Exciting entry for Circuit of Ireland Rally

Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally organisers have confirmed an exciting entry for round three of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge with some of the series’ best drivers set to take part.

A host of stars from throughout Europe, Ireland and United Kingdom will chase IRC honours on the all-asphalt event, which gets underway with a spectacular super special stage in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, where the famous ship was designed and constructed more than 100 years ago.

ŠKODA Motorsport has entered the 2010 IRC champion Juho Hänninen, from Finland, and Czech Republic’s Jan Kopecký, runner-up in the IRC for the past three seasons, in a brace of Fabia S2000s, while Norwegian Andreas Mikkelsen, the defending IRC champion and current title leader, will drive a ŠKODA UK Fabia.

Germany’s Sepp Wiegand, for whom the Circuit of Ireland will mark only his third start in the IRC, will compete in a ŠKODA Auto Deutschland-run Fabia, with rapid local hero Alastair Fisher will piloting an M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000.

Two of the latest-specification Peugeot 207 S2000s will be in action in the hands of rising stars Mathieu Arzeno, from France, and Ireland’s Craig Breen, while Irishman Robert Barrable, who impressed on selected IRC appearances in 2011, lines up in another Fabia.

The IRC Production Cup battle will be between a number of Irish and Northern Irish drivers including Daniel Barry, Garry Jennings and Donagh Kelly. Renault drivers Mark Donnelly and Tommy Doyle and Hungarian Honda ace Menya Krózser (pictured) will all be in contention for IRC 2WD Cup laurels along with Jonny Greer and Martin McCormack.

Circuit of Ireland director Bobby Willis said: “The entry list is really strong for this year’s Circuit. The interest and support from the many international drivers wanting to get involved has been fantastic. But as always, it’s also great to see the entries flood in from our local rally talent.”