2012 Valvoline Forest Rally Championship

Wednesday 25^th January  2012

The 2012 Valvoline Forest Championship roars into life on this Saturday’s Abbey Hotel Donegal Forest rally. Hosted by the Donegal Motor Club and based in Donegal town, the Clerk of the Course is Michael Kelly and he has planned a route of 65 competitive kilometers spread over 10 stages. The first car leaves Parc Ferme at 830am to head to the Pettigo area where two stages will be done twice. In the afternoon there are three stages repeated in the Barnesmore Gap area.

The forty five strong entry includes a mixture of forestry regulars and newcomers. The list headed by Vincent Mc Aree (Evo9) who was Valvoline Championship runner up in 2011. Enda Mc Nulty (Impreza) is next in line, ahead of Pat O’Connell (Evo9) who won this series in 2010. The next seeds include Martin Cairns (Impreza), Ian Cochrane (Evo9), Colin Britton (Evo9), Stephen Wright (Evo9) and Ger Lucey (Evo8). Next up are the all-singing and dancing rear wheel drive cars, with Frank Kelly, Adrian Hetherington, Seamus O’Connell (Escort Mk 2’) seeded ahead of the Toyota Starlet RWD of Shane Mc Girr.   

Commenting on the work done by the Donegal MC, John Quill Chairman of the MI Forestry committee said “We are delighted with the quality of the entry. Donegal MC have put in a huge effort putting the event together.

It's great that the northern lads get a round of the championship on their door step. Over the years they put in a huge effort supporting the national championship by travelling south to do the regular events. This year along Donegal the inclusion of the Dogleap and the Bushwhacker is just reward for their loyal support.”

The 2012 Valvoline Forest Rally consists of seven rounds:

Jan 28^th  Donegal Forest Rally

Mar 3rd Carrick-on-Suir Wm Loughman Forest Rally

Apr 15 Munster CC Moonraker Forest Rally

May 19 Cork MC Jim Walsh Forest Rally

July 8 Tipperary Sean Conlon Memorial  Forest Rally

Aug 4 Maiden City MC Dogleap Stages Rally

Sep 22 Omagh MC Bushwhacker ForestRally

Austin Shinnors PRO Valvoline National Forest Championship 

More Details from             087 9299590       / +353 87 9299590 or Email: johnsquill@gmail.com

www.irishforestrally.com