British based World Rally Championship team M-Sport have announced an exciting prize for the winners of the 2016 Clonakilty Black Pudding Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. Should next season’s champions win the series in a Ford Fiesta R5 the Northern English firm will support the popular championship by offering the crew the chance to drive an M-Sport prepared Ford Fiesta R5 on a round of the 2017 British Rally Championship.
“I’m pleased to announce that we will be supporting the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship next year” said M-Sport boss Malcolm Wilson,”The organisers have worked extremely hard on their plans for 2016 and Ireland is renowned for having one of the biggest rally communities in the world.
“The prize drive we are offering will hopefully provide an incentive for the Ford Fiesta drivers to push the limits and achieve their goals. We’re always looking for fresh new talent, and I believe Ireland has the potential to offer a lot in that aspect.”
The ITRC has a rich history and has seen some big names compete in it including Jimmy McRae, Andreas Mikkelsen and Billy Coleman. New regulations announced this year excludes World Rally Cars from challenging for the overall championship honours leaving R5, S2000 and RRC cars in prime position to win the series. The 2015 championship was won by Donagh Kelly and Kevin Flanagan in a Ford Focus WRC.
The 2016 series kicks off with the Galway International Rally which takes place from February 6 to February 7
