Cork ‘20’ International Rally Returns to Traditional Date with Fresh Excitement
The O’Connell Group Cork ‘20’
The O’Connell Group Cork ‘20’ International Rally is set to return to its traditional September date on September 29th, marking a refreshing change after two years of running on the August bank-holiday weekend. This year’s event is poised to be a highlight of the Irish rally calendar, serving as the last major rally in Cork County for 2024
The Cork ‘20’ will benefit from the restructuring of the Irish Rally calendar, which is now in its second term. With the Fastnet Rally absent from this year’s itinerary, the Cork ‘20’ provides a unique opportunity for local competitors to race on familiar terrain without the need to travel outside the county.
The shift back to September comes after the August dates of the past two years, which were met with mixed reviews. The August bank-holiday weekend initially seemed advantageous, aligning with other Tarmac rounds that also utilized bank-holiday weekends. However, feedback suggested the move did not generate the positive results hoped for, leading to financial difficulties for the Munster Car Club. The return to September is seen as a strategic move to recapture the event’s former glory and improve overall participation and spectator engagement.
The Cork ‘20’ is one of the oldest rallies in Europe and will be based at the Corrin Events Centre outside Rathcormac, known for its excellent service park facilities. This year’s event will feature eight stages totaling 110km of competitive mileage, with a total road mileage of 120km. The stages promise a mix of fast, flowing roads and technical challenges, designed to test both drivers and their machines to the limit.
As the final round of the Samdec Securities Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, the Stellantis Cup Rally Championship, and the Acesigns Southern4 Rally Championship, the Cork ‘20’ is expected to attract top-tier competitors. Keith Cronin, a former winner in 2016 and current contender for the Irish Tarmac Championship title, is among those confirmed to compete.
Several West Cork drivers are also gearing up for the event. Dunmanway’s David Guest, who has been a strong local contender with his Ford Fiesta Rally2, is looking to build on his previous performances. Guest finished eighth last year and fourth in 2022 but acknowledges the high level of competition this year. “You only have to look at the top three in the championship—Keith Cronin, Matt Edwards, and Callum Devine—to see the level of competition. Then there are the Moffett brothers, Josh and Sam, Desi Henry, and Eddie Doherty. I won’t have any seat time before the Cork ‘20,’ so that will be a disadvantage,” Guest commented. He also noted that this might be his last event of the year due to the absence of the Fastnet Rally.
Other notable entries include Clonakilty’s Cal McCarthy in a Citroën C3 Rally2, Kilcrohane’s Jer O’Donovan in a Ford Fiesta R5, and potentially Dunmanway’s Conor McCarthy, who debuted a Ford Fiesta Rally2 earlier this year. Lyre’s Tim O’Donovan is also among the entries in Class 11R, showcasing a diverse and competitive lineup for this prestigious rally.
With the return to its traditional date and a well-crafted format, the Cork ‘20’ International Rally is set to deliver an exciting finale to the Irish rally season, promising both intense competition and a celebration of local motorsport talent.
