Coronavirus forces cancellation of Irish Tarmac Championship

The 2020 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship has been abandoned as rallies continue to be cancelled or postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Members of the Tarmac Rally Organisers’ Association came to a unanimous agreement that this year’s championship should be axed.

“It was a difficult decision to make,” admitted TROA chairman Colman Hegarty. “But I believe it is in the best interests of everyone involved.

“I’d like to thank our registered competitors, sponsors, and fans for their understanding and support in these difficult times.

“We hope to see you all next year for a full championship.”

No ITRC rounds have taken place since the Galway International Rally opened the championship in February. Five of the remaining six rounds have been postponed or cancelled since the COVID-19 outbreak.

The championship’s penultimate round, the Ulster International Rally, was the most recent to announce its postponement.

ITRC organisers have made it clear that any of its rounds can still take place as a non-championship event.

Alastair Fisher led the championship after taking his maiden Irish Tarmac win in Galway, however, regulations state that a minimum of three rounds is required to recognise championship positions.

The last time the championship had to be cancelled was in 2001 due to the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

It is the first major rally championship in Ireland to announce its cancellation. The Southern 4 Rally Championship was called off a week ago. This year’s Scottish Rally Championship has also been cancelled.