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53-503: The West Cork Rally , Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally is an annual motorsport tarmac rallying event held in Clonakilty , County Cork , Ireland . Promoted and organised by Cork Motor Club , the rally began in 1977 and has run on or near St. Patricks Weekend ever since with just a few exceptions (1987, 2001 and 2020). It is, according to a book about the rally's early history, an "important local cultural and economic event". It

106-529: A Dunmanway man who has competed in 20 West Cork Rallies, finally won the event in 2009. In 1998, the rally saw its first local winners in Donal O'Donovan and Pat Lordan . The late 1990s and early 2000s saw the rise of new drivers financed by the booming Celtic Tiger years. Drivers like Stephen Murphy , Derek McGarrity , Eamon Boland , Michael Barrable and Donie O'Sullivan all appeared in Clonakilty with some of

159-433: A distance of eight miles. It was won by the locomotive of Isaac Watt Boulton , one of six he said he had run over the years, perhaps driven by his 22-year-old son, James W. The race was against Daniel Adamson's carriage, likely the one made for Mr. Schmidt and perhaps driven by Mr. Schmidt himself. The reports do not indicate who was driving, since both were violating the red-flag law then fully in force. Boulton's carriage

212-569: A high-speed test, car handling manoeuvres can be tested such as precision drifting , donuts, handbrake turns, reversing and so on. Other disciplines of automobile sport include: The international motorcycle sport governing body recognised by the International Olympic Committee is the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). Disciplines include: The international powerboating governing body recognised by

265-584: A hill, at private and closed roadways where higher speeds and distances can be reached than at an autotesting course for example. Time attack are terms used by series that run sprints at racing circuits where competitors try to set the quickest lap time rather than racing head-to-head with others. Time trials are run by the Sports Car Club of America , amongst others. Rallysprints are mainly sanctioned and held in continental Europe. Ultimately, they are similar to other time trial sprints but originate from

318-449: A race is between competitors running head-to-head, in its International Sporting Code, the FIA defines racing as two or more cars competing on the same course simultaneously. Circuit racing takes place on sealed-surface courses at permanent autodromes or on temporary street circuits . Competitors race over a set number of laps of the circuit with the winner being the first to finish, or for

371-460: A sealed surface such as asphalt or concrete. Notable off-road races on open terrain include the Baja 1000 desert race, organised by SCORE International . The FIA authorise Extreme E , an electric off-road series whose organisers have announced a hydrogen fuel series, Extreme H, to begin in 2025. Examples of off-road racing disciplines and series include: Drag racing is an acceleration contest from

424-488: A set length of time with the winner having completed the highest number of laps, with others classified subsequently. Circuit racing replaced point-to-point (city-to-city) racing early in the history of motorsport, for both spectator appeal and as safety concerns brought in regulation of the sport, forcing organisers to use closed, marshalled and policed circuits on closed public roads. Aspendale Racecourse in Australia in 1906

477-399: A standing start along a short and straight course. Vehicles of various types can compete, usually between two vehicles. Winners can be the first to finish of competing pairs or by setting the fastest time, and competitions may have heats and/or series of runs. Kart racing is a form of circuit racing using very small and low vehicles not considered as automobiles known as go-karts. It is one of

530-589: A statement that all motorsport events are suspended until 1 June 2020. On 28 April the Tarmac Rally Organisers' Association announced that the 2020 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship is cancelled. Motorsport Different manifestations of motorsport with their own objectives and specific rules are called disciplines. Examples include circuit racing , rallying and trials . Governing bodies, also called sanctioning bodies, often have general rules for each discipline, but allow supplementary rules to define

583-599: Is a rallying series in the Republic of Ireland . It consists series of events, organized by a different motor club representing the region. The championship consists of eight events that runs in 16 locations switching biennially. The championship is regulated by Motorsport Ireland who are the governing body of Motorsports in the Republic of Ireland . For sponsorship reasons the series were called Dunlop National Rally Championship between 2011 and 2014, and Triton National Rally Championship between 2015 and 2020. The season

