Forest Rally || Bundoran || Donegal Motor Club

5

| 30 July || Jim Walsh Forest Rally || Mallow || Cork Motor Club

6

| 2 September || Lakeland Stages Rally || Enniskillen || Enniskillen Motor Club

7

| 23 September || Bushwhacker Rally || Omagh || Omagh Motor Club

Top 10 drivers overall:

valign="top"|

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 85%; text-align: center;"

valign="top"

!valign="middle"| Pos

!valign="middle"| Driver

!valign="middle"| Car

!valign="middle"| Class

! 1

! 2

! 3

! 4

! 5

! 6

! 7

!valign="middle"|  Points

!valign="middle"|  Points (best 5)

1

|align=left| Sam Moffet

|align=left| Ford Fiesta WRC

! 5

|| 19

|| -

|| 19

|| #

|| 21

|| 19

|| 19

! 97

! 97

2

|align=left| David Crossen

|align=left| Ford Escort Mk2

! 13

|| 10

|| -

|| 11

|| 19

|| 18

|| 16

|| 12

! 86

! 76

3

|align=left| Gerard Lucey

|align=left| Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8

! 20

|| 13

|| -

|| 16

|| 16

|| 16

|| 13

|| #

! 74

! 74

4

|align=left| Jonny Leonard

|align=left| Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6

! 20

|| 14

|| -

|| 15

|| 1

|| 19

|| 2

|| 16

! 67

! 66

5

|align=left| Josh Moffett

|align=left| Ford Fiesta R5

! 5

|| 21

|| -

|| 21

|| #

|| #

|| 21

|| #

! 63

! 63

6

|align=left| Jordan Hone

|align=left| Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9

! 4

|| 1

|| -

|| 14

|| 2

|| 17

|| 15

|| 8

! 57

! 56

7

|align=left| Adrian Hetherington

|align=left| Ford Fiesta R5

! 15

|| 16

|| -

|| 17

|| 1

|| 1

|| 1

|| 18

! 54

! 53

8

|align=left| Mickey Conlon

|align=left| Ford Escort Mk2

! 13

|| 8

|| -

|| 9

|| 17

|| 11

|| #

|| 5

! 50

! 50

9

|align=left| Liam Regan

|align=left| Mitsubishi Lancer Evo

! 20

|| 11

|| -

|| 13

|| #

|| #

|| 12

|| 14

! 50

! 50

10

|align=left| Enda McCormack

|align=left| Subaru Impreza S10

! 7

|| 7

|| -

|| 12

|| 13

|| 15

|| 2

|| #

! 49

! 49

|valign="top"|

|}

  • Note: # - did not start

Sponsors

The main event sponsors are the Coillte - the national forestry company, and Valvoline - the overall title sponsor.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Broadcasting

The TV coverage is captured by On the Limit Sports. The viewers can view the series on TG4 and RTE Player in Ireland, as well as on satellite channel and Motorsport.tv.

References

{{Reflist|refs=

{{cite web|url=http://motorsportireland.com/news/19-09-08/Lakelands_Rally_concludes_the_2019_Forestry_Championship.aspx|title=Motorsport Ireland News > Lakelands Rally concludes the 2019 Forestry Championship|website=motorsportireland.com}}

{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/henryconnolly-in-command-at-lakeland-rally-949490.html|title=Henry/Connolly in command at Lakeland Rally|date=September 9, 2019|website=www.irishexaminer.com}}

{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/corkman/news/rally-ready-to-roar-around-mallow-38344817.html|title=Rally ready to roar around Mallow|website=independent}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.motorsportireland.com/news/18-07-05/2018_Valvoline_Motorsport_Ireland_National_Forest_Rally_Championship_Rounds_4_5_Preview.aspx|title=Motorsport Ireland News > 2018 Valvoline Motorsport Ireland National Forest Rally Championship Rounds 4 & 5 Preview|website=www.motorsportireland.com}}

{{cite web|author=Latest Sport |url=https://www.midwestradio.ie/index.php/sport/21419-success-for-murphy-family-at-willie-loughman-memorial-forest-rally |title=Midwest Radio - Success for Murphy family at Willie Loughman Memorial Forest Rally |publisher=Midwestradio.ie |date= |accessdate=2020-02-24}}

{{cite web|url=https://www.highlandradio.com/2019/05/18/victory-for-cathan-mccourt-in-donegal-forestry-rally/|title=Victory for Cathan McCourt in Donegal Forestry Rally|first=News|last=Highl|date=May 18, 2019}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/other_sports/mondello-park-and-national-forestry-rally-championship-results/ |title=Mondello Park and National Forestry Rally Championship results | SportsNewsIRELAND |website=www.sportsnewsireland.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417033724/https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/other_sports/mondello-park-and-national-forestry-rally-championship-results/ |archive-date=17 April 2019 |url-status=dead}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.limerickmc.ie/content/index.php/31-main/general/425-2019-forestry-rally|title=2019 Forestry Rally|website=www.limerickmc.ie}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.carrickonsuirmotorclub.com/events/wm-loughman-forestry-rally/627-urgent-notice-to-all-competitors.html|title=Urgent Notice to all Competitor's|website=www.carrickonsuirmotorclub.com}}

{{cite web|url=https://www.irishforestrally.com/news/2018/2018-valvoline-motorsport-ireland-national-forest-rally-championship-round-1-preview/|title=2018 Valvoline Motorsport Ireland National Forest Rally Championship Round 1 Preview - Carrick on Su :: Irish Forest Rally, Dublin, Ireland|website=www.irishforestrally.com}}

{{cite web|url=https://www.irishforestrally.com/calendar/2020/|title=2020 Calendar :: Irish Forest Rally, Dublin, Ireland|website=www.irishforestrally.com}}

{{cite web|url=https://rally.ie/index.php/stories/191214-123156#191214-123201|title=rally.ie - Stories - 2020 Irish Forest Rally Championship|website=rally.ie}}

{{cite web|url=https://rally.ie/index.php/stories/200107-161124|title=Munster CC Moonraker Forestry Rally - DATE CHANGE 28 Mar 20|website=rally.ie|date=2020-02-27|accessdate=2020-03-02}}

|2}}

External links

  • [https://www.irishforestrally.com/ Irish Forest Rally Championship website]

{{Rally championships}}

{{Motorsport in Ireland}}

Category:Rallying series

Category:Rally competitions in Ireland