- Circuit of Ireland Rally
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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. For 2010 the event has been awarded Intercontinental Rally Challenge Supporter Event status.[1]
Contents
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 Rally. 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.
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.[2]
2009
The 2009 event was run over the weekend of 11–12 April, starting in the town of Banbridge, County Down and finishing after 14 special stages in Dundalk. The overall winner was Eugene Donnelly in a Škoda Fabia WRC.[3]
2010
In 2010, the event was run over the weekend 3–4 April and was based in Newry, 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.[4] 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.[5]
Winners
Year Driver Car 1931 Jimmy McCaherty Austin 16 Saloon 1946 Artie Bell Riley 1949 Chris Lindsay Ford Special 1950 Dermot Johnston Allard 1953 Wilbert Todd Dellow 1954 Mervyn Glover Dellow 1960 Adrian Boyd Austin Healy Sprite 1970 Roger Clark Ford Escort RS 1600 2008 Eamon Boland Saburu Impreza S12B 2009 Eugene Donnelly Skoda Fabia WRC 2010 Derek McGarrity Saburu Impreza S12B References
- ^ Circuit of Ireland becomes IRC Supporter Event IRC website 2009-12-18 Retrieved 2010-01-02
- ^ Final Overall Positions North East Rally Services Results Service 2008-03-23
- ^ Official Award Winners Ulster Automobile Club website. Retrieved 2010-01-02
- ^ IRC Supporter Event gets night stage IRC Official Website 2010-02-19 Retrieved 2010-02-19
- ^ "The UTV Drive Circuit of Ireland Rally 2010". North East Rally Services. 4 April 2010. http://www.nersresults.co.uk/html/2010/circuit_int/final.pdf. Retrieved 7 April 2010.
- ^ "UTV Drive - Past Winners". UTV. http://www.utvdrivecircuitofireland.com/past-winners/. Retrieved March 16, 2011.
External links
Categories:- Rally competitions
- Auto races in the United Kingdom
- Sport in the Republic of Ireland
- Motorsport in Northern Ireland
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