Mark Lovell onboard Sierra Cosworth during the Rothmans Circuit of Ireland Rally 1988

Mark Lovell and Ronan Morgan started the 1988 Circuit of Ireland as one of the favourites and they were dominating the first day until Lovell crashed the Sierra Cosworth on SS8 into a tree and out of the event. Lovell was criticised for going flat out from the start on an event that still had to be treated with respect, even if it wasn't a true Circuit with the restrictions that had been imposed on it in the last year.

The stages for that years Circuit came in for much criticism from the competitors as the UAC had selected some of the most bumpy and nadgery stages in Ireland. The first day's stages in Northern Ireland were particularly bumpy requiring some brave commitment as we can see being demonstrated by Lovell in the video. The UAC, though, were hamstrung by the regulations laid out by FISA and needed to keep the average speeds down otherwise the stages would be "cleaned". Rothmans ended their partnership with the Circuit shortly after the 1988 event after sponsoring the event since 1983.

Some very committed driving from the late Mark Lovell on the Circuit 1988

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