Galway returns with new one-day format

The Galway Rally returns on February 10 after a forced year out in 2018, with a new one-day format.

The event, the opening round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, hit financial issues last year and had to cancel, shortening the ITRC calendar.

Won by Garry Jennings for the last two times it ran in 2017 and 2016, the Athenry-based event takes on a one-day format. The maximum stage mileage for a one-day event in Ireland is 120kms (74.56 miles), and MN understands the 10-stage event will be close to that figure.

Some new stages have been introduced, while many return from the 2017 event.

Gary Leonard returns as clerk of the course, taking the title for the fourth time, and already confirmed for the event is David Bogie who will start both the ITRC and British Championships in his Skoda Fabia R5.

Declan Boyle and Donagh Kelly, both Irish Tarmac champions, haven’t challenged for the title since it switched to R5s scoring points towards the outright title for 2016 and have continued to rally WRC cars. Both have stated a switch to R5 for 2019 is likely. Kelly last won the rally in 2015.