Circuit of Ireland Rally 2015

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B9ZWsDRCIAAojZ0.png:large

Official website: http://www.circuitofireland.net/

Documents: http://www.circuitofireland.net/international-rally-documents--forms.html

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD-DShk9Sjk

The Circuit, which will run across stunning stages in counties Antrim and Down, will be part of the prestigious FIA European Rally Championship for the second year and counts as round two of the 2015 FIA ERC Junior Championship.

The rally will finish back in Belfast on the evening of Saturday April 4 and the winner will be crowned at Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, the site of the Rally HQ and Service Park, which will welcome over 1,000 competitors and team personnel over four days from Wednesday 1 April.

Following the success of last year’s rally, Eurosport Events will again broadcast footage of this year’s Circuit, and expects to attract more than 14 million viewers globally.

It’s anticipated the event will generate over £1.5m for the local economy, as thousands of spectators and teams officials travel to Northern Ireland, and book an estimated 10,000 bed nights.

Event Director, Bobby Willis said:

“The Circuit of Ireland was a sensational success this year which more than lived up to its billing of ‘legendary’ status by the ERC. We are delighted to have retained that honour for 2015 and plan to further build on our international reputation and profile.”

“Over 14 million viewers across the world watched the various stages in 2014 on Eurosport and its global media partners. The Circuit also demonstrated its international popularity with over a quarter of our visitors originating from outside Northern Ireland. A full entry list also saw 14 nations represented among the competing teams.”

“It is our goal to make it even bigger and better next year. We’ve already started talks with teams and individuals interested in competing and I’m confident that the quality of the line-up will be exceptional. The Circuit of Ireland is firmly back at the premium end of the international rally arena and we are really looking forward to an exciting Championship programme.”

Jean-Baptiste Ley, ERC General Co-ordinator said:

"We are very pleased the Circuit of Ireland Rally will form an important part of the ERC schedule for 2015. As expected, this year's event proved a great success with fantastic stages, including two in town centres, lots of fans, an excellent service park in Belfast's Titanic Quarter, plus the enthusiasm and professionalism of a dedicated and hard-working organising team."

[Nelly]

Lukynuk confirmed, great news!

[Jarek Z]

Following the success of last year’s rally (...)

I'm sorry, but what success?!



“The Circuit of Ireland was a sensational success this year which more than lived up to its billing of ‘legendary’ status by the ERC.

Really?!


"As expected, this year's event proved a great success "

I don't want to sound too negative, but is this guy living on the moon? Wasn't Circuit of Ireland the worst round of last year's ERC?

[WUff1]

No, this was Cyprus

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I'm sorry, but what success?!

Really?!

I don't want to sound too negative, but is this guy living on the moon? Wasn't Circuit of Ireland the worst round of last year's ERC?

You have expressed your normal negative opinion on this rally again, now let the rest of enjoy this event.

The drivers certainly enjoyed it in 2014:
Breen: 'These are the finest tarmac stages in the world to drive'
Abbring: 'This is how rallying should be'
Lappi: 'The Fabia performed wonderfully and the numerous jumps were a lot of fun. At times the stages felt like 'Finland on asphalt'.

[tolis]

No, this was Cyprus
Why?

[WUff1]

Why?

Because of the regulation mix (tyres) between ERC and APRC.

EDIT: I understand APRC is important for Rally Cyprus because of the quality of entries.

[tommeke_B]

It was MERC, not APRC. ;) Stage-wise Ireland may be great, but for spectators it's a difficult and dangerous event in my opinion. Also competition-wise it's not a great value for ERC, (almost) no local drivers doing the event.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

With a lengthy ERC season planned for Lukyanuk and Chervonenko, the crew are next heading to Ireland, which should be the first full tarmac rally for Alexey, but they are not planning to stand back and watch.

“We have a big test program planned before the Irish ERC round, which will be a very specific asphalt race with jumps and narrow roads. Asphalt is a new surface to me, but I hope that we will not look pale. My first race in the R5 was on tarmac and I showed that I have the level of confidence to drive on the surface – i’m not afraid of it. We have a lot to learn, but i’m sure we will work hard and get a comfortable pace. Sure, the rally will maybe be dominated by Craig Breen, it being his home rally, and Kajto, also a very good driver on asphalt. We will catch up, step-by-step,” added Lukyanuk.

It is also rumoured that the crew has got an offer from M-Sport for official manufacturer support.

[Wim_Impreza]

I agree with Jarek Z once again. For me, It was also the worst event last year in the ERC with a disapponting entry list (almost no local entries) and the winner was known very early.

Cyprus was one of the best events to watch in 2014 in my opinion.

[Fly]

I agree with the poor ERC list. But you all know there's the national round of the COI.
Guys like Jennings, Boyle even youngsters like Desi Henry drove the national event last year.
If you mix both, the entry is good. But Irish drivers rather drive WRCars or RWD. The classes don't match with ERC.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

... the (2014) winner was known very early.



The main problem last time was the unreliability of the 208T16's of Breen and Abbring in this respect.. not the fault of the event.

This year the 208 has already proved reliable and with the Fiesta's of Kajto and Lukyanuk entered I dont see how the competition is any worse than any other 2015 event. And Skoda arent entered anywhere in the first half of the season so that is not the CoI's fault either.

As Fly says, the CoI has a huge National entry running alongside so provides plenty of great rallying for the fans.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Tarabus Skoda S2000 entry also confirmed: http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/7091/t/Tarabus-to-Ireland-for-Erc-thriller

Hudec is also entered in a Skoda. Hudec, who was runner-up in last season’s ERC Production Car Cup and is campaigning a Skoda Fabia Super 2000 in this year’s ERC, said: “I hope we can do well because it’s Tarmac and normally I am much faster on Tarmac.”

Emil Bergkvist, who emerged as a star of the future when he won the opening round of the ERC Junior Championship in Latvia, is set chase more European success when he contests the Circuit of Ireland Rally.

[Jarek Z]

You have expressed your normal negative opinion on this rally again, now let the rest of enjoy this event.

Yes, of course, that's just my opinion about last year's event. Don't worry, I'm not going to spoil the fun for anybody who likes this rally.

[PLuto]

Hudec is also entered in a Skoda. Hudec, who was runner-up in last season’s ERC Production Car Cup and is campaigning a Skoda Fabia Super 2000 in this year’s ERC, said: “I hope we can do well because it’s Tarmac and normally I am much faster on Tarmac.”

Hudec is not entered :stareup:

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Breen & Meeke help at CoI launch:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B-n5wRFUAAARed8.png:large

http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/7105/t/Erc-star-Breen-helps-launch-the-Circuit-of-Ireland

http://www.circuitofireland.net/pr6-240215.html

[Mintexmemory]

Anyone in mainland uk fancy hire car share to follow CoI - meet up in Belfast or wherever flights are cheapest?
Actually meet at Dublin is by far the cheapest option!
£38 return from Stansted to Baille Atha Cliath (Dublin)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Combilift Rallying ‏ (Monaghan rally driving brothers, Sam and Josh Moffett)

'Good day at Circuit of Ireland launch, entries are open and we've registered for FIA ERC points! Hurry up Easter!'

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B9LHHVfIYAARHwU.jpg:large



https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B-nYu5bXEAA4oOe.jpg:large

[Tom206wrc]

Breen & Meeke help at CoI launch:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B-n5wRFUAAARed8.png:large

http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/7105/t/Erc-star-Breen-helps-launch-the-Circuit-of-Ireland

http://www.circuitofireland.net/pr6-240215.html



Could we expect the presence of Kris Meeke as a driver :confused:

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Could we expect the presence of Kris Meeke as a driver :confused:

No, he was just there as its in his home country and also to promote the event as a future WRC rally. He said there needs to be more tarmac rounds in the WRC and the CoI would fit the bill..

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Kris Meeke said: “The Circuit of Ireland is a fantastic event on some of the best tarmac roads in the world.* It’s great that it’s now part of the ERC, and I may be biased but I would dearly love to see it included in the WRC as I believe it could easily carry itself.”

[satnav]

It was MERC, not APRC. ;) Stage-wise Ireland may be great, but for spectators it's a difficult and dangerous event in my opinion. Also competition-wise it's not a great value for ERC, (almost) no local drivers doing the event.

Looking at your post you state that in your opinion it's a difficult and dangerous event for spectators , why ?

[John Williams]

Looking at your post you state that in your opinion it's a difficult and dangerous event for spectators , why ?

The most dangerous thing about COI is drinking too much Guinness the night before.

It's also probably the easiest event ever to spectate on.

[WRCKE]

The most dangerous thing about COI is drinking too much Guinness the night before.

It's also probably the easiest event ever to spectate on.

you can miss some steps than :-) :-)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Plenty of spectator-friendly stages in the towns announced: :)

'This year’s Circuit of Ireland Rally will include two of the fans’ favourite tests – the spectator stages in Newtownards and Lisburn.

The Newtownards stage will go live on Friday 3 April, while the action switches to the streets of Lisburn on Saturday 4 April. The final stage of the event will be a Power Stage at Lagan Valley Island in Lisburn. While full details of the route have yet to be made public, fans will first see the ERC stars in action on the Qualifying Stage, based at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Ballycultra Village on Thursday 2 April. This will be followed by a ceremonial start at Belfast City Hall that evening.

Those wishing to see the cars close up and chat to the drivers should head to the regroups, which will be in Downpatrick on the Friday and Banbridge and Hillsborough Castle on the Saturday. The rally will finish back in Belfast on the evening of Saturday 4 April, with the winner crowned at Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, the site of the Rally HQ and Service Park.'

