Limerick Forest Rally

The Limerick Forestry Rally is an annual motorsport forest rallying event held in County Limerick, Ireland. Promoted and organised by Limerick Motor Club, the rally is the second round of the Irish Forest Rally Championship, South East Stages Rally Championship and Junior Rally Series.

Limerick Forest Rally
CategoryRally
Inaugural season1979
Drivers' champion Keith Power
Co-Drivers' champion Mark O'Sullivan
Irish Forest Rally Championship
Current season
South East Stages Rally Championship
Current season
Junior Rally Series
Limerick Forest Rally
DatesMarch 1, 2020 (2020-03-01)
FrequencyAnnual
Location(s)County Limerick
Country Ireland
Most recent2019
Organised byLimerick Motor Club
SponsorKeltec Engineering
T Junction Cars
WebsiteWebsite

History

The even was added to the calendar by Limerick Motor Club in late 70s, while the club's main event, Circuit of Munster ran since 1949. The event ran irregularly, with 2020 being first time that the even ran three years in a row.

2020

The 2020 event was the second round of the Irish Forest Rally Championship, the South East States Rally Championship and the Junior Rally Series. Directed by the Clerk of the Course Anthony Nestor, very compact event route consisted of 68.3 stage kilometers and 178.5 road kilometers divided into 6 stages. This year's entry fee was €653.[1] [2] [3]

Despite Storm Jorge passing over Ireland, the rally was anticipated to go ahead as scheduled. However, due to snowfall during the night before the rally the start was initially delayed, and later the event was postponed.[4] The new proposed date was 18–19 April. On 12 March the event was postponed again in the light of the coronavirus pandemic.[5] [6] On 20 March, Motorsport Ireland issued a statement that all motorsport events are suspended until 1 June 2020.[7] After the government released a road map on easing the Covid-19 restrictions on 6 May,[8] Motorsport Ireland released a statement same day that in line with Phase 4 of this road map the suspension of all motor sports events is extended until the 20 July 2020. Rally events fall under Phase 5 of the guidelines and will not be considered until after the 10 August 2020.[9] On 19 May Motorsport Ireland cancelled the 2020 championship.[10] Club might still be able to run the event if they wish but it won’t hold championship status.

2019

The event was stopped at SS2 because of "freak-blizzard" that unexpectedly hit the area. Many competitors slid off the road, until the road was blocked.[11] [12]

2018

The rally was originally scheduled for the 3 March, however due to possible effects of Storm Emma the event was rescheduled to 24 March.[13]

Roll of Honor
Rally winners[14]
YearFull Event NameOverall winnerCo-driverCar
2020Keltec Engineering Limerick Forest Rallypostponed
2019Treaty Plant Hire Limerick Forest RallyKeith PowerMark O'SullivanMitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
2018Treaty Plant Hire Limerick Forest RallyJosh MoffettStephen ThorntonFord Fiesta R5
2016Lyons of Limerick Forest RallyJosh MoffettEmmet SherryFord Fiesta R5
2013West Limerick Forest RallyPhilip MorrowJonny HartMitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
2008Limerick Forestry RallyRay BreenCraig BreenFord Focus RS WRC '04
2007Tom White Memorial Forestry RallyKevin LynchDavid MoynihanFord Focus RS WRC '04
2000Thomond Forestry RallyD. McNeilF. ReganFord Escort RS Cosworth
1998Thomond Forestry RallyD. KellyG. ShinnorsFord Escort RS Cosworth
1982Limerick Forestry Rallyno data
1981Limerick Forestry RallyRay BenskinFord Escort 1600
1979Spring Forestry RallyAustin McHaleJoe McGeeFord Escort RS200

References
  1. "Limerick Forestry Rally - 1 Mar 20". rally.ie. 2020-02-14. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
  2. "2019 Forestry Rally". Limerick Motor Club. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
  3. "Keltec Engineering Limerick Forest Rally 2020". Facebook.com. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
  4. "Statement Regarding Limerick Forest Rally - Valvoline Forest Rally Championship". rally.ie. 2020-03-01. Retrieved 2020-03-01.
  5. "Motorsport Ireland Statement on Covid-19". Motorsport Ireland. 2020-03-12. Retrieved 2020-03-14.
  6. "West Cork Rally 2020: Postponed". West Cork Rally .com. 2020-03-12. Retrieved 2020-03-14.
  7. "MOTORSPORT IRELAND STATEMENT ON COVID-19". Motorsport Ireland. 2020-03-20. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
  8. "At a glance: What restrictions are going to be lifted and when?". 2020-05-06. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
  9. "A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO & PRESIDENT OF MOTORSPORT IRELAND". 2020-05-06. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
  10. "MOTORSPORT IRELAND RALLY CHAMPIONSHIPS CANCELLED". 2020-05-19. Retrieved 2020-05-22.
  11. "Limerick Forest Rally Cut Short Due To Heavy Snow". Pressreader.com. 2019-03-19. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
  12. "Countdown Begins to 2020 Valvoline Forestry Season". Motorsport.ie. 2019-12-28. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
  13. "Treaty Plant Hire Limerick Forest Rally – Rd2 2018 Valvoline Motorsport Ireland National Forest Rally Championship". Irish Motorsport News. 2018-03-24. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
  14. "Limerick Forestry Rally". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
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