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636-453: Is a form of motorsport where drivers intentionally lose rolling traction in corners through oversteering but maintain momentum with effective throttle control, clutch use and corrective steering. In competition a panel of judges award marks on artistry and car control through the corner or series of corners. Competitions often feature pairs of cars driving together where a lead car and a chase car go head-to-head, with only one car going through to

689-491: Is called a series, and a grouping of competitions often forms the basis of a championship , cup or trophy . Not all nations have a sporting authority affiliated with the FIA, some disciplines may not fall within the FIA's remit of control, or organisations may choose to ignore the claim of the authority of others. Examples include banger racing and stock car racing in the United Kingdom which are claimed by both

742-626: The International Olympic Committee is the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM). The organisation's origins date back to 1922. The international air sports governing body recognised by the International Olympic Committee is the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). The FAI also governs non-powered air sport such as gliding and ballooning, however its motorised sports include: National Rally Championship The National Rally Championship

795-567: The National Rally Championship again (up to 1985), it was also a counting round of the EARS / Motoring News championship which attracted a lot of U.K. crews. Over 170 crews started the 1984 event with many more, including Billy Coleman , on a bulging reserve list. Cork Motor Club applied for an International permit for 1986 which saw it removed from the National series, but still not part of

848-674: The United States , dirt track racing became popular. After World War II , the Grand Prix circuit became more formally organised. In the United States, stock car racing and drag racing became firmly established. The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), formed in 1904, is the oldest and most prominent international governing body. It claims to be the sole international motor sporting authority for automobiles and other land vehicles with four or more wheels, whilst acknowledging

901-486: The 2016 event when he became only the second driver to win the rally three times, and the first achieve this in successive years. As of 2018 he was won the event a remarkable five times in a row. The rally was a counting round for the Tarmac Modified Championship only in 2014, and was a full counting round in 2015. The West Cork Rally has run under an international permit since 2016 and was the opening round of

954-806: The 2018 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship following the cancellation of the Galway International Rally for 2018. The event received a lot of local support, and seen as an opening of the tourism season. The 2019 event was the second round of both the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship and the British Rally Championship as well as the opening round of the PlasticBags.ie Southern 4 Rally Championship . The event starred Mikko Hirvonen , who competed in Ford Escort Mk2 and won

1007-455: The 21 stage rally start in Clonakilty and end up in Bantry for the lunch halt. The same stages were tackled in reverse all the way back towards Clonakily that day with a total of thirteen tough test in mainly appalling weather. The second day had eight more stages, and the weather didn't let up, but Mick & Anne O'Connell were the victors in somewhat controversial circumstances. They were off

1060-624: The ASNs must be obtained to organise events using their rules, and their licenses must be held by participants. Not all ASNs function in the same manner, some are private companies such as Motorsport UK, some are supported by the state such as France's FFSA, or in the case of the US's ACCUS, a council of sanctioning bodies is the national representative at FIA meetings. ASNs, their affiliated clubs or independent commercial promotors organise motorsport events which often include competitions . A collective of events

1113-993: The Mk. 2 Champions Trophy. The Juniors will compete for Junior Trophy (Class 16A) and the National Junior Award (Class 16), with the winner qualifying for selection process for the Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year award. Navigators will participate in separate scoring and will be also awarded. The TV coverage is captured by On the Limit Sports. The viewers can view the series on TG4 and RTE Player in Ireland, as well as on satellite channel, YouTube and Motorsport.tv. A total of 113 competitors have participated in at least one championship event. Top 10 drivers overall: ALMC Stages Rally event originally scheduled on 15 July

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1166-524: The National Section of the rally. The 2019 Clonakilty Hotel West Cork Rally event took place on 16 & 17 March. The race was run by Greg McCarthy, Clerk Of The Course and the Deputy COC Steve Davis. The rally consisted of 15 special stages, totaling to 240 km (150 mi), and 160 km (99 mi) of liaison. Including juniors and historics a total of 205 entries were enlisted to

