Circuit of Ireland Rally
Encyclopedia
The Circuit of Ireland International Rally is an annual automobile rally
, which was first held in 1931 making it the second oldest rally in the world. The most recent event was held in 2010.
The Circuit, as it is colloquially known, is organised by the Ulster Automobile Club and is traditionally held over the Easter
holiday weekend. It normally starts and finishes in Northern Ireland
, although the lengthy route of the event has typically included large segments in the Republic of Ireland
as well. Most of the event's special stages are laid out on paved public roads that are closed to other traffic. In 2010, the event was awarded Intercontinental Rally Challenge
Supporter Event status. For 2011 the event will become round three of the 2012 Intercontinental Rally Challenge
.
. After several years in this format, it transitioned into a 1089-mile circuit, essentially following the Irish coastline and starting and finishing in Bangor, County Down
. The Circuit was suspended during World War II (1939–1945), and again in 1948 due to fuel shortages. Further cancellations occurred in 1955, 1972, 2001 and 2007.
The 2007 Circuit of Ireland was cancelled as a result of continuing disputes between the organisers, the event operating company, and the sponsors. It was replaced by a series of smaller Easter holiday events arranged by the Ulster Automobile Club. These included the Easter International Rally, which was run over 12 special stages in Londonderry
, Tyrone
, and Donegal
.
, County Down and finishing after 14 special stages in Dundalk
. The overall winner was Eugene Donnelly
in a Škoda Fabia WRC.
, Northern Ireland. There was a total of 15 stages including a 29 kilometres (18 mi) night stage. The event counted as a round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. Derek McGarrity and co-driver James McKee won the rally in their Subaru Impreza S12B
. Gareth MacHale/Brian Murphy (Ford Focus WRC
) and Alastair Fisher/Marshall Clarke (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9
) finished second and third respectively.
Rallying
Rallying, also known as rally racing, is a form of auto racing that takes place on public or private roads with modified production or specially built road-legal cars...
, which was first held in 1931 making it the second oldest rally in the world. The most recent event was held in 2010.
The Circuit, as it is colloquially known, is organised by the Ulster Automobile Club and is traditionally held over the Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
holiday weekend. It normally starts and finishes in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, although the lengthy route of the event has typically included large segments in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
as well. Most of the event's special stages are laid out on paved public roads that are closed to other traffic. In 2010, the event was awarded Intercontinental Rally Challenge
Intercontinental Rally Challenge
The Intercontinental Rally Challenge is a rallying series organised by SRW Ltd and sanctioned by the FIA, aiming to "give new opportunities to young or amateur rally drivers competing in recognised regional and international rallies, while offering organisers an innovative TV format concept,...
Supporter Event status. For 2011 the event will become round three of the 2012 Intercontinental Rally Challenge
2012 Intercontinental Rally Challenge season
The 2012 Intercontinental Rally Challenge is the seventh season of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. The season again consists of thirteen rounds and started on 23 February with the Sata Rallye Açores. The season will end on 3 November, at the FxPro Cyprus Rally.-Calendar:The calendar consists...
.
History
The rally originated in 1931 as the Ulster Motor Rally. It was run from multiple starting points, in a manner similar to the Monte Carlo RallyMonte Carlo Rally
The Monte Carlo Rally or Rally Monte Carlo is a rallying event organised each year by the Automobile Club de Monaco which also organises the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix and the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique. The rally takes place along the French Riviera in the Principality of Monaco and...
. After several years in this format, it transitioned into a 1089-mile circuit, essentially following the Irish coastline and starting and finishing in Bangor, County Down
Bangor, County Down
Bangor is a large town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is a seaside resort on the southern side of Belfast Lough and within the Belfast Metropolitan Area. Bangor Marina is one of the largest in Ireland, and holds Blue Flag status...
. The Circuit was suspended during World War II (1939–1945), and again in 1948 due to fuel shortages. Further cancellations occurred in 1955, 1972, 2001 and 2007.
The 2007 Circuit of Ireland was cancelled as a result of continuing disputes between the organisers, the event operating company, and the sponsors. It was replaced by a series of smaller Easter holiday events arranged by the Ulster Automobile Club. These included the Easter International Rally, which was run over 12 special stages in Londonderry
County Londonderry
The place name Derry is an anglicisation of the old Irish Daire meaning oak-grove or oak-wood. As with the city, its name is subject to the Derry/Londonderry name dispute, with the form Derry preferred by nationalists and Londonderry preferred by unionists...
, Tyrone
County Tyrone
Historically Tyrone stretched as far north as Lough Foyle, and comprised part of modern day County Londonderry east of the River Foyle. The majority of County Londonderry was carved out of Tyrone between 1610-1620 when that land went to the Guilds of London to set up profit making schemes based on...
, and Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
.
2008
The Circuit restarted again on the Easter weekend (21–23 March) in 2008. Twenty-eight teams competed on twenty special stages, with fourteen teams finishing. The overall winner was Eamonn Boland in a Subaru Impreza S12B.2009
The 2009 event was run over the weekend of 11–12 April, starting in the town of BanbridgeBanbridge
Banbridge is a town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies on the River Bann and the A1 road. It was named after a bridge built over the Bann in 1712. The town grew as a coaching stop on the road from Belfast to Dublin and thrived from Irish linen manufacturing...
