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West Cork Rally will kick-start tourist season
Pictured in Clonakilty last weekend were, from left, Noel White (West Cork Rally Fundraising Committee), Greg McCarthy (Deputy Clerk of the Course), David Henry (Quality Hotel, Clonakilty) and Liam McCarthy, who won last year’s Quality Hotel West Cork Rally. (Photo: Martin Walsh)
THE Quality Hotel’s West Cork Rally in three weeks’ time will kick-start the tourist season and provide a welcome boost to Clonakilty and the West Cork region in general.
Noel White, speaking on behalf of the West Cork Rally Fundraising Committee, remarked: “I would like to thank the Quality Hotel for their continued support and this year more than ever, it is very important that we have a title sponsor. In addition, the business people of Clonakilty and the region have also been very generous.
“There is a very positive reaction and everybody is looking forward to the weekend. I think we need the boost that the event brings to the town. The cars of the Group B era will be showcased through the town on the Friday night and during Saturday and Sunday, their service halt will be in Deasy’s car park. We want to build on the atmosphere that is generated at the finish ramp, this year’s celebrations will include live music and street theatre from early afternoon.”
The event, which is being sponsored by the Quality Hotel for the eighth successive year, will consist of sixteen stages, eight on each day with centralised servicing in Darrara College. The organising club, the Cork Motor Club, has retained the entry fee (Ä630) at the same rate as last season. The event is the opening round of the Southern 4 Rally Championship and counting rounds of the Mitsubishi Evo Challenge Ireland series and the Honda Cup.
The rally will again feature the Modified Challenge, introduced in 2005, John Dalton (Darrian) remains undefeated. General Manager of the Quality Hotel Clonakilty, David Henry remarked: “We are delighted to be involved as title sponsor of the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally and have great accommodation packages available for the rally weekend.”
Last year's winner, Liam McCarthy (Toyota Corolla WRC), is planning to defend his title. Entries already received include Tim McNulty (Subaru WRC), Kenny McKinstry (Subaru), JJ Fleming (Subaru WRC), Hugh Hunter (Ford Focus WRC), Brian O’Mahony (Renault Clio S1600), John Dalton (Darrian) and Bob Fowden (Subaru).
Former winner, Denis Cronin, has signalled his intentions to compete. As of Monday last, there were 109 entries in the main field, 15 Juniors and 5 Historics.