Circuit of Ireland Rally 2015

[PLuto]

Robert Consani with Citroen DS3 R5



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!

[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.