[Fast Eddie WRC]

First map:

https://scontent-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/10993497_10152854019372874_5194800361534467487_n.j pg?oh=a6285d91642425b4b87166e4d6cef9df&oe=554EFCD9

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Regarding safety on this event and other UK rallies, the following open letter to spectators has been issued by the UK MSA:

AN OPEN LETTER FROM THE MSA CHIEF EXECUTIVE 19 FEB 2015

This weekend marks the second anniversary of the tragic death of a spectator on the Snowman Rally, and of course on the Jim Clark Rally in 2014 three more spectators lost their lives in equally tragic circumstances.

As a result the Scottish Government, following an emergency debate in the Scottish Parliament, commissioned a major review of safety on stage rallies. This Scottish Government Motorsport Event Safety Review published its final report in January, and the MSA has since gone on record confirming its commitment to the implementation of the report’s recommendations, not only in Scotland but throughout the UK.

Clearly, there is going to be a period of transition while everyone concerned works as hard as possible to introduce the recommended changes. In the interim, I need to remind all spectators of the fact that they are ultimately responsible for their own personal safety.

I say this because despite these well-publicised tragedies, and despite the sport being well aware of the changes being brought about by the Scottish Review, I am astonished and dismayed that an irresponsible minority – and I stress minority – of spectators continue to display a wanton disregard for their own personal well-being.

This was brought home to me when viewing YouTube clips of last weekend’s Wyedean Forest Rally, and also from the truly shocking photograph from the same rally in yesterday’s Motorsport News (18 February, page 34) of a ‘spectator’ lying flat on the ground on the edge of the forest track, apparently taking a photograph extremely close to a competing vehicle.

This behaviour not only shows a complete disregard for personal safety but in addition places other spectators, officials and competing crews in danger. It also undermines the considerable efforts of the dedicated rally organisers, officials and marshals, who do all they can to ensure that events run as safely as possible.

The MSA is currently working on a daily basis with all other stakeholders in rallying, particularly the Forestry Commission, and I can confirm from discussions within the last few days that unless these few idiotic spectators concerned change their attitude immediately and behave responsibly, there will be no future for stage rallying in the UK. I am not talking about next year, or the year after; I am talking about right now. Even in the meantime, this sort of behaviour will mean that stages are cancelled and rallies disrupted or even stopped.

Please, for the sake of rallying in the UK, can all spectators take full responsibility not only for ensuring their own personal safety but also the future of the sport we all love.

Yours in motor sport,

Rob Jones
CHIEF EXECUTIVE

[Nelly]

Motorsport news in UK saying this morning that Skoda want to debut R5 on the circuit, just waiting FIA approval!

[Mirek]

That would be a real surprise for me but for sure it would be great if true. I have doubts though.

[liposh]

Yesterday in Czech TV in "Svet motoru" magazine they said Skoda want to debut their R5 in middle of April (so probably during Rally Sumava) ...but we will see.

[RICARDO75]

Also read that could be in Sanremo, a week after Ireland

[RS]

It could be that Skoda UK would pay for their appearance in Ireland.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Breen questioned on CoI, his 'home event':

What do you think of this year's Circuit of Ireland route?
“Last year’s route was perfect, and I’m pleased to see that this year’s route is very similar. One stage on the Friday has been taken out and the long one on the Saturday has been replaced by another equally long one, but other than that the route is pretty much identical. There was one stage last year that was particularly tricky, but you have some great stages like Hamilton’s Folly. The roads are really nice and it’s a joy to drive. I’m just very pleased to have the opportunity to drive there again.”

How important is it for you to do well in front of your home fans – and can you win?
“The Circuit of Ireland means so much to me. I’ve grown up watching the event – for many years I’d watch the rally go by sitting on my dad’s shoulders and go down to Waterford, where the rally was based for many years, to see the start and finish. Irish rallying is very close to my heart and to win the Circuit of Ireland would be very, very special.”

There are quite a few Tarmac experts in the ERC. Which drivers do you think are likely to be your main rivals in Ireland?
“It really could be anyone. Kajetan Kajetanowicz will be very quick and while I don’t think Alexey Lukyanuk has done a rally on Tarmac before, he’ll be very quick too. There are also a lot of local drivers who’ll be doing the event, so you have to consider them as well. It’s impossible to pinpoint anyone at this stage.”

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Also read that could be in Sanremo, a week after Ireland

Also Skoda Belgium spokesman declared hoping to debut the Fabia R5 in Ypres ...

[RICARDO75]

Also Skoda Belgium spokesman declared hoping to debut the Fabia R5 in Ypres ...

Must be debut of Fabia R5 in Belgium, not the first rally for the new car. Ypres is in June

[Mirek]

Also Skoda Belgium spokesman declared hoping to debut the Fabia R5 in Ypres ...

The premiere will be in April and even Belgium will see the car earlier.

[polo10]

Motorsport news in UK saying this morning that Skoda want to debut R5 on the circuit, just waiting FIA approval!
I think they will be busy that week , but not in Ireland...

[PLuto]

Motorsport news in UK saying this morning that Skoda want to debut R5 on the circuit, just waiting FIA approval!

I dont think we will see Fabia R5 in Ireland...

[Nelly]

Yeah I think Easter is coming s bit too soon this year, pity!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Confirmation of home entrants for the CoI and other ERC events in 2015 :)

Moffett brothers join the Erc

Irish rally brothers Sam and Josh Moffett will go head-to-head as they each drive a Ford Fiesta RRC in this year’s FIA European Rally Championship – beginning with their home round, the Circuit of Ireland (2-4 April).

Sam ran as high as third overall on last year’s Circuit of Ireland, and set a fastest stage time (on SS11, Bulls Brook 1) before a fuel pump problem forced his Fiesta RRC out of the event. Josh set 13 (out of 18) fastest stage times in the ERC Production Cup on the same event, and went on to win the class by over seven minutes in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX.
“We’re both going to concentrate on the Circuit of Ireland, Azores and Ypres and then see how things go,” said Sam. “We’d definitely like to go to Barum, and if the ERC is going well we’ll add Cyprus and others events into the programme too.”

The Moffett’s ERC rally programme has backing from DSV Logistics, Irish Farm Machinery (IFM), TaxPartners.ie and their own Combilift business.

http://d3jw5gs1mh13h6.cloudfront.net/uploads/photobank/seasons/2015/news/small/small_moffet_232.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Jason Craig ‏@JasonCraig120
This beauty is available for hire on the @CircuitIreland. Any takers? :)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_Xm4zjXEAAYlmv.jpg

[PLuto]

Jason Craig ‏@JasonCraig120
This beauty is available for hire on the @CircuitIreland. Any takers? :)

Keith will not use it?

[RICARDO75]

Keith will not use it?

And also is for sale

http://www.rallycarsforsale.net/clas/index.php?ct=fsrc&md=details&id=82535

[BMV]

Keith will not use it?

Keith owns his own car, bought from DGM

[makinen_fan]

Euan Thorburn to enter Circuit of Ireland and maybe Ypres
http://euanthorburnrallying.webs.com/apps/blog/show/43157854-thorburn-aims-high-as-he-enters-fia-erc-circuit-of-ireland

[Nornbugger]

Euan Thorburn to enter Circuit of Ireland and maybe Ypres
http://euanthorburnrallying.webs.com/apps/blog/show/43157854-thorburn-aims-high-as-he-enters-fia-erc-circuit-of-ireland

Pleased to hear this, I wonder will any others follow him over, Bogie would be nice to see too. There are certainly more S2000s/R5s in Ireland and the UK in the past year.

Marty McCormack hopes to do the event in a Fabia S2000, and I'd expect either Jonny Greer or Robin Philips will be out in the DS3R5, young Steven Wright has a Fiesta R5, I'd be disappointed if he doesn't enter too.

[noel157]

I dont think we will see Fabia R5 in Ireland...

Unlikely BUT you never know. Homologation is now set for Apr 1st according to reports, CoI start Apr 2nd.

[vino_93]

Enda McCormack and Joe McGonigle have S2000 too. Even if there aren't really fast ...

[cardy]

Euan Thorburn to enter Circuit of Ireland and maybe Ypres
http://euanthorburnrallying.webs.com/apps/blog/show/43157854-thorburn-aims-high-as-he-enters-fia-erc-circuit-of-ireland
great news saw him at Malcolm Wilson stages cracking driver hope he goes well

[garais22]

SRT Rally team before Ireland ERC rally testing in Czech Republic (PHOTO)

http://www.go4speed.lv/lv/news/erc/4323-srt-komandas-piloti-irijas-erc-rallijam-gatavojas-cehija-foto/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Johnny Greer was a the CoI media day, giving rides in the DS3 R5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcoFCfiOCqw

Fabia S2000 was also on track...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_wZjr9WwAA5tme.jpg:large

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Jonny Greer and Stephen Wright should have a great battle in this weekends West Cork rally in the R5 category, driving a Citroen DS3 and Ford Fiesta respectively.

Wright said he was entering the CoI: 'Our programme at the moment is not set in stone – we aim to start the year in March at the West Cork Rally closely followed by the ERC counting Circuit of Ireland on Easter weekend.'

[Simmi]

Anyone know when we're due an entry list for this?

[RICARDO75]

Anyone know when we're due an entry list for this?

Closing date for entries on March 17
Publication of Entry List on March 23

[AndyRAC]

Looks like there's more local support for this than previous years - and that's good. Both this event, and previously the IRC Rally Scotland have suffered from little local support, despite both being fantastic events. Would love to have seen both British WRC stars enter in the R5 versions of their WRCars.

