Cartell.ie International Rally of the Lakes Launched.

Killarney and District Motor Club held the official launch to the 36th Cartell.ie International Rally of the Lakes on Sunday evening at Scotts Hotel Killarney. There were some beautiful rally cars on display and a large crowd in attendance. Officials, Organisers, Sponsors and Dignitaries of Killarney town were on hand to support the event. MC on the night was non-other than Mike Marshall event COC of 25years, he introduced Kate O’Leary of Killarney’s Chamber of Tourism and Commerce who spoke of how important the rally of the Lakes was to Killarney Town and how that Killarney is synonymous with Rallying as it is to its lakes and mountains. John Joe Culloty Mayor of Killarney also spoke on the commitment and dedication of the voluntary club members involved and their ability to host an event of this magnitude every year. Other guest speakers included Jeff Ahern of Cartell.ie, Brian McArdle of Ordnance Survey Ireland and Patrick O’Donooghue of the Gleneagle Hotel Group who have been involved since the rally’s first inception in 1979.

Clerk of the Course this year Dermot Healy explained details of the rally been a counting rounds of the The Clonakilty Black Pudding Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, The PlasticBags.ie Southern 4 Rally Championship and the FIA European Historic Rally championship. They will feature some of Ireland’s most iconic Classic stages over the May bank holiday weekend.
Dermot added: “We are delighted to announce that for their sixth successive year Ireland’s leading vehicle history record company Cartell.ie is the main sponsor of the Rally of the Lakes 2015. KC Print Killarney, Ordnance Survey Ireland and the Gleneagle Hotel, who have been the main supporters of the Rally of the Lakes for many years, continue as Associate Sponsors.
He also thanked his team behind him and expressed how important each and every one of the committee were in organising and making the event such a success.
Dermot explained plans are at an advanced stage to create a motorsport festival on the streets of Killarney town, the three-day event will begin with a ceremonial start in the town centre on Friday evening at 7pm May 1st.
He said: “Saturday morning kicks off with the iconic Molls Gap, followed by the Tim Healy Pass and centralised service on Castletownbere Pier. Then it’s time to head out on the famous stages of Cods Head and Ardgroom with a repeat run over the Healy Pass and into service for a well deserved break. Cods Head and Ardgroom are repeated and a blast through the Kilmakilloge harbour stage to finish off the day.
“Sunday morning starts with Molls Gap once again, followed by the mountainous Beallaghbeama Pass and the fast flowing Shanera stage, Then into service at Liebherr Container cranes Killarney. This Loop is of Molls Gap and Beallaghbeama Pass is repeated and into service again, before heading out to the spectator friendly loop of Rockfield, Shanera and Rockfield stages.”
The crews will arrive back to the finishing ramp at the Rally Head Quarters – The Gleneagle Hotel at 17.45 for Celebrations and Champagne.
With over 100 entries received so far for Ireland’s premier Rally Event. Top Internationals include Daragh O’Riordan, Declan Boyle, Gary Jennings, Robert Barrable, Donagh Kelly, Alan Ring, Stephen Wright.
Top Modifieds: Roy White, Fergus O’Meara, Declan Gallagher, Denis Cronin.

Entries still remain open at: http://www.shannonsportsit.ie/evo/Login
Regulations and further information are available atwww.rallyofthelakes.com or from event secretary: Linda Gordon on linda.killarneyrally@gmail.com