Galway International Rally

The Galway Rally, Galway International Rally is an annual motorsport tarmac rallying event held in Galway, Ireland. Promoted and organised by Galway Motor Club, the rally was first ran in 1971. The Galway International Rally is the oldest International rally in Ireland. It has hosted the European Rally Championship stage every year between 1975 and 1982. In 1978 the Galway International Rally hosted the opening stage of the first Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.[1]

Galway International Rally
CategoryRally
Inaugural season1971
Drivers' champion Alastair Fisher
Co-Drivers' champion Gordon Noble
Irish Tarmac Rally Championship
Current season
European Rally Championship (1975-1982)
Galway International Rally
Dates1 February 2020 (2020-02-01) - 2 February 2020 (2020-02-02)
FrequencyAnnual
Location(s)County Galway
Country Ireland
Most recent2020
Organised byGalway Motor Club
SponsorCorrib Oil
WebsiteWebsite

History

The rally ran annually as an International event from its inception in 1971, with only few exceptions. In 2002 it was ran under West International Rally name. For various reasons, the events did not run in 1983, 1987, 2003 and 2018.

Galway Rally boasts as the first, ever International Rally run in Ireland (1971), the first round of the European Rally Championship run in Ireland (1975), the first computer-generated result system (1975), the first round of the new Irish Tarmac Rally Championship in (1978), the first female Clerk of the Course, Bridget Brophy (1982), the youngest Clerk of the Course of an any International Rally, Mike Smith (1988).[2]

2020 event

Due to low entries the rally launch on 17 January was cancelled, and there was a risk that the event will not go ahead.[3][4] On 20 January it was announced that the 2020 Corrib Oil Galway International Rally is going to take place as planned on Sunday 2 February with a repeat of the racing format which made the previous year's event a success. The event, managed by Clerk of the Course Gary Leonard, consisted of 9 stages, totaling 104.6 km (65.0 mi). The event was the opening round of the 2020 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, and was run a week earlier than 2019 in order to avoid a clash with the opening British Rally Championship round, the Cambrian Rally. The participant entry fee for the event remained same as last year at €875.[5] The event started with 65 entries, 47 of them reached the finish, with Alastair Fisher as the overall winner. This was the only 2020 championship round that took place before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. On 28 April the Tarmac Rally Organisers' Association announced that the 2020 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship is cancelled.[6]

2019 event

Originally planned as two day event, it was reduced to one day, 10 stage event after a consultation with participants.[7] The rally hosted Round 1 of 2019 ITRC and Round 2 of 2019 ITRC Historic championships. Craig Breen finished first overall, 14.4s ahead of Alastair Fisher.[8]

2018 event

The event was planned to go ahead in February, however, in November 2017 it was announced that the event is being cancelled due lack of "the necessary financial certainty that is required at this time".[9] Event organisers Galway Motor Club also quoted logistical issues as a reason for cancellation.

2017 event

The event planning was counteracted by efforts to stop the rally. One local resident claimed that application for road closures was not properly dealt with. There were very strict conditions attached to the temporary road closure permission. After consultation with local politicians and the Galway County Council it was ruled that the organisers have complied with all of the procedures relating to a temporary road closure, and that the event is cleared to go ahead.[10]