[BMV]

Marty McCormack is planning on competing in a Fabia S2000

[PLuto]

Unlikely BUT you never know. Homologation is now set for Apr 1st according to reports, CoI start Apr 2nd.

Yes. But there are no plans to enter Fabia R5 to CoI...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Lukyanuk ready for ERC asphalt challenge

Alexey Lukyanuk is planning a big test programme ahead of a very rare appearance on asphalt on the Circuit of Ireland Rally, round three of the FIA European Rally Championship.

The reigning Russian and Estonian rally champion has shown spectacular form this year – coming from 23rd to third on the opening Jännerrallye and leading Rally Liepāja until he rolled his Ford Fiesta R5. Co-driven by Yevhen Chervonenko, Lukyanuk is still getting used to his new car – and he’s confident more speed is yet to come.

“I am very happy with the car but as always, you need more time to get used to new technology,” said Lukyanuk. “We have a big test program planned before the Irish round, which will be a very specific asphalt race with jumps and narrow roads. “Asphalt is a new surface to me, but I’m not afraid of it. Sure, the rally will maybe be dominated by Craig Breen, it being his home rally, and Kajto [Kajetan Kajetanowicz, the series leader] but we will catch up, step-by-step.”

[christy but]

Marty McCormack was in west cork at the weekend with a skoda s2000

[PLuto]

Marty McCormack was in west cork at the weekend with a skoda s2000

Yes, he wants to start on Circuit of Ireland.

[PLuto]

Robert Woodside will drive Tuthill's Porsche.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Robert Woodside will drive Tuthill's Porsche.

Cant wait to see more of this ! :cool:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeO6msuKCUM

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CAY39aEWAAAA6zb.jpg:large

http://www.tuthillporsche.com/blog/tuthill-porsche-enters-2015-circuit-of-ireland-rally/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great to have a Porsche back on the Circuit of Ireland after all these years ! :)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CAIcRtvWoAABTjw.jpg:large

[PLuto]

How fast he should be?

[N.O.T]

How fast he should be?

nothing special... tourist speed.

[vino_93]

How fast he should be?

He was there last year, with an Evo X. He was slow ...
http://www.ewrc-results.com/driver_info.php?e=13875&d=537396&t=Circuit-of-Ireland-2014

[dimviii]

He was there last year, with an Evo X. He was slow ...
http://www.ewrc-results.com/driver_info.php?e=13875&d=537396&t=Circuit-of-Ireland-2014

so much slower this year.

[Nornbugger]

How fast he should be?

He was a decent driver when he was more active, he had been away from the stages for a long, long time, he had hoped to do the 2013 event as it was 50 years since his Dad had won the event, it was cancelled because of snow but he came back last year. I've had the chance to sit in with him in the past and he knows how to drive, just his commitment on the narrow, fast, bumpy stages last year wasn't high enough, but that was to be expected all things considered.
I hope he gets plenty of testing time and can find more commitment for the quicker stuff, and that the forum warriors can appreciate that he is just a guy out having more fun than they are, in a nicer car than they will have, even in their dreams.

[AndyRAC]

10-15 years ago he was a promising driver, in fact I'm sure he was in the BRC, and he won the Severn Valley Rally in 2002.

[RICARDO75]

Eaun Thorburn

[PLuto]

Robert Consani with Citroen DS3 R5

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/q83/s720x720/11081021_404917486299862_70838099142387865_n.jpg?o h=5fb4658e90f2ed21d48b95bacf74e337&oe=5580C726&__gda__=1438020509_70bed7cd0a25096e8535ca544b982e4 3

More info in article - http://www.autosport.cz/clanek.php?cl=17056

[Tom206wrc]

Already a nice pre-entrylist on Ewrc-Results ;)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Robert Consani will drive a stunning new Citroën DS3 R5 in the 2015 FIA European Rally Championship.

The Frenchman, who currently lies third in the ERC Drivers’ standings, has swapped his Peugeot 207 S2000 for the new car.
Co-driven by Maxime Vilmot, Consani will debut the DS3 R5 on the Circuit of Ireland (2-4 April).

“A difficult task awaits us with the learning of this new car, the work of adjustments looks huge, but we are looking forward to familiarising ourselves with this fantastic car,” said Robert.

Having won 7,000 Euros in ERC privateer prize money already this year, Consani did say it was “time to man up and maybe invest in something bigger”. He’s a man of his word!

http://www.lemagsportauto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/consani_ds3r5_1.jpg

http://www.lemagsportauto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/consani_ds3r5_3.jpg

[Nelly]

Will Jonathan hirschi compete?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Entries closed this week for the race and have exceeded the maximum 140 permitted starters.

They include drivers from Poland, Russia, France, Hungary, Belgium, Sweden, Germany, Latvia and the Czech Republic as well as the UK and Ireland.

The full entry list for the rally, which roars into action over the Easter weekend, will be announced next week.

[RICARDO75]

Entry list on next monday

[Simmi]

Entries closed this week for the race and have exceeded the maximum 140 permitted starters.

Do you know if that is 140 for both ERC and National or just the ERC portion? Really looking forward to heading over there.

[Mirek]

140 in ERC field is for sure impossible. With 2015 rules a number of 40-50 is realistic.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Some disappointing news for the Irish fans.. :(

Irish Tarmac championship leader Donagh Kelly and 2013 champion Garry Jennings have opted to miss the next round of the series, the Circuit of Ireland National Rally. The national event runs on the back of the European championship international and counts towards the premier Irish series, the Tarmac championship and the Northern Ireland championship.

But despite winning the Galway International and West Cork rallies, and leading the Tarmac series for the first time, Kelly has chosen not to take part, as has Jennings.
However, both are entered in the Midland Rally, round two of the Irish national championship which takes place five days before the start of the Circuit.

Jennings, who led the Circuit national until crashing on the final stage last Easter, cites a number of reasons for missing out this year, but admits one is: "I can't actually win the Circuit of Ireland."

Cars like Jennings' S12 Subaru and the Ford Focus of Kelly, older generation two-litre WRC cars, are ineligible for the main European championship section of the Circuit.

He says: "It takes as much time, commitment and expense to do the national rally as it does to compete in the main international and, after a lot of thought, I've decided I can't do it this year.
"Yes, I could win the national part of the rally but I still wouldn't be a proper Circuit of Ireland winner. There is a big difference."

Declan Boyle, who became Tarmac champion after he won the Circuit National last year, is said to be "undecided" about lining up this time.

[PLuto]

140 in ERC field is for sure impossible. With 2015 rules a number of 40-50 is realistic.

There will be 50-60 crews in the ERC field.

[PLuto]

Will Jonathan hirschi compete?

Unfortunately no :(

[Mintexmemory]

Repeat appeal - anyone in UK or Northern Europe fancy a dash to Ireland for at least the 2 days of the event. Cheap flight to Dublin, meet up there, and share hire car costs to drive up to Ulster. PM me if interested

[Tom206wrc]

Can't wait to see the official entrylist tomorrow monday :bounce:

Especially the Junior R2 class ;)

[PLuto]

Repeat appeal - anyone in UK or Northern Europe fancy a dash to Ireland for at least the 2 days of the event. Cheap flight to Dublin, meet up there, and share hire car costs to drive up to Ulster. PM me if interested

I will be peronally on CoI, so we should finally meet personally ;)

[RS]

Robert Consani will drive a stunning new Citroën DS3 R5 in the 2015 FIA European Rally Championship.

The Frenchman, who currently lies third in the ERC Drivers’ standings, has swapped his Peugeot 207 S2000 for the new car.
Co-driven by Maxime Vilmot, Consani will debut the DS3 R5 on the Circuit of Ireland (2-4 April).

“A difficult task awaits us with the learning of this new car, the work of adjustments looks huge, but we are looking forward to familiarising ourselves with this fantastic car,” said Robert.

Having won 7,000 Euros in ERC privateer prize money already this year, Consani did say it was “time to man up and maybe invest in something bigger”. He’s a man of his word!

http://www.lemagsportauto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/consani_ds3r5_1.jpg

http://www.lemagsportauto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/consani_ds3r5_3.jpg

Inspired by Red Bull's F1 testing livery? It's certainly eye-catching!

It will be interesting to see how Consani gets on with the new car. I wasn't that impressed with him last year, but with a more modern car and more experience maybe he can make a step up..

[PLuto]

Inspired by Red Bull's F1 testing livery? It's certainly eye-catching!

It will be interesting to see how Consani gets on with the new car. I wasn't that impressed with him last year, but with a more modern car and more experience maybe he can make a step up..

Not so much impressed with him? In his first season with 4WD car, and with the oldest S2000 in the field? For me his speed was biggest surprise of ERC in last year.

[liposh]

Consani and his speed is OK, but in 2013 Bonnefis was the faster guy from those two in Renault team in my opinion.

[PLuto]

Yes, Germain was very fast. But as 2012 season was very good for Robert, 2013 season was very bad for him. He had lot of technical problems, he made lot of mistakes, he was changing codriver. Almost everything went bad...

[Ounin]

When looking the onboards on Eurosport Consani tends to remind me of Delecour's temper... Hope it doesn't reflects on his performance too much, don't say it does, but with this state of the art R5 there is some pressure now, he must perform very well.

[vino_93]

Bonnefis came from the cup, he did the job to become a professional driver. Consani is a good gentleman driver, nothing more.

[Mirek]

What is now with Bonnefis? Did he stop completely?

[Fly]

What is now with Bonnefis? Did he stop completely?

He stopped completely in 2015 to focus on his garage and on the lessons he gives at a driving school.
But he said he'll be back for fun in 2016 or after. No more international goals.

