Promoted and organised by Galway Motor Club, the rally first ran was in 1971. The Galway International Rally is the oldest International rally events in Ireland’s motorsport calender.
It is certainly one of the strongest entry lists seen on an Irish rally for some time with many of the top drivers in Ireland lining up to do battle on the stages. As usual the rally is the opening round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship and with many of the current crop of top drivers moving to R5 machinery for this year it could be one of the most competitive championship seasons in a number of years.
The Challengers
Over 130 entries have been received to date. Among those entered are last years winners Josh Moffett and Andy Hayes (Hyundai i20 R5) who had a highly successful 2022, becoming Tarmac Champions along the way. Moffett’s big rivals from last year’s Galway International, Welsh crew Meirion Evans & Jonathan Jackson, are also looking to take part in their usual Melvyn Evans Motorsport prepared VW Polo.
Also among the entries to date are Sam Moffett, Cathan McCourt, Tim McNulty, Gareth MacHale, Robert Barrable, Jason Black, Gary Kiernan, and Kevin Eves. Early local entries include Justin Comer, Pat Kelly, John Coughlan, Des Lyons, and Dylan Donoghue.
The Course
The two-day event will see centralised service in the town of Loughrea, with short road sections between the special stages. There are 15 stages scheduled for both Saturday & Sunday with the first stage due to start shortly after 8.45am. The first car is due back at the finish ramp at approximately 4:15pm.
Images and Highlights of the event will be published here on our website and across our social media platforms.
