The Irish Tarmac Rally Championship travels south for its penultimate round – the Cork 20 International Rally.
The two-day event will be crucial for several category contenders as Ireland’s leading rally series edges closer to its Ulster finale later in August.
Last year’s winners Josh Moffett and Andy Hayes will carry the number one door card on their Hyundai through Cork’s fast stages.
After crashing out during their Donegal International Rally defence, the reigning Irish Tarmac champions know victory on the Cork 20 is essential if they are to put pressure on in-form championship leaders Callum Devine and Noel O’Sullivan.
Devine, who finished 8.4 seconds behind Moffett in Cork 12 months ago, is on an impressive winning streak in the Samdec Security supported international series. A hat-trick of wins on the Circuit of Ireland, Rally of the Lakes, and Donegal International Rally gives him a 14-point lead at the top of the ITRC standings.
Meirion Evans and Robert Barrable are seeded third and fourth respectively for the bank-holiday weekend rally. Irish Tarmac’s policy of two dropped scores keeps them in title contention but like Moffett they’ll need a top result in Cork to keep their hopes alive.
A strong Rally2 line-up extends throughout Cork’s top 20 featuring recently crowned Northern Ireland Rally champion Jonathan Greer and previous Irish Tarmac champions Declan Boyle and Gareth McHale.
Shane Quinn currently leads the front-wheel-drive category but will have to be at his best to keep his championship rivals behind.
Matthew Boyle, Casey Jay Coleman, Cian Caldwell, and Ioan Lloyd will be ready to do battle once again in another tantalising tussle for Rally4 honours.
After his first ITRC top score last time out in Donegal, Eddie Doherty has a great chance to strengthen his prospects of a maiden Modified ITRC title with a strong result in Cork. He holds a 33-point advantage over Gary Kiernan with two rounds to go.