[Mirek]

Thanks

[PLuto]

He stopped completely in 2015 to focus on his garage and on the lessons he gives at a driving school.
But he said he'll be back for fun in 2016 or after. No more international goals.

I think one of the reasons were also new born twins and building house (he wanted focus to family).

[Simmi]

Entry list for the ERC portion - http://d3jw5gs1mh13h6.cloudfront.net/uploads/files/eventdetail/29/final_international_entry_list_for_fia__with_logos ..pdf

[Mirek]

The list is really good with 18 crews in the top machinery :)

Also 19 crews in junior championship is awesome!

[Tom206wrc]

Is it official complete entrylist(for ERC) :confused:
I've read somewhere spanish José Antonio Suarez would run Junior ERC in a 208 R2 from Ireland...and I don't see him on entrylist :mark:

[tommeke_B]

Great list, big contrast to the previous rounds. :)

[Simmi]

And the national entry - http://www.circuitofireland.net/uploads/4/6/5/9/465983/final_national_entry_list.pdf

[Nornbugger]

The list is really good with 18 crews in the top machinery :)

Also 19 crews in junior championship is awesome!

I make it 19 S2000 or R5 cars, Tommy Doyle who was rather handy in a Clio in the past is down at no.49 in a Fabia, really looking forward to this event.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great ERC entry for the 2015 event.. seems word has spread how great this rally is, plus more local drivers now have the modern cars. :)

Very good R5 / S2000 / RRC entry and this despite no factory Skodas this time !

[WUff1]

First good entry list this year with strong "local" participation in modern cars.

[CivEngine]

Is it official complete entrylist(for ERC) :confused:
I've read somewhere spanish José Antonio Suarez would run Junior ERC in a 208 R2 from Ireland...and I don't see him on entrylist :mark:

I've also read about Suárez but if He isn't on the entry list for the Circuit then, probably, He won't do the J-ERC program... We'll see, Nobody know about Suárez since they last appearance in Madrid (last rally of the spanish national championship).

[A FONDO]

National entries look fantastic. I hope for proper timing and multimedia. Otherwise the ERC list is the usual parody. If they drive in front of my house I would pull the curtain to not see them accidentially.

[PLuto]

National entries look fantastic. I hope for proper timing and multimedia. Otherwise the ERC list is the usual parody. If they drive in front of my house I would pull the curtain to not see them accidentially.

So why you are coming to this thread? I am looking forward to the event, entry list is really great.

[stefanvv]

I'm curious what Fisher will do with R5, looks like a fast driver, but I have no direct impressions

[N.O.T]

I'm curious what Fisher will do with R5, looks like a fast driver, but I have no direct impressions

don't have high hopes... he is average.

the entry is really good compared to what we got so far in ERC... should be a nice event with more than 2 contenders for the win.

[A FONDO]

So why you are coming to this thread?

Coz it's the only one for this event I could find.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Nice piece in the local press on the upcoming young Irish drivers hoping to impress on their local rally:

"Ireland's 'young brigade' are lining up to take on their European rivals on the Circuit of Ireland Rally.

Led by former World S2000 champion Craig Breen, they include Alastair Fisher, Marty McCormack, the Moffett brothers, Sam and Josh, Robert Barrable, Jonny Greer and Joe McGonigle, the new breed of ambitious young drivers who have embraced the changing face of Irish rallying.

While established names like Garry Jennings and current Irish Tarmac championship leader Donagh Kelly have opted to skip even the national division of the European championship Circuit, Breen and Co will lead the home challenge in a capacity entry list from 20 different countries.

Drivers like Breen, Fisher, McCormack, the Moffetts and Barrable, too, have not been content to stay in Ireland. They have been competing on the international stage, up to World championship level, but are now back in an effort to keep the Discover Northern Ireland Circuit title at home."

[christy but]

don't have high hopes... he is average.

the entry is really good compared to what we got so far in ERC... should be a nice event with more than 2 contenders for the win.

fisher is more than average to be fair..

[Fast Eddie WRC]

FIAERC.com: 85% of Circuit of Ireland entries are from the ERC

The Circuit of Ireland Rally has received a magnificent 53 car entry – with 85% of the field coming directly from the FIA European Rally Championship.
Out of those 45 ERC registered drivers, 13 are from the UK and Ireland and visiting competitors represent a total of 16 different countries. There are 15 R5 and Super 2000 cars from the top flight ERC division, while a record-breaking 19 ERC Juniors will also make the trip to Northern Ireland over the Easter holiday weekend.

The spectacular international field is complemented by a full entry in the Circuit of Ireland National Rally, meaning that fans will enjoy a capacity 140-car field, rich in quality and quantity, competing in counties Antrim and Down on 2-4 April.

“I truly believe the Circuit of Ireland is making huge strides forward and this fantastic entry list really bodes well for the future of the Circuit and indeed for rallying in general,” said Circuit of Ireland event director Bobby Willis. “In the past six years the organising committee has worked extremely hard and I feel quite emotional when I say, I believe we have fulfilled our strapline and really have woken up the sleeping giant!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CAxUKqhXIAARq7v.jpg:large

[RS]

So why you are coming to this thread? I am looking forward to the event, entry list is really great.

I think it's known as trolling..

Didn't the ERC field outpace the national entries last year anyway?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Didn't the ERC field outpace the national entries last year anyway?

No, the National Top 4 were quite a bit faster in their WRC cars...

[N.O.T]

fisher is more than average to be fair..

depends who you are comparing him with.

[satnav]

No, the National Top 4 were quite a bit faster in their WRC cars...

I think if you look at the results from last year there was only a Cpl of stages where the national runners were faster than the ERC field.

http://www.rallyscore.net/216/Circuit-of-Ireland-2014

[Nelly]

I think if you look at the results from last year there was only a Cpl of stages where the national runners were faster than the ERC field.

http://www.rallyscore.net/216/Circuit-of-Ireland-2014

Yeah the overall results were different because one stage of the national was canceled so they gained about 7 mins on the main field, but they were a good bit slower

[stefanvv]

depends who you are comparing him with.

I didn't asked for comparisons, but ok, guess will find out soon

[Nornbugger]

No, the National Top 4 were quite a bit faster in their WRC cars...

Wrong, check it out properly.

[N.O.T]

I didn't asked for comparisons, but ok, guess will find out soon

then you have to define "fast"...

[stefanvv]

then you have to define "fast"...

Well, seem to have good results in beginning in his career with 4wd production class in Irish Tarmac Championship. Last year in WRC3 too with R3. I know it's not much, but I kind of wondered what will happen now with "top" 4wd machinery. He seem promising young driver few years ago

[Jarek Z]

Didn't the ERC field outpace the national entries last year anyway?

Yes, you are right. The winner of ERC, Esapekka Lappi, driving Skoda Fabia S2000, was faster than the Irishmen driving their WRCs. I checked it very thoroughly last year, because I was very surprised and could'n believe it.

[Mirek]

it wasn't such a big surprise because it was same in 2012 with Hänninen and Mikkelsen.

[N.O.T]

you guys seem to give too much credit to the overweight village event competitors...

there is nothing surprising about a professional athlete to be faster than a rich old overweight guy who thinks he is fast no matter the equipment...

[Nornbugger]

you guys seem to give too much credit to the overweight village event competitors...

there is nothing surprising about a professional athlete to be faster than a rich old overweight guy who thinks he is fast no matter the equipment...

Trolling again, yet again you show your complete ignorance about the topic.

[N.O.T]

Trolling again, yet again you show your complete ignorance about the topic.

the topic is quite general...

you fit one of the descriptions and got offended ? i suggest you ignore people that you consider trolls.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Wrong, check it out properly.

I just compared the winning times.
Didnt know about the 7 mins taken off the Nationals..

Suppose the extra power of the WRC cars didnt matter with the twisty lanes.

[Mirek]

The extra power of course matters... a lot.

[Jarek Z]

The extra power of course matters... a lot.

If you know how to use it! :D

[BMV]

People need to remember that they are not Professional drivers. They are out for fun and if they win thats even better

[Nelly]

Any one know who is testing in monagahn at the weekend and which days?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The extra power of course matters... a lot.

Power matters but not so much on these technical, twisty, bumpy roads... the chassis is a bigger factor.

When WRC cars compete with a RRC/R5 on the Irish Tarmac Championship its only on the faster stages that they take time. They are also able to run higher gearing so have higher top speeds on any long flat-out sections.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Kajto testing for Ireland:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CA86LyrWcAAsywY.jpg:large

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Possible 'stealth' look coming for the Porsche 997 ??

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CA8LotmVEAAl3VZ.jpg:large

[Mirek]

Power matters but not so much on these technical, twisty, bumpy roads... the chassis is a bigger factor.

When WRC cars compete with a RRC/R5 on the Irish Tarmac Championship its only on the faster stages that they take time. They are also able to run higher gearing so have higher top speeds on any long flat-out sections.

Eddie, what You write makes little sense. I don't know where to start. if You think that CoI is twisty event go to Tour de Corse. If You think that engine matters less on twisty events You are again wrong. The engine matters the least where there are extremely fast flat out corners from start to finish such as in Finland. CoI has a lot of T-junctions where power actually matters a lot. Anyway the difference in power between WRC and R5 is so big that it always matters unless You have a snow stage without studs...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Eddie, what You write makes little sense. I don't know where to start. if You think that CoI is twisty event go to Tour de Corse. If You think that engine matters less on twisty events You are again wrong. The engine matters the least where there are extremely fast flat out corners from start to finish such as in Finland. CoI has a lot of T-junctions where power actually matters a lot. Anyway the difference in power between WRC and R5 is so big that it always matters unless You have a snow stage without studs...

