National Rally Championship
{{short description|Rallying series in the Republic of Ireland}}
{{Infobox motorsport championship
| logo =
| pixels =
| caption =
| category = Rallying
| country/region = Ireland
| inaugural = 1966
| folded =
| drivers =
| teams =
| tyres =
| champion driver = {{flagicon|IRE}} Josh Moffett (2019)
| manufacturer =
| website = [https://www.irishnationalrallychamp.com/ Website]
}}
The National Rally Championship 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 consists of eight events that runs in 16 locations switching biennially.
The championship is regulated by Motorsport Ireland who are the governing body of Motorsports in the Republic of Ireland.
For sponsorship reasons the series were called Dunlop National Rally Championship between 2011 and 2014, and Triton National Rally Championship between 2015 and 2020.
Seasons
= 2022 =
== Calendar ==
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
! Round ! Dates ! Event ! Rally HQ ! Organizer |
| 1
| 6 March || Mayo Rally || Achill Island || Mayo & District Motor Club |
|---|
| 2
| 3 April || Birr Rally || Birr || Birr & District Motor Club |
| 3
| 24 April || Monaghan Rally || Monaghan || Monaghan Motor Club |
| 4
| 15 May || Carlow Rally || Carlow || Carlow Motor Club |
| 5
| 5 June || Circuit of Munster || Limerick || Limerick Motor Club |
| 6
| 17 July || Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally || Clonmel || Tipperary Motor Club |
| 7
| 28 August || Galway Summer Rally || Galway || Galway Motor Club |
| 8
| 8 October || Donegal Harvest Rally || Ballybofey || Donegal Motor Club |
== Results ==
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
! Round ! Winner |
| 1
| Josh Moffett/Keith Moriarty (Hyundai i20 R5) |
|---|
| 2
| Josh Moffett/Keith Moriarty (Hyundai i20 R5) |
| 3
| Josh Moffett/Jason McKenna (Hyundai i20 R5) |
| 4
| Josh Moffett/Keith Moriarty (Hyundai i20 R5) |
| 5
| Josh Moffett/Keith Moriarty (Hyundai i20 R5) |
= 2021 =
The season was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic.
= 2020 =
At the 2019 awards ceremony on 16 November it was announced that 2020 championship will consist of seven rounds, six of which will be counting rounds. The change in biennial calendar is the drop of Sligo Rally in September and return of Carlow Rally in May.
The important championship sponsorship was offered to Triton Showers to extended for another year. Initially committed for five years term, Triton Showers agreed to remain as title sponsors for another year.{{cite web|url=http://motorsportireland.com/news/19-11-18/TRITON_SHOWERS_TO_REMAIN_IN_NATIONAL_RALLY_CHAMPIONSHIP.aspx/|title=TRITON SHOWERS TO REMAIN IN NATIONAL RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP |publication-date=18 November 2019|publisher=Motorsport Ireland|accessdate=18 November 2019}}
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
}} 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
}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.kerrymotorclub.com/circuit-of-kerry-rally-2020-postponed/
|website=Kerry Motor Club
|title=Circuit of Kerry Rally 2020 – POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
|date=2020-03-14
|accessdate=2020-03-14
}} 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?
|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
}} 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
}} 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 2-5 were postponed, and eventually all remaining rounds were cancelled.
== Calendar ==
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
|+ 2020 event calendar before cancellation ! Round ! Dates ! Event ! Rally HQ ! Organizer |
| 1
| 8 March || Mayo Rally || Achill Island || Mayo & District Motor Club |
|---|
| 2
| 5 April cancelled || Circuit of Kerry Rally || Tralee || Kerry Motor Club |
| 3
| 10 May cancelled || Carlow Rally || Carlow || Carlow Motor Club |
| 4
| 24 May cancelled || Cavan Rally || Cavan || Cavan Motor Club |
| 5
| 9 August cancelled || Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally || Clonmel || Tipperary Motor Club |
| 6
| 13 September cancelled || Clare Rally || Sligo || Clare Motor Club |
| 7
| 10 October cancelled || Donegal Harvest Rally || Ballybofey || Donegal Motor Club |
= 2019 =
The 2019 season was launched on 26 January in Mondello Park,{{cite web|url=https://www.northernsound.ie/triton-showers-national-rally-championship-returns-2019/|title=Triton Showers National Rally Championship Returns|publication-date=
19 February 2019|publisher=Northern Sound FM|accessdate=31 July 2019}} sponsored by Triton for the fifth year in a row.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/triton-showers-renew-irish-national-rally-championship-sponsorship-890463.html|title=Irish National Rally Championship|publication-date=7 December 2018|publisher=Irish Examiner Ltd|accessdate=1 August 2019}} The calendar, consisting of the same eight biennial events was announced. The best seven scores will count, in addition, the final two rounds will offer bonus points.{{cite web|url=http://www.rally.ie/brian.php/stories/181109-163959#190128-091529|title=2019 Triton Championship Launches|publisher=rally.ie|accessdate=31 July 2019}}
== Awards ==
There will be overall awards and awards for each of the 20 classes. Other awards include the Motorsport Safety Team Group N award, the rally.ie award (highest two-wheel drive in overall classification) and the Mk. 2 Champions Trophy. The Juniors will compete for Junior Trophy (Class 16A) and the National Junior Award (Class 16), with the winner qualifying for selection process for the Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year award. Navigators will participate in separate scoring and will be also awarded.
