A new season is always exciting. Nerves abound in the build up to opening day, the first time to tackle a stage in anger. New cars are ready, shiny liveries awaiting their first peppering of gravel and a bumper calendar of events designed to provide the ultimate test to drivers and navigators alike.
This weekend the wraps come off the 2025 Sligo Pallets Forest Rally Championship, and the excitement is at fever pitch.
Heading to Arklow, the 2025 Irish loose-surface series kicks off with a brand new event with the Carlow Forest Rally, with it bringing the series back to the East of the country for the first time in over a decade and ensuring that this year’s calendar will truly bring competitors to all four corners of the Island.
Originally due to begin in February, the season opening Donegal Forest Rally was forced to postpone due to the significant damage caused by Storm Eowyn, but the club are working closely with Motorsport Ireland & the Championship team to find an alternative date.
With a bumper 125 car entry received, the season is set to truly kick off in style with six stages and just shy of 65km of high-speed gravel action in store across the Wicklow Mountains.
This includes Keith Cronin and Mikie Galvin who have entered the Carlow Forest Rally, the opening round of the 2025 Sligo Pallets Forest Rally Championship.
New also for 2025 is the Class Point Scoring system, with a much clearer advantage now on offer for the victor who will claim 20 points, with 17 for second, 15 for third and so on. This gives a much bigger incentive to competitors to push for class victories and reward performance on events.
The busiest class in 2025 will remain Junior 1000, the ultimate proving ground for young talent has blossomed into 30+ car entries on events as drivers from 14-17 years of age get to compete on full gravel rallies under the guidance of experienced navigators who also handle the road section responsibilities.
The J1000 series is supported once more this year by the Craig Breen Foundation, continuing the legacy of the support Craig initiated in 2023 and to date has given thousands of Euro in support to budding Rally stars.
