Trio of cracking Cork 20 tests to decide Irish Tarmac champions

September 26, 2024 Rallyinsight

It all comes down to this. The Cork 20 Rally’s eight stages will decide who becomes the 2024 Irish Tarmac Rally Champions.

Will it be Keith Cronin and Mikie Galvin, who have led the series since a ruthless opening round win in Galway, or will it be Callum Devine and Noel O’Sullivan whose championship fightback began with wins in Killarney and Donegal?

Cronin stalled Devine’s Skoda attack on August’s Ulster Rally to ensure the 2016 Irish Tarmac Champion holds a five-point lead (after dropped scores) heading into Cork’s final round.

A second-place finish in Cork would be enough for Cronin and Galvin to claim the title but finish any lower, and the title will go to their friendly rivals Devine and O’Sullivan should their Skoda Fabia Rally2 top Cork’s timesheets.

Josh Moffett and Matt Edwards are out of the title hunt but both are well fit for a Cork 20 challenge on Sunday.

Visits from Meirion Evans and Josh McErlean add further intrigue to the front-end battle. McErlean hasn’t competed at an Irish Tarmac event since his class-winning performance behind the wheel of a Peugeot 208 R2 at 2019’s Ulster Rally. Where will his Skoda Fabia Rally2 slot in come the end of Sunday’s stages?

Devine and Cronin’s fight for Irish Tarmac honours isn’t the only championship showdown to feature in Cork. Damian Toner and Frank Kelly’s thrilling duel for the Modified ITRC title will culminate in undoubted flamboyant fashion on the Cork 20 Rally.

The pair of Ford Escort Mk2 pilots have been at their entertaining best with fast-paced driving matched with a few stories along the way. Toner holds a four-point advantage but effectively it is a winner-takes-all scenario.

So, sit back (or pack your bags and head to the Cork countryside) and enjoy what is set to be another iconic Irish Tarmac face-off.

Onthepacenote’s Killian Duffy gives us the lowdown on Cork 20’s three stages to host Sunday’s showdown.

Mullentaura (12.8 km) – SS1/4/7

This will be a great stage to get the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship’s decisive event underway. Mullentaura has a lovely flow to it from start-to-finish, making it a fantastic test for crews to take on.

There is plenty of driving through the weaving 12.8 kilometres with a few different sections to mix things up.

Badgers Hill (16.6 km) – SS2/5/8

Badgers Hill has been a familiar feature in recent Cork 20s. It is a difficult stage to master but based on brilliant stretches of road it will be a rewarding test for the crews.

There are different grip levels throughout its 16.6 kilometres. There is time to be gained on what will be the final test of this year’s Irish Tarmac season but crews will have to be switched on to maximise their attempts.

Chimneyfield (10.8 km) – SS3/6

The last stage in Cork 20’s opening two loops, Chimneyfield is omitted from the final loop to meet single-day mileage requirements.

The 10.8-kilometre test has a good mix of characteristics. The first third of the stage is going to be fast before becoming more varied afterwards.

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