So why are the WRC cars slower than the R5's when their drivers know their cars and roads far better than the ERC guys like Lappi last year ? Also, Breen & Abbring's new R5 was more powerful than the Skoda but the S2000 was faster due to its greatly more developed chassis..

Are you just saying that the Irish WRC drivers are that slow despite their greater power and active diffs etc ?

BTW, I have been following the Irish Tarmac championship for many years and have heard the discussion on why certain cars are faster others on these events many, many times. You dont have the monopoly on knowledge.

Regarding power vs chassis, I know from personal experience that a well set-up lower-powered car can easily be faster than a more powerful one with a poor chassis, out on the country lanes.

[Mirek]

There is hundreds of small reasons why somebody is slower than somebody else. One of them for sure is that the professional works drivers are faster. There's no point searching for excuses. It's a fact and it's not a shame for anybody to admit it. Of course also several years old WRC in private hands is hardly as fast as works one would be and it's also true that new cars usually have better suspension. Than come other points such as the risk works drivers can take while privateers sometimes drive even without insurance of the car, tyres, testing...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Final word on chassis vs power... A great example I remember was when Ragnotti's little Renault 11 Turbo with 180bhp beat the mighty, powerful Sierra Cosworth's & BWM M3's on the Tour de Corse in 1987, due to its superior cornering & braking ability. Never forgotten that as I had an R11T ! :)

[vino_93]

There was the same debat when WRC came to Ireland. People, fans of irish rallying, said that the best locals would fight with WRC regulars.
We've seen the result ... Irish drivers are good gentleman drivers, but only gentleman drivers.

[stefanvv]

Ragnotti was also kind of "works" driver. He was usually very fast on Corsica

[RICARDO75]

Final word on chassis vs power... A great example I remember was when Ragnotti's little Renault 11 Turbo with 180bhp beat the mighty, powerful Sierra Cosworth's & BWM M3's on the Tour de Corse in 1987, due to its superior cornering & braking ability. Never forgotten that as I had an R11T ! :)

Bernard Beguin won Corsica in 1987 with the Prodrive BMW M3, not the Renault 11 Turbo from Jean Ragnotti.
Raggnoti was very fast with the R11 Turbo in Corsica. His great skill and knowledge of the rally, allied to 900 kg and 185cv of the Renault 11, gives a good power/ weight ratio. The M3 and Sierra had over 300 kg than the R11

[RICARDO75]

Kajto testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBqVjWw6ImY

[RS]

Kajto testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBqVjWw6ImY

He's not hanging about!

[Seppala]

Hey folks,
I added the maps of the Circuit of Ireland Rally 2015 to my website.
Please NOTE that the route of the new stages are missing yet. But better than nothing, right?
Along with the stage maps I added the usual 3D tour and elevation charts stuff.

Also worth to mention is that I've added a few onboard videos from last year and added GPS tracking functionality to them. That means that the current position of the car is displayed in the map while you are watching the video.


Circuit of Ireland Rally 2015 - stages in google maps (http://www.rally-maps.com/Circuit-of-Ireland-Rally-2015)
Circuit of Ireland Rally 2015 - 3D stage tour (http://www.rally-maps.com/Circuit-of-Ireland-Rally-2015/3D-Tour)


http://www.rally-maps.com/img/Circuit-of-Ireland-Rally-2015-Map-Route.jpg (http://www.rally-maps.com/Circuit-of-Ireland-Rally-2015)

[stefanvv]

Bernard Beguin won Corsica in 1987 with the Prodrive BMW M3, not the Renault 11 Turbo from Jean Ragnotti.
Raggnoti was very fast with the R11 Turbo in Corsica. His great skill and knowledge of the rally, allied to 900 kg and 185cv of the Renault 11, gives a good power/ weight ratio. The M3 and Sierra had over 300 kg than the R11

that's true, but isn't Ragnotti's car also fwd? it's unfair comparison if it is. I'm sure BMW & Sierra are RWD. but not sure for the other one

[Coach 2]

It can not be true. Why would an M3 weigh 300 kg more than a R11 Turbo.
Yes it was FWD.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Kajto again: https://youtu.be/94c9JLhc6N0

[Fast Eddie WRC]

This article on the R11T from 1987 is very enlightening, 'Braking and Entering' ... http://homepage.virgin.net/shalco.com/renault11.htm

"This light little Renault can trip tarmac lights at remarkable, if not staggering, rates. Believe this: the first special stage of the third leg of this year's Tour de Corse was exactly the same as previous years. It ran for 28.77km from Notre Dame de la Serra to Point Cinque Arcate. Last year Bruno Saby won the Tour de Corse in his tarmac , sorry, Corsica , specification Evo2 Peugeot 205 T16; a car at the pinnacle of turbocharged Group 8 mechanical magnificence. That year he was also fastest on the Notre Dame de la Serra to Point Cinque Arcate test.

Bruno Saby needed 17 minutes and 38 seconds to thrust his 4wd E2 T16 over this 28.77km test. This year Jeannot Ragnotti hurled his 1419cc, carburettor-and-tiny-turbo engined fwd Renault saloon car fastest over those 28.77km. It took him 18 minutes and eight seconds , a mere 30 seconds more than Saby's mega-tech 4wd supercar. How can this ageing rally hatch be so rapid?"

"We have low power, but a very good power band, a very close-ratio gearbox, and therefore low top speed, so the car's acceleration is quite good, but even so, its standing 1/4-mile time is hardly faster than a standard Peugeot 205GTI 1.9: our Group A R11 Turbo does the standing 400m in 14.90 seconds, the new 1.9 GTI does it in 15.05s. So to be competitive we have to make the car as light as possible with as high a cornering speed as we can get."

"A component part of cornering is braking: the more efficient and stable a car's retardation, the quicker will be its elapsed time through a corner. And it's a complete understatement to say that there are many corners in Corsica. The multitude of twists, turns and gradients on the roads of this island make a car's braking performance critical to its Tour de Corse competitiveness."

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Back to the CoI and the speeds of the ERC cars vs WRC Nationals... in 2014 the National WRC drivers beat the ERC drivers on the longest stage of the rally (SS12 / 17, which was 29.02Km) ...

[Nornbugger]

So why are the WRC cars slower than the R5's when their drivers know their cars and roads far better than the ERC guys like Lappi last year ? Also, Breen & Abbring's new R5 was more powerful than the Skoda but the S2000 was faster due to its greatly more developed chassis..

Are you just saying that the Irish WRC drivers are that slow despite their greater power and active diffs etc ?

BTW, I have been following the Irish Tarmac championship for many years and have heard the discussion on why certain cars are faster others on these events many, many times. You dont have the monopoly on knowledge.

Regarding power vs chassis, I know from personal experience that a well set-up lower-powered car can easily be faster than a more powerful one with a poor chassis, out on the country lanes.

If you have been following the Irish Tarmac Championship then you will know that the Circuit of '12 and '14 were both run on roads that hadn't been rallied for some time. Mirek has covered well the reasons why the difference in pace between ERC regluars and Irish Tar front runners.

NOT, your comment regarding your percieved idea of what an top Irish rally driver is like is so wide of the mark that its actually funny, it matters none to me personally, but seriously, you pretend to me Mr Clued in and intelligent and often I do not have 1st hand knowledge to know different, but now as so often when I do know the real picture I find that you are just what the Irish might call a 'gobshite' You are all shout and very little knowledge to back it up.

[stefanvv]

This article on the R11T from 1987 is very enlightening, 'Braking and Entering' ... http://homepage.virgin.net/shalco.com/renault11.htm

"This light little Renault can trip tarmac lights at remarkable, if not staggering, rates. Believe this: the first special stage of the third leg of this year's Tour de Corse was exactly the same as previous years. It ran for 28.77km from Notre Dame de la Serra to Point Cinque Arcate. Last year Bruno Saby won the Tour de Corse in his tarmac , sorry, Corsica , specification Evo2 Peugeot 205 T16; a car at the pinnacle of turbocharged Group 8 mechanical magnificence. That year he was also fastest on the Notre Dame de la Serra to Point Cinque Arcate test.

Bruno Saby needed 17 minutes and 38 seconds to thrust his 4wd E2 T16 over this 28.77km test. This year Jeannot Ragnotti hurled his 1419cc, carburettor-and-tiny-turbo engined fwd Renault saloon car fastest over those 28.77km. It took him 18 minutes and eight seconds , a mere 30 seconds more than Saby's mega-tech 4wd supercar. How can this ageing rally hatch be so rapid?"

"We have low power, but a very good power band, a very close-ratio gearbox, and therefore low top speed, so the car's acceleration is quite good, but even so, its standing 1/4-mile time is hardly faster than a standard Peugeot 205GTI 1.9: our Group A R11 Turbo does the standing 400m in 14.90 seconds, the new 1.9 GTI does it in 15.05s. So to be competitive we have to make the car as light as possible with as high a cornering speed as we can get."

"A component part of cornering is braking: the more efficient and stable a car's retardation, the quicker will be its elapsed time through a corner. And it's a complete understatement to say that there are many corners in Corsica. The multitude of twists, turns and gradients on the roads of this island make a car's braking performance critical to its Tour de Corse competitiveness."

If You really want something impressive on twisty tarmac stages, should take for example FWD kit-cars from early 00's. Now that was something....

[nafpaktos]

a good example whether or not a private driver with wrcar is faster than an <official>driver with wrc2 car was beglium championsip in the past.prinsen against loix.of course prinsen is decent driver and not gentleman driver.

