West Cork Rally postponed as Motorsport Ireland suspends March events

Motorsport Ireland has suspended all of its events until 29th March following today’s COVID-19 announcement by Ireland’s Taoiseach Leo Varadakar to cancel all outdoor gatherings of at least 500 people.

Events affected by the suspension include this weekend’s West Cork Rally which was due to mark the second round of both the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship and the British Rally Championship.

“The West Cork Rally and Cork Motor Club will always put the safety and well being of the public first,” said West Cork Rally Clerk of the Course, Steve Davis. “And while it is unfortunate that we have had to make this decision at such a late stage, the CMC team believes it the right thing to do.”

“We wish to express our sincere apologies and thanks to our sponsor, The Clonakilty Park Hotel, all our associated sponsors, the dozens of competitors who have entered the event, those who have already traveled long distances, those who were set to travel, all our volunteers and those who had so many plans in place for what was set to be a fantastic weekend of rallying in West Cork.”

Whilst a new date for the event hasn’t been confirmed, rally organisers are hopeful that one can be agreed in the next few weeks.

The Moonraker Forest Rally, which was due to take place on 29th March, has also been postponed. The Munster Car Club event forms part of the Irish Forestry Championship which lost its second round earlier this month when the Limerick Forest Rally was called off due to heavy snowfall.

Photo by Rally Through a Lens / Alan Noonan