CORK FORESTRY CANCELLED BECAUSE OF ENTRY PRICING STRUCTURE
Disagreement in Ireland has sparked unrest among the wider rallying community
Organisers of the cancelled Jim Walsh Memorial Cork Forest Rally, which was due to take place on August 22, have stated they were not prepared to run the event under the new format and pricing structure laid down by the governing body.
Motorsport Ireland’s insistence at charging €900 for a one-day event is contrary to the Cork Motor Club’s ideals, which claims it could run the event with a cheaper entry fee.
Paul Casey, clerk of the course, told Motorsport News, “We must be seen to support the competitors and put on the best possible event for all and keep the cost to the minimum.”
Club vice-chairman Greg McCarthy added: “We are not in the business of profiteering from our loyal competitors and are disappointed it has come to this.”
It’s the latest episode in a season of discontent within Irish motorsport.
Last month, the governing body was hit with no fewer than 10 votes of no confidence in relation to its governance of motorsport. The Cork club was among those that was subsequently summoned to a meeting with members of the Irish Motorsport Federation (IMF) and the Motor Sport Council in Dublin. As yet, there’s been no official statement on those meetings.
Meanwhile, momentum is gathering among competitors that are willing to boycott events to bring about change. An internal email (written in 2020) from a high-ranking official within the Motor Sport Council that was leaked on social media has sparked much of the unrest. Motorsport News understands its content was extremely disparaging to competitors and club officials.