[nafpaktos]

1. #102 flag Boyle Declan - Boyle Brian icon Subaru Impreza S12B WRC '07 (JT07 SRT) 1:58:47.5 109.0

1. #2 flag Lappi Esapekka - Ferm Janne icon Škoda Fabia S2000 (11R 0245) 2:06:15.5 109.6

230.62 total distance for both events,so i see wrcars are faster.the average speed for erc winner is 109.6 and for national winner 109.why?

[Mirek]

Go back few pages. It's explained there. One stage was canceled for national field hence the difference. WRC drivers were not faster, they just run one stage less.

[Coach 2]

This article on the R11T from 1987 is very enlightening, 'Braking and Entering' ... http://homepage.virgin.net/shalco.com/renault11.htm

"This light little Renault can trip tarmac lights at remarkable, if not staggering, rates. Believe this: the first special stage of the third leg of this year's Tour de Corse was exactly the same as previous years. It ran for 28.77km from Notre Dame de la Serra to Point Cinque Arcate. Last year Bruno Saby won the Tour de Corse in his tarmac , sorry, Corsica , specification Evo2 Peugeot 205 T16; a car at the pinnacle of turbocharged Group 8 mechanical magnificence. That year he was also fastest on the Notre Dame de la Serra to Point Cinque Arcate test.

Bruno Saby needed 17 minutes and 38 seconds to thrust his 4wd E2 T16 over this 28.77km test. This year Jeannot Ragnotti hurled his 1419cc, carburettor-and-tiny-turbo engined fwd Renault saloon car fastest over those 28.77km. It took him 18 minutes and eight seconds , a mere 30 seconds more than Saby's mega-tech 4wd supercar. How can this ageing rally hatch be so rapid?"

"We have low power, but a very good power band, a very close-ratio gearbox, and therefore low top speed, so the car's acceleration is quite good, but even so, its standing 1/4-mile time is hardly faster than a standard Peugeot 205GTI 1.9: our Group A R11 Turbo does the standing 400m in 14.90 seconds, the new 1.9 GTI does it in 15.05s. So to be competitive we have to make the car as light as possible with as high a cornering speed as we can get."

"A component part of cornering is braking: the more efficient and stable a car's retardation, the quicker will be its elapsed time through a corner. And it's a complete understatement to say that there are many corners in Corsica. The multitude of twists, turns and gradients on the roads of this island make a car's braking performance critical to its Tour de Corse competitiveness."

I repeat, what Ricardo75 claim can not be right. Or so, we must rewrite some laws of physics, or how important weight is in motorsport.
If I remember right would weight limit for an M3 be 960 kg.
Weight limit for a R11 was 880 kg. 1419 * 1.4 (turbo) = The limit for cars until 2000ccm.
Renault managed to build a car that was only 6 kg over the weight limit, while BMW made cars that were more than 240 kg too heavy compared to the M3's weight limit. No way.
In that case I have to change how skilled I believe Jean Ragnotti was as a driver (not so good) and how good Bernard Beguin was (best on asphalt ever).

[RICARDO75]

It can not be true. Why would an M3 weigh 300 kg more than a R11 Turbo.
Yes it was FWD.

Sorry, +125kg. The Group A8 cars from 90's had about 1200 kg
Renault 11 Turbo - 900kg 185hp
BMW M3 E30 - 1025kg 290/ 300hp

[Coach 2]

I did not mean to be naughty Ricardo, but I think you are mixing together weight limits from different years.
If we take the limit for cars intill 2000ccm it was (if I remember right) 880kg until 1988. Then the 920kg. Since 1992, I believe it was 960kg, for later rise to 1000kg. We are now talking about group A. The current Gr R has other weight limits.
A8 cars under 90s I think had to weigh 1230kg.

[RICARDO75]

I did not mean to be naughty Ricardo, but I think you are mixing together weight limits from different years.
If we take the limit for cars intill 2000ccm it was (if I remember right) 880kg until 1988. Then the 920kg. Since 1992, I believe it was 960kg, for later rise to 1000kg. We are now talking about group A. The current Gr R has other weight limits.
A8 cars under 90s I think had to weigh 1230kg.

BMW M3 had 2300cc engine and 1025kg on 1987

[Jarek Z]

Kajto testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBqVjWw6ImY

Damn it! Is it just me or is he pushing like hell?

[Tom206wrc]

I've also read about Suárez but if He isn't on the entry list for the Circuit then, probably, He won't do the J-ERC program... We'll see, Nobody know about Suárez since they last appearance in Madrid (last rally of the spanish national championship).


Finally he will run the french 208 Cup like Nil Solans ;)

[wildboar]

Great black livery of the Porsche:

https://twitter.com/Tuthill_Porsche/status/581110499703685120/photo/1

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Check out last night's interview with Becs Williams (from World Rally Radio) as she is now working on the Irish Tarmac Championship... she is massively impressed with the rallies, cars, drivers and fans in Ireland.

Listen from 45 mins >: http://totalrallystudio.podbean.com/e/episode-10-season-4-25032015/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

CoI programme is out ...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBByZweW8AAT7rL.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

More Kajto videos:

https://youtu.be/f3gtRd66e5k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87hwdSOzgLg


And new Porsche pic:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBCbe8oWkAARFn0.jpg:large

[noel157]

Certainly looks well:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBCbgZbWAAEgBMD.jpg

[noel157]

More Kajto videos:

https://youtu.be/f3gtRd66e5k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87hwdSOzgLg




Spectator safety a bit "loose" on that test....
Road pretty similar to Ireland anyway.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Alastair Fisher's CoI Ford Fiesta R5 livery with ModernTyres :

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBDC0yXWoAAfl_5.png

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBDQ3-CVAAE4Azp.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBDCRKPWsAAYiYf.jpg:large

[John_P]

Check out last night's interview with Becs Williams (from World Rally Radio) as she is now working on the Irish Tarmac Championship... she is massively impressed with the rallies, cars, drivers and fans in Ireland.

Listen from 45 mins >: http://totalrallystudio.podbean.com/e/episode-10-season-4-25032015/

This is nothing special, she is mpressed everywhere where she is paid (by organiser).

[Fast Eddie WRC]

This is nothing special, she is mpressed everywhere where she is paid (by organiser).

She sounds genuine to me and who wouldn't be impressed with the variety of cars and great roads, plus real enthusiasm from the fans... its like rallying is virtually Ireland's national sport now.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Event preview now up on FIAERC.com: http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/7210/t/Event-preview%3A-ERC-Asphalt-Masters-thunder-into-high-speed-action-in-Northern-Ireland

Highlights

ERC ace Breen eager to join Circuit of Ireland heroes

Craig Breen aims to follow in a long and distinguished line of Irish drivers to win the Circuit of Ireland Rally, and in particular his “absolute hero and inspiration” Frank Meagher. An Irish rallying legend, Meagher won the Circuit in 1992 in a Ford Sierra Cosworth and, for the next 10 years, his spectacular driving style captured young Breen’s imagination. A good haul of ERC points is still the most important goal for the Peugeot Rally Academy 208 T16 driver, but there is no denying that Breen, a winner last time out in Latvia, would dearly love to add Circuit glory to his impressive CV. “I’ve got a big thing in my heart for the Circuit of Ireland,” said Breen. “It’s always been a dream of mine to follow my hero and put my name on the winner’s trophy too.”

Ireland versus Europe in intriguing ERC Tarmac encounter

Some of Ireland’s best drivers will go head-to-head for victory with Europe’s elite on the Discover Northern Ireland Circuit of Ireland Rally. In addition to Craig Breen, other Irish hopefuls include brothers Sam and Josh Moffett, who begin their ERC campaigns in identical Ford Fiesta RRCs, and Dublin’s Robert Barrable, who finished third on the event last year. Jonny Greer will be one to watch in his Citroën DS3 R5, Martin McCormack has recent world championship experience, while Stephen Wright graduates from ERC Junior. Alastair Fisher, nephew of event legend Bertie Fisher, gets a Ford Fiesta R5 for his Circuit return and will be a contender for victory.

Of the European contingent, top Pole and ERC leader Kajetan Kajetanowicz makes his Circuit debut in a LOTOS Rally Team Fiesta R5, while Charles Martin’s event preparations were given a boost when the 208 Rally Cup champion won his class on Rallye du Touquet – the Frenchman’s first outing in his Peugeot Rally Academy 208 T16. Czech drivers Jaromír Tarabus and Antonín Tlusťák (both ŠKODA Fabia S2000) are asphalt experts, although Alexey Lukyanuk (Belarus) and Estonia’s Raul Jeets have limited sealed-surface experience. Robert Consani will debut his new Citroën DS3 R5. Although he has started the Circuit of Ireland twice he admits a tough test is in prospect: “A difficult task awaits us with the learning of this car, the work of adjustments looks huge, but we are looking forward to familiarising ourselves with this fantastic car.”

Elsewhere Italian Giacomo Costenaro is armed with a Peugeot 207 S2000, while Scottish champion Euan Thorburn will swap gravel for asphalt for his ERC programme. All drivers will challenge for points in the ERC Asphalt Masters, which begins in Northern Ireland, and recognises the performances of surface specialists competing in the championship.