== 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, YouTube and Motorsport.tv.{{cite web|url=https://motorsport.tv/program/irish-national-rally-championship/115 |title=Irish National Rally Championship|publisher=Motorsport.tv Digital, LLC|accessdate=1 August 2019}}
| class="wikitable" style="float:right; width: 45%;"
|+ Participating Classes ! Class ! Group ! Description |
| rowspan="2" align="right"| Class 1
| align="left" | N | style="font-size:75%;" | up to 1600cc (previously N1 & N2) |
| align="left" | R1
| style="font-size:75%;" | up to 1390cc - VR1A |
| rowspan="4" align="right" | Class 2
| align="left" | A | style="font-size:75%;" | up to 1600cc (previously A5 & A6) |
| align="left" | R2
| style="font-size:75%;" | 1390-1600 cc - VR2B |
| align="left" | Kit cars
| style="font-size:75%;" | up to 1600cc |
| align="left" | N
| style="font-size:75%;" | 1601-2000 cc (previously N3) |
| rowspan="4" align="right" | Class 3
| align="left" | A | style="font-size:75%;" | 1601-2000 cc |
| align="left" | R2
| style="font-size:75%;" | 1601-2000 cc - VR2C |
| align="left" | R3
| style="font-size:75%;" | atmospheric 1601-2000 cc - VR3C |
| align="left" | Super 1600
| style="font-size:75%;" | Super 1600 rally homologation |
| align="right" | Class 4
| align="left" | N | style="font-size:75%;" | over 2000 cc (N4 FIA Appendix J254) |
| rowspan="3" align="right" | Class 5
| align="left" | R4 | style="font-size:75%;" | FIA Appendix J260 |
| align="left" | R5
| style="font-size:75%;" | all R5 |
| align="left" | S2000
| style="font-size:75%;" | Super 2000 Rally (atmospheric) |
| align="right" | Class 6
| align="left" | R-GT | style="font-size:75%;" | FIA R-GT homologation |
| rowspan="3" align="right" | Class 7
| align="left" | A | style="font-size:75%;" | over 2000 cc (previously A8) |
| align="left" | WRC
| style="font-size:75%;" | 1.6T, 2.0T |
| align="left" | S2000
| style="font-size:75%;" | S2000 Rally 1.6T 30 mm Restrictor (also known as Regional Rally Car - RRC) |
| align="right" | Class 9
| align="left" | Modified | style="font-size:75%;" | Modified cars up to 1450 cc, 2 wheel drive |
| align="right" | Class 10
| align="left" | Modified | style="font-size:75%;" | Modified cars 1451 to 1650 cc, not more than 2 valves per cylinder, 2 wheel drive |
| align="right" | Class 11F
| align="left" | Modified FWD | style="font-size:75%;" | Modified FWD cars 1451 to 1650 cc, more than 2 valves per cylinder, 2 wheel drive |
| align="right" | Class 11R
| align="left" | Modified RWD | style="font-size:75%;" | Modified RWD cars 1451 to 1650 cc, more than 2 valves per cylinder |
| align="right" | Class 13
| align="left" | Modified | style="font-size:75%;" | Modified cars 1651 to 2100 cc, more than 2 valves per cylinder, 2 wheel drive |
| align="right" | Class 14
| align="left" | Modified | style="font-size:75%;" | Modified cars 2101 to 3500 cc, 2 wheel drive |
| align="right" | Class 15
| align="left" | 4WD | style="font-size:75%;" | Four-wheel drive cars whose homologation has expired |
| align="right" | Class 16
| align="left" | Juniors | style="font-size:75%;" | Appendix 29.1 Article 21 |
| align="right" | Class 18
| align="left" | Historics | style="font-size:75%;" | Articles 17–19, Appendix 29.1 |
| align="right" | Class 19
| align="left" | Historics | style="font-size:75%;" | Appendix K |
| align="right" | Class 20
| align="left" | Modified | style="font-size:75%;" | Modified Four-wheel drive Cars |
==Calendar==
== Results ==
A total of 113 competitors have participated in at least one championship event.