1219-618: The Oshkosh and the Green Bay (the machines were referred to by their town of origin). This is examined and illustrated in detail in The Great Race of 1878 by Richard Backus, Farm Collector, May/June 2004. In 1894, the French newspaper Le Petit Journal organised a contest for horseless carriages featuring a run from Paris to Rouen. This is widely accepted as the world's first motorsport event, and

1272-671: The Oval Racing Council and the National Stock car Association, despite the claim by the FIA affiliated ASN, Motorsport UK , to be the "governing body of all four-wheel motorsport in the UK". SCORE International , National Auto Sport Association and National Off-Road Racing Association of the United States are also not members of the FIA affiliation system but may work with members for international matters. Although English dictionaries do not unanimously agree and singularly define that

1325-601: The Tarmac Championship. Frank Meagher won the 1986 event which was his first international win. There were also entrants from France and West Germany for this rally. A series of accidents involving spectators in other events took place in 1986. Event insurance premiums skyrocketed and that saw all rallying in Ireland come to a halt for the first six months of 1987. As a result, the West Cork Rally did not run in 1987, and it dropped back to national status in 1988. It

1378-565: The West Cork Rally. The rally was very competitive with many leading talents taking part including John Price , Bob Fowden and Liam O'Callaghan . Both Price and O’Callaghan won the rally twice but both were outdone by Fowden who claimed the title three times – 1995, 1997 and 1999. Fowden is something of an iconic figure at the Rally and his three titles are the most won by any driver. Other well-regarded drivers in this period were Frank O'Mahony , Gwyndaf Evans , Denis Cronin and Liam McCarthy . Liam,

1431-412: The authority of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) over vehicles with one to three wheels, which FIM calls motorcycle sport. FIM and FIA are both recognised as international sports federations by the International Olympic Committee . Within the FIA's structure, each affiliated National Sporting Authority ( ASN ) is recognised as the sole authority in their nation. Permission of

1484-492: The big names who were forced out with Ger Buckley claiming the title that year. 1981 saw Zanussi come on board as the events first major title sponsor and Tony Pond became the first overseas driver to win the rally in a Vauxhall Chevette HSR . Zanussi were to stay on board as title sponsors for six years in total as the rallys profile grew each year. This was the era of Richie Heeley , Russell Brookes , Frank Meagher , Mark Lovell and Kenny McKinstry . Along with coming into

1537-519: The cars and courses used in special stage rallying with the elements of navigation and itinerary removed, and not necessarily requiring a co-driver to call pacenotes . Rallying involves driving to a set itinerary, following a prescribed route and arriving and departing at control points at set times with penalties applied for diverging from the route or arriving late and early. Rallies nearly always involve routes on open roads, closed special stages are used on some rallies where competitors drive against

1590-516: The character of a particular competition, series or championship. Groups of these are often categorised informally, such as by vehicle type, surface type or propulsion method. Examples of categories within a discipline are formula racing , touring car racing , sports car racing , etc. The first prearranged match race of two self-powered road vehicles over a prescribed route occurred in the north west of England at 4:30 A.M. on August 30, 1867, between Ashton-under-Lyne and Old Trafford, Manchester ,

1643-686: The clock, the winner having the shortest, lowest average or total time. Hillclimbing events often include classes of competition for various categories and ages of vehicle and so may be incorporated into car shows or festivals of motoring such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed . Hill climb courses can be short at less than 1 mile, or several miles long such as the 12.42 mile Pikes Peak course in Colorado , USA. Sprints are governed by national FIA member ASNs in United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia, amongst other places. They are held on courses that do not climb

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1696-509: The clock. The classification of these rallies are determined by summing the times set with the fastest crews being victorious, as found in the World Rally Championship . This method is often called rally racing or stage rallying informally, whilst rallies that do not include special stages are distinctly regularity rallies . Rallies that include routes that cover terrain off-road are also known as rally raid or cross-country rallies,

