Motor Sport ColumnRallysprint specialist George Tracey in his Peugeot 206 WRC heads up the 150-strong entry in the Carlow Car Club's event at Mondello Park on December 27th.
The line up read's like a who's who of Irish rallying, including national champion Ray Breen in a Ford Focus WRC and record triple-winner Niall Maguire, as well as Kenny McKinstry, Kevin Barrett, Michael Barrable and recent Mondello rallysprint winner Tommy Graham in Subaru WRC's. Billy Coleman Award winner Gareth McHale and National Forestry Stage champion, is also listed.
On the same day, the 500 Motor Racing Club of Ireland stage racing at Kirkistown, Co Down, running four races for Formula Ford/Formula Vee and Formula Libre/Sportscars.
On St Stephen's Day the Dublin and District Motor Cycle Club run the annual fancy dress trial at The Slade, Crooksling. Since 1951 this event has raised a total of €128,369 in aid of Wireless For The Blind and Audio Visual Technology.
Meanwhile, Pirelli has confirmed sponsorship again for the Pirelli Tarmac Rally Championship. The series of eight 2006 rallies starts with the Galway International on February 4/5th, followed by the Circuit of Ireland (April 16/17th); Killarney Rally of the Lakes (April 28/30th); Shell Donegal International (June 16/18th); Jim Clark rally, Scotland (July 7/8th); Manx International (August 3rd/5th); Ulster (September 1st/2nd); Cork 20 (September 29th/October 1st).
M-Sport, the British-based team contracted to the running of Ford's WRC programme, has launched a special series for the all-new 2.0 litre Ford Fiesta ST Group N3 covering six classic rounds of the 2006 championship, Spain, Corsica, Germany, Sardinia, Finland and Britain.
This is a great opportunity for drivers to break into rallying at WRC level at an affordable fixed price package covering entry fee, catering service, medical support, fixed service area and logistical support.
Competitors will be able to buy a "kit" of parts from M-Sport at a fixed price of £9,100 (plus VAT, €13,400) and build their own car, or buy a rally-ready car from M-Sport.
FIXTURES - St Stephen's Day: TDC, Autotest, Dillonsdown/Red Bog, Blessington, Co Wicklow, 10am; Munster MC & CC, Autocross, Midleton, Co.Cork, 11am; Dublin & District MCC, Annual Motorcycle Fancy Dress Trial, The Slade, Crooksling. Co.Dublin, 1pm.
Tuesday (Dec.27th) - Carlow Car Club, Rallysprint, Mondello Park, 10am; Cork MC, Autocross, Grancore, Clonakilty, Co Cork, 11am; Co Cavan MC, Autocross, Ballybay-Cootehill Rd, Co Cavan, 11am; Leinster MC, Sporting Trial, Kilruddery, Bray, Co Wicklow, 11.30am.