2016 event

Roll of Honor
YearFull Event NameOverall winnerCo-driverCar
2020Corrib Oil Galway International RallyAlastair FisherGordon NobleVolkswagen Polo GTI R5
2019Corrib Oil Galway International RallyCraig BreenPaul NagleFord Fiesta R5
2018Galway International RallyCancelled
2017Corrib Oil Galway International RallyGarry JenningsRory KennedySubaru Impreza S12B WRC '07
2016Corrib Oil Galway International RallyGarry JenningsRory KennedySubaru Impreza S12B WRC '07
2015Colm Quinn BMW Galway International RallyDonagh KellyKevin FlanaganFord Focus RS WRC '08
2014Colm Quinn BMW Galway International RallyDeclan BoyleBrian BoyleSubaru Impreza S12B WRC '07
2013Safety Direct Galway International RallyKeith CroninMarshall ClarkeSubaru Impreza S11 WRC '05
2012Safety Direct Galway International RallyDarren GassEnda SherrySubaru Impreza S10 WRC '04
2011Safety Direct Galway International RallyTim McNultyPaul KielySubaru Impreza S12B WRC '07
2010Safety Direct Galway International RallyGareth MacHaleBrian MurphyFord Focus RS WRC '06
2009Galway International RallyEugene DonnellyPaddy TonerŠkoda Fabia WRC
2008Galway International RallyMark HigginsRory KennedySubaru Impreza S12 WRC '06
2007First Choice Flooring Galway International RallyMarcus GrönholmTimo RautiainenFord Focus RS WRC '06
2006First Choice Flooring Galway International RallyEugene DonnellyPaul KielyToyota Corolla WRC
2005First Choice Flooring Galway International RallyEugene DonnellyPaul KielyToyota Corolla WRC
2004First Choice Flooring Galway International RallyTapio LaukkanenHarri KaaproSubaru Impreza S7 WRC '01
2003no event
2002West International RallyEugene DonnellyPaul KielySubaru Impreza S4 WRC '98
2001Galway International RallyCancelled
2000West International RallyCancelled
1999Statoil Galway International RallyBertie FisherRory KennedySubaru Impreza 555
1998Statoil Galway International RallyAustin MacHaleBrian MurphyToyota Celica Turbo 4WD
1997Statoil Galway International RallyAustin MacHaleBrian MurphyToyota Celica Turbo 4WD (ST185)
1996Statoil Galway International RallyBertie FisherRory Kennedy Subaru Impreza 555
1995Statoil Galway International RallyFrank MeagherPat MoloughneyFord Escort RS Cosworth
1994Statoil Galway International RallyKenny McKinstryRobbie PhilpottSubaru Legacy RS
1993Galway International RallyAustin MacHaleDermot O'GormanToyota Celica GT-4 (ST165)
1992Clarenbridge Crystal Galway International RallyKenny McKinstryRobbie PhilpottSubaru Legacy RS
1991Skoda Sport Galway International RallyAustin MacHaleDermot O'GormanBMW M3
1990Lydon House Bakery Galway International RallyAustin MacHaleRonan McNameeBMW M3
1989Lydon House Bakery Galway International RallyMark LovellRonan MorganFord Sierra RS Cosworth
1988Lydon House Galway International RallyMark LovellRoger FreemanFord Sierra RS Cosworth
1987no event
1986Clarenbridge Crystal Galway International RallyBilly ColemanRonan MorganPorsche 911 SC RS
1985Galway International RallyAustin MacHaleChristy FarrellOpel Manta 400
1984Agip Galway International RallyBrendan FaganRonan McNameeVauxhall Chevette 2300 HSR
1983no event
1982BP Galway International RallyJimmy McRaeIan GrindrodOpel Ascona 400
1981Galway International RallyGer BuckleyMr MurphyVauxhall Chevette 2300 HSR
1980Galway International RallyJimmy McRaeFrank MainVauxhall Chevette 2300 HS
1979Galway International RallyBilly ColemanFrank O'DonoghueFord Escort RS 1800 MKII
1978Galway International RallyJohn TaylorPhil ShortFord Escort RS 1800 MKII
1977Galway International RallyRoger ClarkJim PorterFord Escort RS 1800 MKII
1976STP Galway International RallyBilly ColemanJim PorterFord Escort RS 1800 MKII
1975STP Galway RallyDessie McCartneyTerry HarrymanPorsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7
1974Galway Rallyno datano data
1973STP Galway RallyAdrian BoydBeatty CrawfordFord Escort RS 1600 MKI
1972STP Galway RallyRonnie McCartneyDessie McCartneyTriumph 2.5 Pi
1971STP Galway International RallyCathal CurleyAustin FrazerFord Escort Twin Cam

Top drivers with most wins (>1) and most starts (>10). (As of 2020)

DriverMost WinsMost Starts
Austin MacHale 6 21
Eugene Donnelly 4 12
Billy Coleman 3 9
Mark Lovell 2 2
Jimmy McRae 2 5
Kenny McKinstry 2 10
Bertie Fisher 2 11
Garry Jennings 2 13
Frank Meagher 1 11
Pat Kelly 0 16
Eamonn Boland 0 12
Tommy Flanagan 0 12
David Quigley 0 13
Tom Flaherty 0 12
Aaron MacHale 0 11
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References
  1. "Galway Rally". EWRC Results. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  2. "Galway International Rally is feeling nostalgic". Facebook. 26 November 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  3. https://www.rally.ie/index.php/stories/191219-153243#200117-054556
  4. http://www.motorsportireland.com/news/20-01-21/2020_Corrib_Oil_Galway_Interntional_Rally_is_Go.aspx
  5. "Corrib Oil Galway International Rally 2020". rally.ie. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  6. "2020 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship Cancelled". Motorsport Ireland. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  7. "The Galway International Rally Returns for 2019". motorsport.ie. 25 November 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  8. "Breen opens with victory in the Corrib Oil Galway International Rally". Galway Advertiser. 14 February 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  9. "2018 Galway International Rally - NOT GOING AHEAD". rally.ie. 17 November 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  10. "Galway Rally will run on original route despite protest". Connacht Tribune. 4 February 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
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