1749-440: The event. Overall winner was Craig Breen , only 22.2s ahead of Alister Fisher . The 2020 Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally was scheduled to take place on 14–15 March, and traditionally host Irish Tarmac Rally Championship round as well as the British Rally Championship round for the second year running. On 12 March the event was postponed in the light of the coronavirus pandemic . On 20 March, Motorsport Ireland issued

1802-472: The fifth year in a row. The calendar, consisting of the same eight biennial events was announced. The best seven scores will count, in addition, the final two rounds will offer bonus points. There will be overall awards and awards for each of the 20 classes. Other awards include the Motorsport Safety Team Group N award, the rally.ie award (highest two-wheel drive in overall classification) and

1855-730: The finest machinery available. 2000 marked the first victory for a Subaru Impreza WRC in the hands of Stephen Murphy. Since that year, the Impreza WRC has won eight times, becoming the dominant car. Before the Subaru came along, Ford cars reigned supreme. The first four winners were all Ford Escort RS1800s and later the Ford Sierra Cosworth and Ford Escort Cosworth were strong, the Escort Cosworth being driven by Bob Fowden for each of his victories. The rally has only failed to run twice in

1908-439: The general form of time trials and sprints. Hillclimbing is the most widely known form of time-trial due to its status as the only time trial or sprint form to have international FIA championships and endorsement. Its origins begin near the start of motorsport, particularly with the trials held that tested the capabilities of early automobiles to tackle uphill gradients. Contestants complete an uphill course individually and against

1961-447: The general rule of participants completing a course individually with the intention of setting the shortest time or highest average speed. This form of motorsport can be recreational or when competitive, rules may vary slightly such as whether to include the total time of several runs, the best time set, or the average pace of multiple courses to classify competitors. Qualifying sessions for circuit races and special stages in rallying take

2014-490: The guidelines and will not be considered until after the 10 August 2020. On 19 May Motorsport Ireland cancelled the 2020 championship. Clubs might still be able to run events if they wish but it won't hold championship status. Only the round 1 took place before rounds 2-5 were postponed, and eventually all remaining rounds were cancelled. The 2019 season was launched on 26 January in Mondello Park , sponsored by Triton for

2067-499: The light of the coronavirus pandemic . On 20 March, Motorsport Ireland issued a statement that all motorsport events are suspended until 1 June 2020. After the government released a road map on easing the COVID-19 restrictions on 6 May, 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

2120-405: The morning of the rally when he arrived in Clonakilty! However the partnership was very successful and they took a very comprehensive win. The second event in 1978 saw the rally upgraded to a counting round of the new Shellsport Stages Rally Championship (the modern day National Rally Championship ). An ambitious route under the watchful eye of the relatively youthful Michael "Bones" O'Connor saw

2173-562: The most famous example being the Dakar Rally . In the United States, the National Off-Road Racing Association (NORRA) was founded in 1967 along with the Baja 1000 . Since the 1990s, this race has been organised by SCORE International whilst NORRA's events have closer followed the FIA regulations and standards for cross country rallies, although the association has no affiliation to ACCUS , the US's FIA member. Drifting

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2226-486: The next heat or winning the competition. Autocross has multiple general meanings based on country of use. Also known as Autocross in US and Canada and Autoslalom in Continental Europe, these similar disciplines are held in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. They involve precise car control, usually but not always against the clock on very short and compact temporary courses. Rather than being

2279-421: The past 47 years - the 1987 insurance crisis after a number of incidents in 1986 and 2001 cancellation to prevent the spread of Foot and Mouth disease. With the downturn in the economic climate, drivers faced greater challenges getting cars to compete in the rally. Despite these challenges, the rally continued to thrive and was an essential element to the Clonakilty tourism season. Donagh Kelly created history on

