The excitement is building towards the first round of this season’s Citroen Racing Trophy, which kicks off in West Cork on St. Patrick’s weekend. At present it looks like ten crews are set to take the start line with their Pirelli shod Citroen C2’s, but series co-ordinator Raymond Moore is very much trying to encourage event more crews to compete. “I have a complete list here of left and right hand drive cars for sale and for hire and can advise anyone on the cars. Also I know that trade ins can be taken on some vehicles, and we have a company that can underwrite rally cars, which may make life easier for competitors looking to trade in and trade up to a C2. I would love to really see as many cars out as possible. For sure it looks like we will have ten for West Cork which is excellent, but the more the merrier, and definitely I would like to see more newcomers into the Trophy.”
The full regulations for the CRT Ireland series have been ratified by Motorsport Ireland and are now published on the website www.citroenracingtrophy.com.
An interesting addition for this season is a new points system that includes points for fastest stage times, similar to the WRC Academy system. “We have introduced this to encourage more competition and keep the championship race alive. I also feel that for the driver who perhaps sets the pace, but retires near the finish of an International for example, with the stage time points, at least he or she may be able to take some worthwhile points home, and keep them in the championship hunt. It will be interesting to see how the drivers respond to the added incentive!”
Interesting contenders this season include Peter Barrable. The Dubliner showed some great promise last season, with increased speed as the year progressed, and could be a real threat for the title this season. Cork’s Kieran Daly is completing a bare shell rebuild on his C2 Max, including trimming off any excess weight, and the Donal Healy prepared car is going to be totally fresh for West Cork. David Carney completed a successful trip to the Galway International Rally with 15th overall and second in the 1600 class. Muff’s Joe McGonigle was just three places and 37 seconds behind in his C2 Max, both cars running faultlessly. Limerick’s Kevin O’Connor will bring his new C2 Max to West Cork, and he demonstrated what he could do with an R2 version last year. His brother John will take over that R2 car and is very much out to enjoy the series.
Armagh’s Sean Agnew is in the process of having his R2 upgraded to a Max by John McKillop. The former professional Gaelic footballer won his class in both the National and Border Championships in 2011. Last year’s champion Scott McElhinney has both of his cars up for sale, but may well turn up in West Cork. From across the water Welsh man Steve Wood is returning to the series, Joe Shrimpton is finalising his programme after purchasing Mark Sheehan’s car and rapid former Trophy contender Andrew Hockridge is making a return to the series.
We like to keep you up to date this year with the Citroen Racing Trophy so updates of news, events, results and general gossip, will now be updated regularly through both Face book and Twitter.
To like the Face book page click: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Citroen-Racing-Trophy/305040199542207
And follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/CRTIRL
The Citroen Racing Trophy Ireland is continuing to provide a generous prize fund and support for drivers in 2012, with a 40,000€ prize fund available for the Trophy and an exciting new prize for the top junior driver worth well in excess of 10,000€ at the end of the season. West Cork will be a corker I’m sure, for the most generous one-make rally series ever to hit the Irish shores.
Citroen Racing Trophy 2012 Calendar
1 West Cork Rally 17th/18th March
2 IRC Circuit of Ireland Rally 6th/7th April
3 Killarney International Rally 5th/6th May
4 Donegal International Rally 15th-17th June
5 Ulster International Rally 17th-18th August
6 Cork 20 International Rally 6th-7th October
For more information on the Citroen Racing Trophy Ireland check out www.citroenracingtrophy.com
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