Willie Loughman Forest Rally

The Carrick-on-Suir William Loughman Forestry Rally, William Loughman Memorial Forestry Rally is an annual motorsport forest rallying event held in Tipperary, Ireland. Promoted and organised by Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club, Wm. Loughman Forestry Rally is long-standing opening round of the Irish Forest Rally Championship.

Willie Loughman Forest Rally
CategoryRally
Inaugural season1985
Drivers' champion James Wilson
Co-Drivers' champion Arthur Kierans
Irish Forest Rally Championship
Current season
South East Stages Rally Championship
Current season
National Rally Championship (1985–1988)
Willie Loughman Forest Rally
DatesFebruary 15, 2020 (2020-02-15) - February 16, 2020 (2020-02-16)
FrequencyAnnual
Location(s)County Tipperary
Country Ireland
Most recent2020
Organised byCarrick-on-Suir Motor Club
SponsorThe Carraig Hotel
Suirway Forklifts
WebsiteWebsite

It was also a stage in South East Stages Rally Championship in 2002 and 2006. It is back on the calendar since 2019.

History

Starting in 1985 as Carrick-on-Suir Forest Rally, the Willie Loughman Memorial Forestry Rally is Ireland's longest running forestry rally. The event ran every year with exception of 2001 due to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.[1]

In the early years the rally would start at midnight at the forestry gate, follow the route arrows, and finish the stage at the forestry exit gate. The arrow signs were made from tin by Willie Loughman, to whose name the forestry rally is now dedicated.[2]

2020

The 2020 event was the opening round for the Irish Forest Rally Championship[3] and the South East States Rally Championship. Directed by the Clerk of the Course Liam Mackey, the event consisted of 59.44 stage kilometers and 144.12 road kilometers divided into 6 stages.[4] This year's entry fee was €700. The rally went ahead despite heavy winds and rain caused by Storm Dennis. Out of 70 starters, 48 have reached the finish line. James Wilson, 2018 Billy Coleman Award winner, led the rally from start to finish.[5]

Roll of Honor
Rally winners [6]
SeasonDriverCo-driverCar
2020James WilsonArthur KieransHyundai i20 R5
2019Marty McCormackBarney MitchellŠkoda Fabia R5
2018Andrew PurcellMark WileyFord Fiesta R5
2017Josh MoffettStephen ThorntonFord Fiesta R5
2016Sam MoffettJames FultonFord Fiesta R5
2015Michael O'BrienJames O'BrienFord Focus RS WRC '08
2014Josh MoffettJason McKennaMitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
2013Owen MurphyJames O'BrienMitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
2012Craig BreenGareth RobertsFord Fiesta S2000
2011Owen MurphyJames O'BrienMitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
2010Pat O'ConnellMark WileyMitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
2009Trevor J. HardingAndrew PurcellSubaru Impreza 555
2008Ray BreenCraig BreenFord Focus RS WRC '04
2007Stephen MooreTony McHughFord Focus RS WRC '04
2006Kenny McKinstryKenny HullSubaru Impreza S7 WRC '01
2005Gareth MacHalePaul NagleToyota Corolla WRC
2004Kevin LynchFrancis ReganSubaru Impreza S6 WRC '00
2003John McCarthyDan MaguireSubaru Impreza 555
2002Robbie McGurkRory KennedySubaru Impreza Sti
2001 no rally - outbreak of foot and mouth disease
2000Peter McCullagh sr.Mark MurphyFord Escort RS Cosworth
1999Kenny McKinstryPaddy TonerSubaru Impreza 555
1998no data
1997no data
1996no data
1995no data
1994no data
1993no data
1992no data
1991no data
1990no data
1989no data
1988Frank MeagherO'SullivanFord Escort RS 1800 MKII
1987no data
1986Kevin O'KaneNoel AlexanderTalbot Sunbeam Lotus
1985James DohertyMichael CurleyVauxhall Chevette 2300 HSR
Driver most wins
Kenny McKinstry2
Moffett Josh2
Murphy Owen2
Driver most starts
Sean Benskin15
John Reid14
Gerard Lucey13
Alan Commins12
Ray Benskin sr.11
Gemma Kerley11
Kevin O'Kane11
James Coleman10
Michael Nevin10
Mark Murply10
Andrew Purcell10
Most stage wins
Andrew Purcell8
Kevin Lynch7
John McCarthy7
Josh Moffett7
Sam Moffett7
Owen Murphy7

* as of 2020

References
  1. "rally.ie -". rally.ie. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
  2. "History". carrickonsuirmotorclub.com. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
  3. "Motorsport Ireland News > Countdown Begins to 2020 Valvoline Forestry Season". motorsportireland.com. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
  4. "Maps | Willie Loughman Forest Rally 2019". Rally-Maps.com. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
  5. "Motorsport". Irish Independent. 2020-02-17. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
  6. eWRC-results.com. "Carrick Forestry Rally". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
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