Carlow Car Club and National Rally Championships

Dunlop Rally Championship

Charlie Donnelly and navigator Paddy Toner powering to victory in their Toyota Corolla WRC.
[ photo: County Museum. ]

Since 1963 motor sport has been developed and organised by the Carlow Car Club. The Club has developed from its first test trial in 1964 to organising the annual Carlow Stages Rally sponsored by the Seven Oaks Hotel, which is held in early May and forms part of the Dunlop National Rally Championship. Competitors come from all over Ireland and from the United Kingdom. This years event took place over the weekend 6th to 7th May with the stages taking place in the Castlecomer area.

Action from the 2006 Seven Oaks Hotel Carlow Stages Rally.
[ photo: County Museum. ]

This years overall winner was Derry man Charlie Donnelly with navigator Paddy Toner in a Toyota Corolla WRC from while the highly competitive Escort MkII Challenge, which featured Alister McRae, was won by Welsh visitors Gwyndaf Evans with navigator David Jones.

Carlow Museum Events Archive

Heritage Week 2006 The aim is to promote awareness of our built, natural and cultural heritage thereby encouraging its conservation and preservation.

Gordon Bennett Race 1903 Carlow played an important early role in the development of motor sport when in June 1903 the Gordon Bennett Race was staged in counties Carlow, Kildare and Laois.

Dunlop Rally Championship 2006 Since 1963 motor sport has been developed and organised by Carlow Car Club. The Club has developed from its first test trial in 1964 to organising the annual Carlow Stages Rally which forms part of the Dunlop National Rally Championship.

International Bicycle Racing 2005 Since the first Ras Tailteann in 1953, this cycle race has become a traditional and popular yearly fixture on the Irish sporting calendar.

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Dunlop Rally Championship

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Carlow Museum Events Archive

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