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 ! 8 !valign="middle"| Points{{cite web|url=https://www.irishnationalrallychamp.com/programs|title=Current Standings|publisher=Motorsport Ireland|accessdate=31 July 2019}} |
| 1
|align=left| Josh Moffet |align=left| Ford Fiesta RS WRC ! 7 || 20 || 21 || 18 || 21 || 20 || 21 || 22 || # ! 143 |
|---|
| 2
|align=left| Roy White |align=left| Ford Fiesta RS WRC ! 7 || 16 || 18 || 16 || 16 || 19 || 18 || 0 || # ! 103 |
| 3
|align=left| Kevin Eves |align=left| Toyota Corolla AE86 ! 14 || 9 || 11 || 11 || 0 || # || 16 || 0 || 15 ! 62 |
| 4
|align=left| David Moffett |align=left| Toyota Starlet RWD ! 13 || 5 || 7 || 8 || 0 || # || 14 || # || 21 ! 55 |
| 5
|align=left| Shane Maguire |align=left| Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX ! 4 || 3 || 5 || 5 || # || 14 || 12 || 14 || # ! 52 |
| 6
|align=left| Declan Boyle |align=left| Ford Fiesta RS WRC ! 7 || 19 || 0 || 14 || 18 || # || # || # || # ! 51 |
| 7
|align=left| Aaron McLaughlin |align=left| Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX ! 4 || 1 || 3 || 1 || # || 16 || 11 || 2 || 16 ! 49 |
| 8
|align=left| JF Shovelin |align=left| Ford Escort MK2 ! 14 || 1 || 9 || 1 || 6 || # || 0 || 13 || 18 ! 48 |
| 9
|align=left| Kevin Barrett |align=left| Subaru Impreza S14 WRC ! 7 || 1 || # || 6 || 9 || # || # || 12 || 14 ! 42 |
| 10
|align=left| Peadar Hurson |align=left| Ford Fiesta RS WRC ! 7 || 14 || 16 || # || # || 10 || # || # || # ! 40 |
|valign="top"|
|}
- Note: # - did not start
= 2018 =
ALMC Stages Rally event originally scheduled on 15 July was cancelled prior to season start as the ALMC felt that there is lack of commitment to the event from the rally drivers, because there are too many rallies in June - July period. ALMC Stages Rally event was taking place since 1984.
Sligo Rally was admitted to the calendar instead, but rescheduled from 15 to 8 of July due to 'exceptional weather conditions' and fears that the heat will melt the road surface. However the heatwave persisted and this date was also cancelled. Eventually the rally took place on 2 September.
Carlow Mini Stages Rally organized by Carlow Motor Club and held on 20 May was not a championship counting round. Best five rounds out of seven counted towards championship title.
== Calendar ==
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
! Round ! Dates ! Event ! Rally HQ ! Organizer |
| 1
| 11 March || Mayo Rally || Achill Island || Mayo & District Motor Club |
|---|
| 2
| 8 April || Circuit of Kerry Rally || Tralee || Kerry Motor Club |
| 3
| 27 May || Cavan Rally || Cavan || Cavan Motor Club |
| 4
| 12 August || Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally || Sligo || Tipperary Motor Club |
| 5
| 2 September || Sligo Rally || Clonmel || Connacht Motor Club |
| 6
| 16 September || Clare Rally || Sligo || Clare Motor Club |
| 7
| 13 October || Donegal Harvest Rally || Ballybofey || Donegal Motor Club |
== Results ==
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 |
| 1
|align=left| Declan Boyle |align=left| Ford Fiesta WRC ! 7 || 21 || 19 || 0 || 14 || 19 || 18 || 14 ! 105 |
|---|
| 2
|align=left| Josh Moffett |align=left| Ford Fiesta WRC ! 7 || 18 || 20 || 0 || 20 || # || 21 || 20 ! 99 |
| 3
|align=left| Joseph McGonigle |align=left| Mini John Cooper Works WRC ! 20 || 14 || 16 || 21 || 16 || 14 || 14 || # ! 95 |
| 4
|align=left| Chris Armstrong |align=left| Ford Escort Mk2 ! 14 || 9 || 0 || 14 || 12 || 10 || 8 || 12 ! 65 |
| 5
|align=left| Donagh Kelly |align=left| Ford Fiesta WRC ! 7 || 8 || 14 || # || 19 || 20 || # || # ! 61 |
| 6
|align=left| Roy White |align=left| Ford Fiesta WRC ! 7 || 0.5 || 9 || # || # || 16 || 16 || 19 ! 61 |
| 7
|align=left| Stuart Darcy |align=left| Darrian T90 GTR ! 14 || 11 || 12 || 0 || 0 || 11 || 12 || 11 ! 47 |
| 8
|align=left| Kevin Barrett |align=left| Subaru Impreza WRC S14 ! 7 || 7 || 11 || # || # || 8 || 10 || 9 ! 45 |
| 9
|align=left| Aidan Wray |align=left| Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X ! 4 || 12 || 0 || 16 || 13 || 0 || # || # ! 41 |
| 10
|align=left| Johnny Jordan |align=left| Toyota Starlet ! 13 || # || # || 18 || 0 || # || 11 || 10 ! 39 |
|valign="top"|
|}
- Note: # - did not start
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.irishnationalrallychamp.com/ Irish National Rally Championship Website]
- [https://www.nationalirishrallychampionship.com/ Old Irish National Rally Championship Website]
{{Rally championships}}
{{Motorsport in Ireland}}