[dimviii]

nice photo from Kajto test
http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2015/photos/kajetanowicz_test_before_circuit_of_ireland_2015/sno_014%20copy.jpg
http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2015/photos/kajetanowicz_test_before_circuit_of_ireland_2015/sno_009%20copy.jpg
http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2015/photos/kajetanowicz_test_before_circuit_of_ireland_2015/sno_001%20copy.jpg
http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2015/photos/kajetanowicz_test_before_circuit_of_ireland_2015/sno_024%20copy.jpg

http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/fotogalery.php?events=23973&fotograf=200

[cardy]

euan thorburn livery

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Kajto's official test video & interview: https://youtu.be/WFSPgolpbMo

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBIkTLvW4AIY5wb.jpg:large

[cardy]

good result 9th O/A for euan thorburn on the midland stages rally in Ireland good shakedown for the circuit of Ireland first rally on the tar in the fiesta S2000

[A FONDO]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBIkTLvW4AIY5wb.jpg:large

FANTASTIC livery!

[mousti]

good result 9th O/A for euan thorburn on the midland stages rally in Ireland good shakedown for the circuit of Ireland first rally on the tar in the fiesta S2000

Bergkvist result is more promising than Thorburn's result there..

[garais22]

PHOTO: Nikolay Gryazin rolls in Ireland tests. He was here with SRT team just for tests and he was not in entry list
http://www.go4speed.lv/lv/mustsee/erc/879-foto-n-grjazins-irijas-testos-piedzivo-avariju/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Saw the weather forecast for the week ahead... Looking showery for Friday, but dry for Saturday.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Breen testing today...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBW7zXRXEAAJ2tV.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBWfsK3XEAAuxk8.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBXJpNsWoAANl-i.jpg:large

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Also testing their Fiesta R5's...

Fisher
http://www.picturesofireland.ie/COI_testing/album/slides/Alastair_Fisher%20(5).jpg

Barrable
http://www.picturesofireland.ie/COI_testing/album/slides/Robert_Barrable%20(6).jpg

Wright
http://www.picturesofireland.ie/COI_testing/album/slides/Stephen_Wright%20(6).jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Kajto with a second day of testing this time in Co. Kilkenny, Ireland, to order to fine-tune the set-up work done in Poland..

Wet weather this time:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBXaZH3UMAAGNmH.jpg:large

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Jeets testing in the wet too..

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBXq6qOWQAABnuY.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBXq63kWAAEKuUi.jpg

[EstWRC]

more pictures of Jeets test https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.820316728047571.1073741826.139338396145411&type=1

[garais22]

Alexey Lukyanuk: ''Craig Breen on the tests was involved in an accident. He Cut down a telegraph pole, rip off two wheels and crashed into the car parked alongside road''
http://www.go4speed.lv/lv/news/rallijs/4390-lukjanuks-ir-par-ko-aizdomaties-jo-brins-jau-testos-notrieca-stabu-un-sasita-svesu-masinu/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Consani testing:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBcZAUgUYAAI6xR.jpg:large


Amazing livery done..

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBfpwEvXEAACTtq.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Loeb To Drive Course Car On The Circuit of Ireland :eek:

With round three of the FIA European Rally Championship, the Circuit of Ireland Rally, just days away the organisers of the infamous event have announced that nine times World Rally Champion, Sebastien Loeb will be on course car duties for the rally.

The Frenchman will run ahead of the international field in a Citroen DS3 R5 on both of the days stages with regular co-driver Daniel Elena in the passenger seat.

“We are delighted that rallying legend Sebastien Loeb will be involved in this year’s Circuit of Ireland Rally” said spokesperson for the event, Mr. A. F. Daye “Sebastien will add to what is already an incredible line up of talented national and international drivers”

This true or April Fool ? :D

[EightGear]

That's the worst April fools in the history of April fools.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

VIDEO: Craig Breen wants name on Circuit of Ireland trophy

http://www.rte.ie/sport/motorsport/rally/2015/0401/691261-craig-breen-circuit-of-ireland/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

That's the worst April fools in the history of April fools.

Or, 'Sebastien Loeb confirms to return in WRC for 2016 season with new codriver' http://fanloeb.com/2015/04/sebastien-de-retour-en-wrc-en-2016/ … :rolleyes:

[N.O.T]

That's the worst April fools in the history of April fools.

the Loeb one or the Craig Breen accident one ?

the Loeb one was stupid... the Breen one was tasteless and retarded.

[EightGear]

the Loeb one or the Craig Breen accident one ?

the Loeb one was stupid... the Breen one was tasteless and retarded.
Loeb one, I didn't open the link to the Breen story.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

This could be the sickest of all April Fools “@MotorsTV: Finally, Motors TV is joining the HD revolution. More info on the way...”

[Jarek Z]

I have just had a look at the entry list of the national rally and found something extraordinary at position #118. Dessie McCartney is going to drive a car called Darrian T90 GTR. I have never heard about such manufacturer so I started digging and something like that popped up on my screen:
http://www.darrian.co.uk/images/JMS_1654.jpg
http://www.darrian.co.uk/images/JMS_0812.jpg
http://www.darrian.co.uk/images/JMS_0793.jpg

Official website of the manufacturer (http://www.darrian.co.uk) says that "Darrian are the only Welsh car manufacturers and have a reputation for building competition cars with giant killing performance". With this killing performance do you think they are going to destroy the competition during Circuit of Ireland? :)

[mousti]

These are nice cars, they came sometimes to the Monteberg.

[stefanvv]

I have just had a look at the entry list of the national rally and found something extraordinary at position #118. Dessie McCartney is going to drive a car called Darrian T90 GTR. I have never heard about such manufacturer so I started digging and something like that popped up on my screen:
http://www.darrian.co.uk/images/JMS_1654.jpg
http://www.darrian.co.uk/images/JMS_0812.jpg
http://www.darrian.co.uk/images/JMS_0793.jpg

Official website of the manufacturer (http://www.darrian.co.uk) says that "Darrian are the only Welsh car manufacturers and have a reputation for building competition cars with giant killing performance". With this killing performance do you think they are going to destroy the competition during Circuit of Ireland? :)

An inspiration for Exige?

[N.O.T]

This could be the sickest of all April Fools “@MotorsTV: Finally, Motors TV is joining the HD revolution. More info on the way...”


there is nothing better than watching those obscure races MTV has contracts with in HD...

[N.O.T]

I have just had a look at the entry list of the national rally and found something extraordinary at position #118. Dessie McCartney is going to drive a car called Darrian T90 GTR. I have never heard about such manufacturer so I started digging and something like that popped up on my screen:
http://www.darrian.co.uk/images/JMS_1654.jpg
http://www.darrian.co.uk/images/JMS_0812.jpg
http://www.darrian.co.uk/images/JMS_0793.jpg

Official website of the manufacturer (http://www.darrian.co.uk) says that "Darrian are the only Welsh car manufacturers and have a reputation for building competition cars with giant killing performance". With this killing performance do you think they are going to destroy the competition during Circuit of Ireland? :)

The Darrians are quite popular here in the UK in the MSA tarmac championship...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/51932399@N07/16763286695/in/set-72157650845633918
https://www.flickr.com/photos/51932399@N07/14582355439/in/set-72157646038943093
https://www.flickr.com/photos/51932399@N07/14581791380/in/set-72157646038943093
https://www.flickr.com/photos/51932399@N07/14581805820/in/set-72157646038943093
https://www.flickr.com/photos/51932399@N07/8545903265/in/set-72157632968279102

and they sound good too...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/51932399@N07/8549337322/in/set-72157632968279102

they are fast, but they are not killing anyone in the circuit of Ireland.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

This could be the sickest of all April Fools “@MotorsTV: Finally, Motors TV is joining the HD revolution. More info on the way...”

@MotorsTV "Sorry guys, we couldn't resist. It is April 1 after all.."

:rolleyes:

Shame - would be nice to see these in HD...

FIA World Rally Championship
FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship
MSA British Rally Championship
Belgian Rally Championship
British Historic Rally Championship
British Rallycross Championship
Roger Albert Clark Rally Championship
BTRDA Rally Series
Irish Forest Rally Championship
Irish National Rally Championship
Irish Tarmac Rally Championship
MSA Asphalt Rally Championship

[stefanvv]

@MotorsTV "Sorry guys, we couldn't resist. It is April 1 after all.."

:rolleyes:

Shame - would be nice to see these in HD...

FIA World Rally Championship
FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship
MSA British Rally Championship
Belgian Rally Championship
British Historic Rally Championship
British Rallycross Championship
Roger Albert Clark Rally Championship
BTRDA Rally Series
Irish Forest Rally Championship
Irish National Rally Championship
Irish Tarmac Rally Championship
MSA Asphalt Rally Championship

... and some other national rally championships across Europe

[Jarek Z]

Guys, how do you like Kajto's new helmet? It was designed especially for Ireland, features Irish flag and Polish eagle :)
https://scontent-fra.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/p720x720/10835350_379009232302333_689577384695185331_o.jpg
http://www.autoklub.pl/fotogalerie/marcin_snopkowski/testykajto15/img0025.jpg
http://www.autoklub.pl/fotogalerie/marcin_snopkowski/testykajto15/img0023.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Lukyanuk is here !

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBbGRtOWQAA9k1v.jpg

[noel157]

Guys, how do you like Kajto's new helmet? It was designed especially for Ireland, features Irish flag and Polish eagle :)
https://scontent-fra.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/p720x720/10835350_379009232302333_689577384695185331_o.jpg
http://www.autoklub.pl/fotogalerie/marcin_snopkowski/testykajto15/img0025.jpg
http://www.autoklub.pl/fotogalerie/marcin_snopkowski/testykajto15/img0023.jpg

Technically the wrong flag Jarek but best say nothing about flegs....

Typical Irish weather.... GoT studios in the background.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBhQt6yUMAEWSZG.png

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Technically the wrong flag Jarek but best say nothing about flags....



He said in the video the helmet design is also for his sister who lives in Ireland, along with many other Poles...