2332-720: The road for over 20 minutes on a stage that was ultimately cancelled. Ger Buckley his closest rival wasn't happy and appealed the decision to the RIAC, but the O'Connells were eventually awarded the win. The event lost its championship status for 1979, but that didn't hinder its progress as by 1980 upwards of 160 crews were starting the event, many of them travelling from all parts of the U.K. , including Billy Coleman , Roger Clark , Malcolm Wilson (now head of Ford Motorsport), Jimmy McRae (father of Colin McRae ), Ger Buckley and Bertie Fisher . The demanding West Cork stages proved too much for many of

2385-527: The sports regulated by FIA (under the name of CIK), permitting licensed competition racing for anyone from the age of 8 onward. It is generally accepted as the most economical form of motorsport available on four wheels. As a free-time activity, it can be performed by almost anybody, and as karting circuits can be indoors and not take as much space as other forms of motorsport, it can be accessible to retail consumers without much qualification or training. Non-racing speed competitions have various names but all carry

2438-423: The start with 28 classified finishers. Ger Buckley & John Caplice were scheduled to do the event, but in the week leading up to the rally Billy Coleman was looking to drive his cousins car. The plan was for Billy to drive and Ger to co-drive, but after a test Ger decided it was not for him and that his regular co-driver John Caplice would sit with Billy instead. John Caplice said he wasn't aware of this until

2491-614: Was a counting round of the Irish National Rally Championship for a number of years in the early days. In 2015 it became a full round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship for the first time, and remains a regular round since. While it became known as predominantly a clubman rally, it ran under an International Permit in 1986 and since 2016. Since 2019 the West Cork Rally hosts a round of British Rally Championship . The first West Cork Rally took place on 18 & 19 March 1977, and from an initial entry of 80 cars, 68 made

2544-669: Was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic . At the 2019 awards ceremony on 16 November it was announced that 2020 championship will consist of seven rounds, six of which will be counting rounds. The change in biennial calendar is the drop of Sligo Rally in September and return of Carlow Rally in May. The important championship sponsorship was offered to Triton Showers to extended for another year. Initially committed for five years term, Triton Showers agreed to remain as title sponsors for another year. On 12 March all motorsports events were postponed in

2597-518: Was cancelled prior to season start as the ALMC felt that there is lack of commitment to the event from the rally drivers, because there are too many rallies in June - July period. ALMC Stages Rally event was taking place since 1984. Sligo Rally was admitted to the calendar instead, but rescheduled from 15 to 8 of July due to 'exceptional weather conditions' and fears that the heat will melt the road surface. However

2650-651: Was developed from a scrapped John Bridge Adams light-rail vehicle. These were solid fired steam carriages. This event and the details of the vehicles are recorded in the contemporary press, The Engineer , and in Fletcher's books. The Wisconsin legislature passed an act in 1875 offering a substantial purse for the first US motor race, which was run on July 16, 1878, over a 200-mile course from Green Bay to Appleton, Oshkosh, Waupon, Watertown, Fort Atkinson and Janesville, then turning north and ending in Madison. Only two actually competed:

2703-408: Was still able to start 120 crews despite not attracting the star quality names of previous years. The early 1990s showed increasing recovery in participant numbers and the popularity of the rally. Drivers like Frank O'Mahony and Bob Fowden gained valuable experience in these years. The 1990s were an exciting time for the rally. Rallying in general was becoming more popular and this was reflected in

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2756-483: Was the first purpose-built motor racing track in the world. After which, permanent autodromes popularly replaced circuits on public roads. In North America, the term road racing is used to describe racing and courses that have origins in racing on public highways; distinguished from oval racing , which has origins at purpose-built speedways using concrete or wooden boards . Off-road racing can take place on open terrain with no set path, or on circuits that do not have

2809-628: Was the first to involve what would become known as automobiles. On 28 November 1895, the Chicago Times-Herald race , running from Chicago to Evanston and back, a distance of sixty miles, was held. This is believed to be the first motorsport event in the United States of America. In 1900, the Gordon Bennett Cup was established. Motorsport was a demonstration event at the 1900 Summer Olympics . Following World War I , European countries organised Grand Prix races over closed courses. In

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