TAR MAC CHAMPIONS ROW OVER RIGHT-HAND-DRIVER 5 CAR RULES
Disagreement over introduction of converted cars
Two Irish Tarmac champions are at odds over a rule change that has opened the door for right-hand-drive R5 cars to compete on rounds and collect points that go towards the drivers’ title.
After months of meetings between championship officials, the Tarmac Rally Organisers’ Association, clubs and teams, a compromise to the long-running issue was found.
But despite the ITRC releasing a statement on the ruling, it is yet to be passed by Motorsport Ireland’s Rallies Commission, which doesn’t plan to meet before the ITRC season opener in Galway.
The British Championship has already made a similar move but will allow its RHD R5s to win National-permitted events outright.
Garry Jennings believes the move is “a farce” given that converted R5 cars cannot win ITRC rallies outright, not even the National rally for nonhomologated cars.
“It doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. How can a car be eligible for points but not victories?” he asked.
“Most teams have their plans already set in stone and this isn’t going to change anything. It’s like you having all the items on your child’s Christmas list bought and then on Christmas Eve, when all the shops have shut, they change their mind. At that point it’s too late. You have what you have.
“Proton has the Iriz in right- hand-drive but there are none available yet, and Hyundai has said if it can find 10 customers who want a right-hand-drive i20 R5 that it will homologate the car. I have spoken to all of the teams and ones like M-sport are just too busy to even think about this.”
Those who have come out in support of the move include Desi Henry, Jonny Greer and 2015 Irish Tarmac winner Donagh Kelly who has swapped his 2008 Ford Focus WRC for a Skoda Fabia R5. Those three drivers all compete in left-hand-drive cars.
“In the interests of protecting our sport longer term we need to keep it interesting, vibrant and healthy for everyone,” Kelly said. “We need sharp competition and if we attract a few more cars why not do it?
“Years ago people like Austin Mchale and Bertie Fisher did work on their cars and there was never any problem – there was never talk of homologation. Right-hand-drive R5 cars should be allowed.”
MN understands 24 R5 cars have entered the Galway International Rally – soon to become 25 – including three right-hand-drive variants.
The Irish Tarmac Rally Championship reached a new low in the R5 era with just four of the cars starting the last round of 2018, the Cork ‘20’ Rally.
But with a number of drivers electing to switch to the category over the winter, including a host of series champions, the championship has received a major boost.