Previewing top-class Killarney Rally of the Lakes

World-class stages and an interesting array of Irish Tarmac Rally Championship crews make up this weekend’s Killarney Rally of the Lakes.

Keith Cronin and Matt Edwards have taken the early initiative in this year’s championship sharing wins in Galway, West Cork, and March’s Circuit of Ireland.

The two Ford Fiesta Rally2 drivers will continue their championship challenge in Killarney, seeded second and third respectively.

Four-time British Rally Champion Cronin is yet to put his name against Killarney’s iconic winners’ list, last competing on the famous event eight years ago. Meanwhile, Edwards will make his Killarney debut on this year’s event.

Josh Moffett, who lies third in the Irish Tarmac standings, has opted out of the Rally of the Lakes. Moffett’s omission, and Cronin and Edwards’ limited Killarney experience could well play into the hands of defending Rally of the Lakes winners Callum Devine and Noel O’Sullivan.

Back-to-back accidents on the West Cork Rally and Circuit of Ireland have halted the Volkswagen Polo R5 pairing’s Irish Tarmac hopes. The defending Irish Tarmac Champions kicked off their latest campaign with a runner-up finish in Galway, their best result in Galway to date.

Lying fourth in the championship, Devine knows he’ll have to repeat his Killarney form from the past two years to ignite his ITRC hopes this season.

The Citroen C3 Rally2 of Jonny Greer and Niall Burns is seeded fourth, one place ahead of the returning Cathan McCourt and Brian Hoy. Both crews are more than capable of a top result.

Onthepacenote’s Killian Duffy gives his take on the tests along Beara Peninsula and around Killarney:

Molls Gap (17.5 km) – SS1

A stage that needs no introduction. It is still an epic challenge even though the road keeps getting wider.

There has been a chicane added after the gap now as well but it is a super stage. Rallying doesn’t get much better than this.

Healy Pass (11.5 km) – SS2/5

Another Killarney classic and a fantastic stage to do after Molls Gap.

The cars will roar up the mountain over the first half of the 11-kilometre test. There is generally good grip over the full stage.

The second half of Healy Pass features the famous downhill hairpins that makes it one of the most picturesque stages in the country.

Cod’s Head (14.3 km) – SS3/6

Killarney’s third stage on Saturday is a cracking stage. It is fast at the start with a lot of work in it, there will be no time for crews to relax and enjoy the coastal views.

Running along the tip of Beara Peninsula, the stage weaves its way between mountainsides and cliff faces as cars skip their way over the bumpy, twisty, narrow road.

Where else would you get it?

Ardgroom (18.5 km) – SS4/7

Ardgroom is probably the most difficult 18 kilometres rally drivers can do in Ireland. It is rewarding and generally, the grip levels are good but it is just incredibly busy.

There are a few slippery sections where the stage narrows. Relentless is the only word for it and we can’t wait to see the reaction of crews when they reach the end of it.

Kilmacalogue (9.8 km) – SS8

Kilmacalogure is a nice way to end day one of the Lakes. Corners can get a bit slippery under the trees, especially if it is wet.

There are some fast, blind sections as well which are challenging as crews once again wind their way along the rugged coastline.

Gornagane (19.6 km) – SS9/12

A long committed stage to kick things off on Sunday morning. There is a lot of driving in it with a few high-speed, narrow sections and short corners mixing it up as well.

It is different to Saturday’s itinerary but it is yet another fantastic challenge for crews to overcome.

Meentoges (10.9 km) – SS10/13

Meentoges is completely different from the rest of the Rally of the Lakes stages. It is a more traditional inland Irish rally stage.

The start of the stage will be familiar to many although it will usually have been driven in the opposite direction. It is a nice test with some loose-stone sections and again not a stage that crews can relax on.

Ballintourig (14.3 km) – SS11/14

Killarney’s Rally of the Lakes finale is going to be tricky enough. There are a few chicanes and a few edge-of-your-seat corners that could make Killarney’s finish all the more interesting.

It is a more traditional inland stage but Ballintourig’s nature means the rally most certainly isn’t over until crews reach the end of this one.

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Photo by D Harrigan Images