THE 2016 Donegal International Rally will be a part of the Irish Tarmac Championship.
Last month, the Donegal Motor Club confirmed that it was withdrawing from the 2016 Irish Tarmac Championship due to their disagreement with the proposed new format.
Under the new proposals, World Rally Cars – class 7 entries – would not score point for the overall championship.
Picture caption: Garry Jennings and Rory Kennedy celebrate winning the 2015 Donegal International Rally.
The Donegal Motor Club suggested that both R5 cars and WRC cars should be permitted to compete for the Championship title.
They further suggested that the proposed finish ramp protocol be scrapped – contesting that the Rally winner, regardless of the car, should be recognised as the event winner.
A statement from the Donegal Motor Club, signed by its Chairman Brian Brogan and Secretary John Crumlish, this afternoon has outlined how the impasse has been solved.
“At a meeting on July 26th TROA (Irish Rally Championship organisers) asked DMC (Donegal Motor Club) to reconsider its decision to withdraw, and clarified that WRC cars will not be banned from the series but will continue to enter the events and receive the same media recognition, including TV, as before. This will include full recognition at the finish ramp,” the statement read.
“DMC also attended at meetings in Dublin with competitors on 22nd May and the 29th July.
“It emerged that there are strong differences of opinion between those who have always supported the Championship and those who wish to see it support R5-only, but an even stronger view among them all that there should be unity within the sport.
“This was not fostered by the way in which the format of the 2016 championship was proposed to DMC.
“DMC is a founder member of TROA, and considers the fair treatment of competitors and the health of the TROA Championship to be vital for Irish Motorsport.
“DMC has consulted widely with competitors and interested parties, and by reason of the assurances and request received from TROA, has reconsidered its position and will, in the interests of the unity of the sport, continue in the Irish Tarmac Championship in 2016.
“We consider the format of the TROA to be a matter for ongoing discussion, which we will address at future TROA meetings.”
It has been confirmed that the 2016 Donegal International Rally will get underway on Friday, June 17th 2016.
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