, County Down and finishing after 14 special stages in Dundalk
Dundalk
Dundalk is the county town of County Louth in Ireland. It is situated where the Castletown River flows into Dundalk Bay. The town is close to the border with Northern Ireland and equi-distant from Dublin and Belfast. The town's name, which was historically written as Dundalgan, has associations...
. The overall winner was Eugene Donnelly
Eugene Donnelly
Eugene Donnelly is a rally driver from County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, who races in the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.-Career:...
in a Škoda Fabia WRC.
2010
In 2010, the event was run over the weekend 3–4 April and was based in NewryNewry
Newry is a city in Northern Ireland. The River Clanrye, which runs through the city, formed the historic border between County Armagh and County Down. It is from Belfast and from Dublin. Newry had a population of 27,433 at the 2001 Census, while Newry and Mourne Council Area had a population...
, Northern Ireland. There was a total of 15 stages including a 29 kilometres (18 mi) night stage. The event counted as a round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. Derek McGarrity and co-driver James McKee won the rally in their Subaru Impreza S12B
Subaru Impreza
Introduced in November 1993, the Impreza was offered in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive versions and as a four-door sedan/saloon or five-door station wagon/estate. According to a Motor Trend article written March 1992 on page 26, the name of Subaru's new compact was, initially, to be...
. Gareth MacHale/Brian Murphy (Ford Focus WRC
Ford Focus WRC
The Ford Focus RS WRC is a car built for the Ford World Rally Team by Ford and M-Sport and based on the Ford Focus Climate 2-litre production hatchback, developed to compete in the World Rally Championship. The RS stands for Rallye Sport and the WRC for World Rally Car, the car's FIA specification...
) and Alastair Fisher/Marshall Clarke (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9
Mitsubishi Lancer
The Mitsubishi Lancer is a family car built by Mitsubishi Motors. It has been known as the Colt Lancer, Dodge/Plymouth Colt, Chrysler Valiant Lancer, Chrysler Lancer, Eagle Summit, Hindustan Lancer, Soueast Lioncel, Mitsubishi Carisma, and Mitsubishi Mirage in various countries at different times,...
) finished second and third respectively.
Winners
| Year | Driver | Car |
|---|---|---|
| 1931 | Jimmy McCaherty | Austin Austin Austin is the capital of the U.S. state of Texas.Austin may also refer to:-In the United States:*Austin, Arkansas*Austin, Colorado*Austin, Chicago, Illinois*Austin, Indiana*Austin, Minnesota*Austin, Nevada*Austin, Oregon... 16 Saloon |
| 1946 | Artie Bell Artie Bell Arthur James Bell was an Irish motorcycle road racer became known for his short, yet brilliant, post-World War II Isle of Man TT career that came to notice with his second place finish in the 1947 Isle of Man TT on a second-hand 500cc Norton he bought himself on which he led for three of the seven... |
Riley Riley - Animals :* Riley , an American Thoroughbred racehorse* Rileyasuchus, "Riley's crocodile," a genus of phytosaur from the Rhaetian of England- Canada :* Riley Park-Little Mountain, a neighborhood in Vancouver, British Columbia... |
| 1949 | Chris Lindsay | Ford Special |
| 1950 | Dermot Johnston | Allard Allard The Allard Motor Company was an English car manufacturer founded in 1936 by Sydney Allard. The company, based in Putney, London. until 1945 and then in Clapham, London, produced approximately 1900 cars until its closure in 1966.... |
| 1953 | Wilbert Todd | Dellow Dellow Dellow cars were made in a factory at Alvechurch, near Birmingham, England between 1949 and 1956.Dellow Motors Ltd was started by Ken Delingpole and Ron Lowe to produce road-going sports cars for the enthusiast to use in trials, rallies and hill-climbs.... |
| 1954 | Mervyn Glover | Dellow Dellow Dellow cars were made in a factory at Alvechurch, near Birmingham, England between 1949 and 1956.Dellow Motors Ltd was started by Ken Delingpole and Ron Lowe to produce road-going sports cars for the enthusiast to use in trials, rallies and hill-climbs.... |
| 1960 | Adrian Boyd | Austin Healy Sprite |
| 1970 | Roger Clark Roger Clark Roger Albert Clark, MBE, was a British rally driver during the 1960s and '70s, and the first competitor from his country to win a World Rally Championship event when he triumphed at the 1976 RAC Rally.-Biography:... |
Ford Escort RS 1600 |
| 2008 | Eamon Boland | Saburu Impreza S12B |
| 2009 | Eugene Donnelly Eugene Donnelly Eugene Donnelly is a rally driver from County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, who races in the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.-Career:... |
Skoda Škoda Auto Škoda Auto , more commonly known as Škoda, is an automobile manufacturer based in the Czech Republic. Škoda became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group in 2000, positioned as the entry brand to the group... Fabia WRC |
| 2010 | Derek McGarrity | Saburu Impreza S12B |