September date confirmed for the FAAC Simply automatic / Sligo Park Hotel Sligo Stages Rally

Update 20th July

You will be aware that we postponed our event originally scheduled for Sunday, 8th July

The Motorsport Commission has now approved an alternative date for the event ie. Sunday, 2nd September

The event will be a qualifying round for 3 Championships :-

Triton Showers National Rally Championship
Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship
Top Part West Coast Rally Championship

Entry Form & Regulations are now available for the September event

The Club wish to thank everyone involved in making this alternative date possible - your on-going support is much appreciated

Ciaran Phelan Faac Simply Automatic with Anthony McCoubrey Deputy COC

at the 2018 Rally Launch

See Gallery Section for more photos courtesy of James Burke Photography

Support from Loyal Local Businesses

With entries already open for the 2018 Faac Simply Automatic – Sligo Park Hotel Stages Rally its all systems go for the July 8th event.

Robert Lyttle COC has selected an appealing loop of 3 by 3 stages circling a convenient, very accessible central service park. Much of the footwork has already been carried out by the stage teams on the ground and they are very encouraged by the level of support they have received from the residents and communities on the route. Three stage, scrutiny, service area sponsors and an award for fastest local crew have been secured from businesses previously supportive of the rally. This will compliment the already secured title sponsors of Faac Simply automatic and Sligo Park Hotel.

Herron Auto, Kerrigan Quarries, Glenview Decorative Stone, Gulf /Hot Rods, Sligo Haulage and Distribution and Mc Gowan Landscapes have all generously come on board for a further year.

The opening stage of the day is sponsored by Kerrigan Quarries, a Killargue Co. Leitrim based facility, established in 1989 providing a wide range of construction products to the building industry and the privateer.

Stage 2 is sponsored by Glenview Natural Stone, an Arigna based business supplying a broad range of decorative golden sandstone and specialist sands to the landscape arena in Ireland and mainland Europe.

The 3rd stage of the loop is sponsored by Herron Auto, a 2nd generation family run Opel and Kia dealership serving customers in Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim.

The service area complex is again sponsored by Gulf /Hot Rods at the Sligo Gate at the Collooney Roundabout, the intersection of the N4 and the N17. One of our longest supporters, with a state of the art service station, restaurant and shop, providing to all the needs of the commuter. All the broad range of services will be available to those in the service area and the spectators calling for a visit.

A unique feature of this year’s event is Scrutiny which will be hosted at the Sligo Retail Park at Carraroe, where competitor cars once undertaking mechanical scrutiny will go direct into parc ferme. The retail park, with picturesque views of Knocknarea will allow spectators to conveniently view all aspects of the safety inspections being carried out on the cars. Bringing this activity into this retail hub is enabled by the sponsorship of market leading Sligo Haulage and Distribution operating out of its distribution facility in Tubbercurry. The company, recipients of numerous haulage industry awards is indicative of the professionalism and success of this haulage and courier fleet.

The local competitor support is also recognised and thanks to Mc Gowan Landscapes, sponsoring an award for the highest placed local crew home. The North Sligo based landscape business with 24 years experience carry out projects extending across the North West of Ireland under the experienced guidance of director Roger Mc Gowan.

As we approach the first incentive draw on June 20th sponsored by the Carty Group, the organising committee are appealing to competitors who are planning entering Sligo to submit their entries early enabling the club to put plans in place for the expected numbers. It should be noted that cheques received will be not be lodged before June 29th. Those eligible for the 1st draw will also be in with a chance in the 2 remaining draws on June 27th & July 8th.

Entry incentives could contribute to cheaper entry

With entries for Faac Simply automatic / Sligo Park Hotel Stages Rally now open, the Club are delighted to announce no less than 3 draws in which competitors could, upon being drawn out of the hat, receive a rebate on a significant portion of their entry fee.

National Automation, a subsidiary company within the Faac Group & in addition to Title sponsor, are planning to give something back to the competitor. National Automation with bases in Boyle Co Roscommon and Citywest Business Park Dublin, are sole Irish distributors for the Faac and Genius range of automation for gates, barriers, entrances and automatic doors. They are also mainline distributors for other quality associated products and provide the training, technical support and service, both on and off site.

The National Automation draw will take place immediately before drivers briefing on the morning of the rally & comprises of a Win Back for the Main/Historic field and also, 1 for the Junior field to the tune of the entry fee less the insurance levy. Ciaran Phelan, General Manager of National Automation, a regular competitor himself has great empathy with those competing and the costs involved and therefore, he is very conscious that a Win Back on the morning of the rally should put a crew in a good frame of mind starting the event.

Following on from last years scheme, the Club has 2 early entry incentive draws again this year. The draws will take place on June 20th and June 27th & will include all those having a fully completed entry submitted to the Event Secretary at that time and a lucky winner will be picked out to receive a rebate of €500 on their entry fee. It is hoped that this will encourage those who are already planning to compete to submit their entry early assisting the planning process in advance of July 8th.

The first draw on June 20th has kindly been sponsored by the Carty Group, a long established company, with its headquarters in Collooney, Co Sligo with expertise in major Civil, Water, Wind and Marine projects. Iarla Carty of Carty Group, himself an avid competitor in the historic category for numerous years is very aware from both perspectives of the importance of entering at an early date.

Competitors are encouraged to focus on the earlier date, as that will make them eligible for all 3 draws.

Sligo Stages Rally offers 3 Championship options again for 2018

With planning progressing well for the July 8th Sligo Stages, Connacht Motor Club are delighted to bring together a winning formula similar to last year, to host the 2018 event .

Taking on the mantle as Clerk of the Course, Robert Lyttle who now holds the record of most number of events at the helm, will undoubtedly bring some innovative edges to the already well primed event management. His knowledge in both the planning and deliverance of stages events, supported by a dedicated experienced team, will present competitors with a well run, well orchestrated event on the day.

One of the key ingredients in event preparation is the financial support from sponsors, and once again Connacht Motor Club are delighted to confirm, both Faac Simply Automatic and Sligo Park Hotel as joint title sponsors.

Faac Simply Automatic, a leading global brand in the manufacturing of automation for Gates & Barriers, Entrances & Automatic Doors & Access Control Systems are now synonymous within rallying circles, with Ciaran, Aine, Cormac and Katja regular participants at rallies around the country. Following a successful association last year with Faac and the local distribution wing National Automation, Connacht Motor Club are excited to expand this relationship in 2018.

Of course Sligo Park Hotel has been connected with Sligo Stages Rally now for nearing three decades, renowned for its hospitality and generally accepted as the home of rallying in Sligo. Its recent extensive programme of refurbishment and branding has further enhanced the comforts and profile of this contemporary style four star hotel.

Sligo Stages Rally is once again a round of three of the most prestigious championships in the country, the Triton National Championship, the Sligo Pallets Border Championship and the Top Part West Coast Championship .