And regarding the flag issue here, I notice ERC Junior Chris Ingram has changed from his usual 'Union Jack' livery to the 'Peugeot 30' design just for this event ...

http://i.m.eurosport.com/2015/03/31/1447266-30942231-640-360.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ott Tanak in Ireland to help Jeets at his test...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBhwN1ZU8AA9b_9.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Breen's car at the SP with rear bumper already removed... :D

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBhpgVNWsAAHlrt.jpg:large

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Smart livery for Marty McCormack in the Skoda:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBk7BawXIAAx7Aq.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Greer's DS3 R5
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBlIrlNW8AACmJW.jpg:large

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Circuit of Ireland ‏@CircuitIreland
LIVE STREAMING on website of Ards and Lisburn stages folks each over 2 hrs of @FIAERC
Check http://circuitireland.net for details ..


Cant see anything on the website yet ?? :(

[PLuto]

Circuit of Ireland ‏@CircuitIreland
LIVE STREAMING on website of Ards and Lisburn stages folks each over 2 hrs of @FIAERC
Check http://circuitireland.net for details ..

Cant see anything on the website yet ?? :(

This are stages on Friday and Saturday.

[PLuto]

Free practice
1. 1 - Craig Breen / Scott Martin 2:02.81
2. 6 - Robert Barrable / Damien Connolly 2:03.05
3. 2 - Kajetan Kajetanowicz / Jaroslaw Baran 2:04.18
4. 8 - Charles Martin / Thierry Salva 2:04.23
5. 9 - Jaromír Tarabus / Daniel Trunkát 2:05.33
6. 5 - Alastair Fisher / Gordon Noble 2:06.45
7. 15 - Jonathan Greer / Kirsty Riddick 2:06.53
8. 12 - Josh Moffett / John Rowan 2:06.66
9. 14 - Stephen Wright / Mikie Galvin 2:06.89
10. 10 - Euan Thorburn / Paul Beaton 2:07.00
11. 18 - Raul Jeets / Andrus Toom 2:07.40
12. 7 - Sam Moffett / Karl Atkinson 2:07.71
13. 3 - Robert Consani / Maxime Vilmot 2:09.00
14. 19 - Giacomo Costenaro / Pietro Elia Ometto 2:10.09
15. 16 - Antonin Tlustak / Ladislav Kucera 2:10.61
16. 21 - David Botka / Peter Mihalik 2:10.64
17. 20 - Vojtech Stajf / Frantisek Rajnoha 2:11.06
18. 4 - Alexey Lukanyuk / Yevhen Chervonenko 2:12.04
19. 26 - Emil Bergkvist / Joakim Sjöberg 2:13.21
20. 24 - Inessa Tushkanova / Dmitry Chumak 2:13.35

[Fast Eddie WRC]

This are stages on Friday and Saturday.

I know, but I thought the website would confirm they are going to be streaming the street stages..

[makinen_fan]

I know, but I thought the website would confirm they are going to be streaming the street stages..

There is a link in their website that takes to this site

http://www.circuitofireland.tv/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBliLsuWgAEQl1q.jpg:large

[Rallyper]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBliLsuWgAEQl1q.jpg:large

I dont know if I´m wrong but wouldn´t a car sponsored by a cleaningmachine brand be shining rather than dusty...? ;)

[RICARDO75]

Top 15 on Q.S.

[JTGANG]

Believe Alastair Fisher will be in much better position tomorrow than today's shakedown times.....

[Rallyper]

Emil Bergkvist shines as well!!

[PLuto]

This is first time I have seen three different results of qualify...

Official version of qualify results is on this link: http://forum.autosport.cz/viewtopic.php?f=63&t=968&p=77101#p77101

Sorry I cannot put here different link or upload it here, but wi-fi in service is falling (due to lot of people and also another rain)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Robert Barrable fastest on Circuit of Ireland Qualifying Stage for the second year in a row !

Kajto close behind in Second, then Breen, who said, '3rd fastest in Qualifying, small issue to fix for tomorrow. Looking forward to the rally start.'

And Greer wasn't holding back on the QS:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBmED2jWIAALaJM.jpg:large

And Consani in the new car:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBl9BcbWgAAUNPn.jpg:large

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Emil Bergkvist shines as well!!

Armstrong & Ingram faster in the 208's though.. ;)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Roads already damp and looks like more rain to come overnight - choice of road position will be important as mud will be dragged onto the tarmac..

http://d3jw5gs1mh13h6.cloudfront.net/uploads/photobank/seasons/2015/events/29_United%20Kingdom/preview/big2/big2_004_Landscape.jpg

http://www.picturesofireland.ie/COI_testing/album/slides/Alastair_Fisher%20(9).jpg

[Rallyper]

Armstrong & Ingram faster in the 208's though.. ;)

OK looked at FP. Didn´t get the final results. My bad. EB doesn´t do bad though I hope...
Edit: 1 sec off the pace in R2. Let´s wait for the real driving..

[noel157]

Roads already damp and looks like more rain to come overnight - choice of road position will be important as mud will be dragged onto the tarmac..

http://d3jw5gs1mh13h6.cloudfront.net/uploads/photobank/seasons/2015/events/29_United%20Kingdom/preview/big2/big2_004_Landscape.jpg



There's been rain all week. Will be wet tomorrow, may get better in the afternoon.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

There's been rain all week. Will be wet tomorrow, may get better in the afternoon.

Yes, wet in testing and again in FP & QS... can only get better !

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Drivers picked starting positions... going in QS order as expected...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBml_f8WEAABzKm.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xft1/v/t1.0-9/p180x540/11134160_10152929965367874_4742633603826223133_n.j pg?oh=3069a3f558d679a12a1e5eaae72d6806&oe=55B851AA&__gda__=1437334249_6440bef2dbb32790b68d36c679b647a a

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Live SP camera: http://551c61ca69b33.click2stream.com/

Also compare times of the ERC drivers vs the National drivers at: http://www.rallyscore.net/263/Circuit-of-Ireland-2015-Circuit-of-Ireland-International/

[dimviii]

nice photo from Lavadinho Andre

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBm1AxyW0AE23X-.jpg

[dimviii]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O192lUbxZUI

[Nornbugger]

I was at the qualifing stage today, I was very impressed with the overall driving from the European visitors, Lukyanuk was spectacular to watch but will have to tidy his driving if he wants to be quick and get to the finish(no surprise) But Inessa was spectacular and pretty quick too, this was a nice surprise!

I drove through the area of tomorrows stages this evening, there was heavy rain and a lot of standing water, although local forecasts for tomorrow are good I expect the 1st stage will start on wet roads and would expect for the 1st loop that the stages will damp at best, those running later on the road will suffer.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Practice & QS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Clf5WuqXtRs

Kajto QS & interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Bl-2dI7U0w

Lukyanuk OB QS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSV9yCTVZRI

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBnJLi_WMAARt77.jpg:large

[Fast Eddie WRC]

First car into Stage One... this is the conditions...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBp2FQuWgAAPU6C.jpg

[Jarek Z]

It is windy and wet on the first stage. Barrable fastest so far, ahead of Breen and Kajto.

[wwbroe]

It is windy and wet on the first stage. Barrable fastest so far, ahead of Breen and Kajto.

Yes, very good time for Barrable, Breen complaining about his car, Martin very poor time loosing half a minute allready on 14 Kms.

[Jarek Z]

Weather in Ireland according to PLuto :)
https://scontent-fra.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/1798490_10206058362316156_8063211065036348499_n.jp g?oh=98372e458ded29383e1b0d460bcf2366&oe=55B6A9B7

[mousti]

Tricky start with mud on the road. Barabble will profit from his starting position. Breen stille with engine issues.. Good start from Consani in the new car.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great site for split times: http://www.rallyscore.net/263/Circuit-of-Ireland-2015-Circuit-of-Ireland-International/#

(Just click on the stage number and option there for split times..)

[Jarek Z]

Poor time from Lukyanuk on the first stage. He loses as much as 29 seconds, because he doesn't want to push too much. It seems he doesn't want to repeat the mistake from Liepaja:
"We are starting carefully because I cannot feel the grip on this road. We are slowly building our confidence. We are learning, I don't want to push myself too much."

[WUff1]

Local drivers showing great speed - Kajto and Consani the only non British/Irish drivers in the Top Ten, surprising.

[mousti]

What a time for Bergkvist!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Drivers finding why the CoI is so special:

Kajto - SS2 'Best tarmac stage in my life !'

Breen - 'This is the best road in the world, you cannot find anything like it.'

[AndyRAC]

Seems Craig agrees with him.......

[Jarek Z]

There is a lot of standing water, mud and other surprises on Stage 2, which is making it very difficult for the drivers. Breen fastest in those conditions so far. He is the new leader of the rally.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Lukyanuk with broken driveshaft.. :(

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great to see so many British and Irish flags on an International rally !

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBqcG2rWIAAvgWU.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Big time taken by Breen over Kajto, split 1 SS3 !!

17sec by Split 2 !

22sec by the end ...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

REALLY wet ...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBqe-cVUsAA9Qy_.jpg:large

[Jarek Z]

Big time taken by Breen over Kajto, split 1 SS3 !!

17sec by Split 2 !

22sec by the end ...

That's because Kajto went off on the second corner of the stage. He says that the stage is very slippery (but beautiful).

[Rallyper]

So where is Bergkvist on SS2? He gave interview at the finish but isn´t in result?

Edit: LAte result came in. 18th on stage and second oa in ERC3.

[polo10]

So where is Bergkvist on SS2? He gave interview at the finish but isn´t in result?

And Gago, where is?