Limerick Motor Club have announced the return of the Thomond Rally to the county's roads for the first time in 37 years.
The rally will be based out of Rathkeale on the weekend of August 23rd/24th.
(Picture is of Alan Johnston and Paul Kiely guiding their Talbot Sunbeam to victory on the Limerick tar on the last running of the event in 1987)
Full press release:
All roads lead to Rathkeale on August 23rd and 24th as the GRP4 Fabrications Thomond Mini Stages Rally makes a return to the rallying calendar for the first time since 1987.
Limerick Motor Club has a unique event planned with a very low road mileage, offering rally crews the best possible mini-stage experience. Service, Scrutiny and sign on will all take place in the same location in Rathkeale, and the start line of stage 1 is just 2km from the town centre. 2 stages run 3 times will offer crews a tricky yet enjoyable test.
Club Chairman Aidan Walsh will step into the Clerk of the Course role for the event, his first time doing so.
It’s the first time the Thomond Rally has been run since 1987, 37 years since Alan Johnston and Paul Kiely guided their Talbot Sunbeam to victory on the Limerick tar.
The event title sponsors are Galway-based GRP4 Fabrications, a well-known motorsport brand to Irish rally competitors. They are Europe’s leading provider of components for Ford Escort Mark I and II motorsport components. Associate sponsors include local supporters Rathkeale House Hotel, Paul Purtill Agri, Morenane Transport & Daly Tyres, who have been dedicated sponsors of all Limerick Motor Club-run events.
Regs will be available shortly, and entries will be open very soon. For up-to-date information on the rally, be sure to check our Facebook page ‘GRP4 Fabrications Thomond Mini Stages Rally’
Clerk of the Course Aidan Walsh said “I am delighted that the Thomond rally is back on the motorsport calendar for 2025. I’m sure some of the older statesmen have fond memories of the event from the 1980s and it’s great we can all do that again. I look forward to welcoming you all to Limerick and to Rathkeale for what is sure to be an unmissable end of summer event”
