The Carrick-on-Suir William Loughman Forestry Rally, William Loughman Memorial Forestry Rally is an annual motorsport forest rallying event held in County Tipperary, Ireland. Promoted and organised by Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club, Wm. Loughman Forestry Rally is long-standing opening round of the Irish Forest Rally Championship.
It was also a stage in South East Stages Rally Championship in 2002 and 2006. It is back on the calendar since 2019.
History Starting in 1985 as Carrick-on-Suir Forest Rally, the Willie Loughman Memorial Forestry Rally is Ireland's longest running forestry rally. The event ran every year with exception of 2001 due to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.
In the early years the rally would start at midnight at the forestry gate, follow the route arrows, and finish the stage at the forestry exit gate. The arrow signs were made from tin by Willie Loughman, to whose name the forestry rally is now dedicated.
2020
The 2020 event was the opening round for the Irish Forest Rally Championship and the South East States Rally Championship. Directed by the Clerk of the Course Liam Mackey, the event consisted of 59.44 stage kilometers and 144.12 road kilometers divided into 6 stages. This year's entry fee was €700. The rally went ahead despite heavy winds and rain caused by Storm Dennis. Out of 70 starters, 48 have reached the finish line. James Wilson, 2018 Billy Coleman Award winner, led the rally from start to finish.
Roll of Honor
+ Rally winners Season Driver Co-driver Car 2020 James Wilson Arthur Kierans Hyundai i20 R5 2019 Marty McCormack Barney Mitchell Škoda Fabia R5 2018 Andrew Purcell Mark Wiley Ford Fiesta R5 2017 Josh Moffett Stephen Thornton Ford Fiesta R5 2016 Sam Moffett James Fulton Ford Fiesta R5 2015 Michael O'Brien James O'Brien Ford Focus RS WRC '08 2014 Josh Moffett Jason McKenna Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX 2013 Owen Murphy James O'Brien Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX 2012 Craig Breen Gareth Roberts Ford Fiesta S2000 2011 Owen Murphy James O'Brien Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX 2010 Pat O'Connell Mark Wiley Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX 2009 Trevor J. Harding Andrew Purcell Subaru Impreza 555 2008 Ray Breen Craig Breen Ford Focus RS WRC '04 2007 Stephen Moore Tony McHugh Ford Focus RS WRC '04 2006 Kenny McKinstry Kenny Hull Subaru Impreza S7 WRC '01 2005 Gareth MacHale Paul Nagle Toyota Corolla WRC 2004 Kevin Lynch Francis Regan Subaru Impreza S6 WRC '00 2003 John McCarthy Dan Maguire Subaru Impreza 555 2002 Robbie McGurk Rory Kennedy Subaru Impreza Sti 2001 no rally - outbreak of foot and mouth disease 2000 Peter McCullagh sr. Mark Murphy Ford Escort RS Cosworth 1999 Kenny McKinstry Paddy Toner Subaru Impreza 555 1998 no data 1997 no data 1996 no data 1995 no data 1994 Richie Curran Gerry English Ford Sierra Cosworth 1993 Richie Curran Gerry English Vauxhall Chevette HSR 1992 no data 1991 no data 1990 no data 1989 no data 1988 Frank Meagher O'Sullivan Ford Escort RS 1800 MKII 1987 no data 1986 Kevin O'Kane Noel Alexander Talbot Sunbeam Lotus 1985 James Doherty Michael Curley Vauxhall Chevette 2300 HSR
+ Driver most wins Kenny McKinstry 2 Moffett Josh 2 Richie Curran 2+ Driver most starts Sean Benskin 15 John Reid 14 Gerard Lucey 13 Alan Commins 12 Ray Benskin sr. 11 Gemma Kerley 11 Kevin O'Kane 11 James Coleman 10 Michael Nevin 10 Mark Murply 10 Andrew Purcell 10+ Most stage wins Andrew Purcell 8 Kevin Lynch 7 John McCarthy 7 Josh Moffett 7 Sam Moffett 7 Owen Murphy 7 * as of 2020
External links Web page by the organizing Motor Club
References