WITH just under four weeks to go to the 2026 Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally, the number of paid entries has topped the 150 mark.
The second round of the NAPA Autoparts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship has attracted a lot of interest not only across Ireland, but also the UK, US, Australia and Barbados.
Among those who have entered to date include Eddie Doherty, Josh Moffett, Cathan McCourt, Ryan Loughran and Darren Gass. Overseas entries received to date include Sam Touzel, Neil Roskell and Mark Kelly.
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In the smaller international classes Casey Jay Coleman, Johnnie Mulholland, Kalum Graffin and Jack Brennan represent class RC3, while PJ McDermott Jnr, Sarah Hunter and David Herbert are in class RC4.
The modified entry is shaping up to be competitive with John Dalton, Adrian Hetherington, Colin Byrne, Cian Walsh, Kevin Kelleher and JF Shovelin among those to enter early.
The Historic crews include Ray Breen, Duncan Williams, Wayne Evans and Greg Cozier who makes his second trip to West Cork from Barbados in three years.
The junior entry includes Galway winners Graham and Trevor Roche, along with last year’s West Cork Junior winners Darragh Walsh and Gary Lombard.
‘The route for this year’s event is very competitor friendly as always, with some classic stages included such as Ring, Sams Cross and Ardfield, along with a new town stage,’ Clerk of the course Steve Davis said, speaking at the recent event launch at the Clonakilty Park Hotel.
‘This stage will bring the rally to the people of Clonakilty and should bring a great atmosphere to the town as the competitors blast off into the first stage from the town centre.’
Sixteen stages are scheduled over the three days, with the Friday format being altered slightly
from previous years to allow recce and scrutiny on Friday. Two stages will take place in darkness on the Friday night, with eight stages scheduled for Saturday and a further six on the Sunday. The service area will be held in the West Cork Business and Technology Park as per previous years.
Prospective competitors are reminded that the closing date for entries is Saturday, February 28th in order to be on the published seeded list. To enter the event or find out more information, go to https://corkmotorclub.com.
