National Rally Championship


The National Rally Championship 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 2011-2014, and Triton National Rally Championship between 2015-2020.

Seasons

2020

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 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 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.

Calendar

2019

The 2019 season was launched on 26 January in Mondello Park, sponsored by Triton for 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.

Awards

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 and the Mk. 2 Champions Trophy. The Juniors will compete for Junior Trophy and the National Junior Award, 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.

Broadcasting

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.
ClassGroupDescription
Class 1Nup to 1600cc
Class 1R1up to 1390cc - VR1A
1390-1600 cc - VR1B
Class 2Aup to 1600cc
Class 2R21390-1600 cc - VR2B
Class 2Kit carsup to 1600cc
Class 2N1601-2000 cc
Class 3A1601-2000 cc
Class 3R21601-2000 cc - VR2C
Class 3R3atmospheric 1601-2000 cc - VR3C
turbo up to 1620cc nominal - VR3T
diesel up to 2000cc nominal - VR3D
Class 3Super 1600Super 1600 rally homologation
Class 4Nover 2000 cc
Class 5R4FIA Appendix J260
Class 5R5all R5
Class 5S2000Super 2000 Rally
Class 6R-GTFIA R-GT homologation
Class 7Aover 2000 cc
Class 7WRC1.6T, 2.0T
Class 7S2000S2000 Rally 1.6T 30 mm Restrictor
Class 9ModifiedModified cars up to 1450 cc, 2 wheel drive
Class 10ModifiedModified cars 1451 to 1650 cc, not more than 2 valves per cylinder, 2 wheel drive
Class 11FModified FWDModified FWD cars 1451 to 1650 cc, more than 2 valves per cylinder, 2 wheel drive
Class 11RModified RWDModified RWD cars 1451 to 1650 cc, more than 2 valves per cylinder
Class 13ModifiedModified cars 1651 to 2100 cc, more than 2 valves per cylinder, 2 wheel drive
Class 14ModifiedModified cars 2101 to 3500 cc, 2 wheel drive
Max 2 valves per cylinder over 3000 cc
Class 154WDFour-wheel drive cars whose homologation has expired
Class 16JuniorsAppendix 29.1 Article 21
Class 18HistoricsArticles 17-19, Appendix 29.1
Class 19HistoricsAppendix K
Class 20ModifiedModified Four-wheel drive Cars

Calendar

RoundDatesEventRally HQOrganizer
124 FebruaryAbbeyleix Manor Hotel RallyAbbeyleixBirr & District Motor Club
224 MarchMidland RallyLongfordMidland Motor Club
328 AprilMonaghan RallyMonaghanMonaghan Motor Club
42 JuneCircuit of MunsterLimerickLimerick Motor Club
530 JuneRaven’s Rock RallyWaterfordCarrick-On-Suir Motor Club
614 JulySligo RallySligoConnacht Motor Club
725 AugustGalway Summer RallyGalwayGalway Motor Club
827 OctoberFastnet RallySkibbereenSkibbereen & District Car Club

Results

A total of 113 competitors have participated in at least one championship event.
Top 10 drivers overall:

  • Note: # - did not start

    2018

ALMC Stages Rally event originally scheduled on 15 July 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 the heatwave persisted and this date was also cancelled. Eventually the rally took place on 2 September.
Carlow Mini Stages Rally organized by Carlow Motor Club and held on 20 May was not a championship counting round. Best five rounds out of seven counted towards championship title.

Calendar

Results

Top 10 drivers overall:

  • Note: # - did not start
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