New Faces – New Places – New Beginnings: The Circuit of Ireland Rally is reborn!

Northern Ireland Motorsport is a very close knit community and the Ulster Automobile Club are delighted to announce that they have reached out to Cookstown Motor Club to co-promote and organise the 2023 Circuit of Ireland Easter Stages Rally, yet another first in the history of this iconic event.

This event continually reinvents itself providing competitors, fans and global audiences with the opportunity to enjoy unique personal experiences of closed road rallies, within the spectacular landscape that Northern Ireland has to offer.

Left to right Nigel Hughes COI 2022 Clerk of the Course, Wayne Turkington 2023 Clerk of the Course, Graeme Stewart COI 2022 Event Director, Bob McKeown Chairman Cookstown Motor Club and 2023 Event Director,

Graeme Stewart, Event Director of the 2022 Rally commented, “It’s clear that collaboration is the only way forward for closed road rallying and I am delighted that Cookstown Motor Club have decided to join us in this exciting new venture“.

Clerk of the Course Wayne Turkington, reflecting on his involvement and dedication to rallying stating “This is a dream come true, I welcome the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of those who have shaped the Circuit of Ireland Rally. My team and I will ensure the event maintains its rightful place at the pinnacle of Irish Tarmac Rallying“.

Coleman Hegarty, Chairman of the Tarmac Rally Organisers Association (TROA) who organise the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship (ITRC) stated, ” TROA are pleased that the Circuit of Ireland will be staged at Easter in 2023 and this announcement will help to ensure the future of this iconic event “

Easter Weekend has been synonymous with closed road rallying since the early 1960’s and the 2023 ‘Circuit’ (the 92nd staging of the rally) will once again be a round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.

Wastewater Solutions Circuit of Ireland Rally 2022 1st Overall Alistair Fisher (right) and Gordon Noble (left) with the Mayor of Mid & East Antrim William McCaughey (left) and Philip Johnston the event Sponsor (right)

Lots of people will have the memories of watching Paddy Hopkirk MBE (who passed away in July this year) and Terry Harryman who won the event in the 60’s and many more will also have enjoyed other local heroes, Adrian Boyd, Ronnie Mc Cartney, Bertie Fisher as well as former winners, Jimmy and Colin Mc Rae entertaining us with their superb driving skills.

Cookstown Motor Club has a long and distinguished history, beginning in the 1940’s as a part of the Cookstown and District Motor Cycle and Car Club. They have continued to develop and are poised to provide another superlative experience for their loyal supporters at Easter next year.

More details about this innovative and exciting partnership will follow in the near future.