Crews set for Killarney’s world-class Rally of the Lakes stages

“The roads in Killarney are like nowhere else in the world, they really are second to none. I have done the majority of rallies around the world, from world rallies, European rallies, and national events. I haven’t found roads that would even come close to what I found in Killarney this year [2019]. To win there was really special and was definitely the high point of the year.”

It feels like an age since the last round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. And yet, the Circuit of Ireland took place less than three weeks ago.

The Irish rallying fraternity travels to Killarney’s Rally of the Lakes this weekend bravely embarking on life without one of its finest.

In the build-up to Killarney, I couldn’t get the quote above out of my head. They are Craig Breen’s words when he looked back on his stand-out event from that 2019 Irish Tarmac Championship winning campaign.

Craig thrived on the challenge of dramatically different characteristics through Moll’s Gap, Ardgroom, and Cod’s Head. As Ireland continues to remember Craig, it is befitting that this year’s Rally of the Lakes itinerary repeats those stages he loved so much.

Moll’s Gap, SS1/9/11

Killarney kicks off with one of Ireland’s most famous stages – Moll’s Gap. It is super committed as the road’s resurfacing has made it faster and faster over the years.

The club has had to combat this with the addition of chicanes but it still remains the “bragging rights” stage this weekend.

Crews turn left at the Gap this year where fans will have flocked to in their thousands.

Healy Pass, SS2/5

An awesome stage. It starts with a climb up the mountain and when you look back down it’s like a Scalextric track with an unending amount of perfectly placed hairpins.

Cod’s Head, SS3/6

This is a really tricky stage that is quite fast too. There is a lot of driving in it and plenty of places that could catch crews out.

Ardgroom, SS4/7

In my opinion, Ardgroom is the most difficult stage in Ireland, even possibly in the world. The only word to describe Ardgroom is relentless.

I would honestly expect somebody who goes on a good push through here to stake a good claim on the rally. They could easily gain over ten seconds in Ardgroom if they find the perfect balance between bravery and skill.

It’s a high-risk strategy, though, because of the number of traps, blind crests into corners, and bumps.

Kilmakilloge, SS8

Saturday’s final stage runs through Kilmakilloge’s harbour and if anyone is thinking of spectating then you could grab a bite to eat and watch the rally through the pub window.

It should be an enjoyable stage to finish a tough day of rallying along the Beara Peninsula.

Ballaghbeama, SS10/12

Sunday actually starts with another run through Moll’s Gap with crews heading to Ballaghbeama afterwards.

We all know how incredible Ballaghbeama is by now – a lunar-like landscape separated by a narrow ribbon of asphalt.

It’s an awesome test with quite a high level of grip after an initial gravelly section.

Gortnagane, SS13/15

This is a shorter version of Gortnagane, it would have been used in this format back around seven years ago.

It is a great stage, really fast with a few traps. The fast sections culminate into real haymaker corners that usually provide some drama.

Knockrower East, SS14/16

A stage that has been used in different ways in previous years. It is tight and narrow to start with before opening out and turning into an absolutely flat-out stage.

Thanks to Onthepacenote’s Killian Duffy for the stage insight!

Photo by D Harrigan Images

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