Motorsport: Tommy O'Connell's Donegal rally appeal dismissed
The Rally Walsh Against Donegal International Exclusion His Escort) From Tommy O'connell Appeal Picture: Derry's 2024 Lost (ford Martin
As the season winds to a close, Motorsport Ireland is sifting through some outstanding matters. In the past week, a Motorsport Ireland National Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal brought by Thomas (Tommy) O’Connell against his exclusion from results of the Donegal International Rally last June. His exclusion followed a scrutineering report that stated the rear dampers of his Ford Escort were not of a type available and used in period as declared in the presented Historic Rally Vehicle Identity Form (HRVIF).
Following a series of hearings (and contact with Motorsport UK) the court members reconvened last week and unanimously dismissed O’Connell’s appeal. Mr. O’Connell, who forfeited his appeal fee of €4,000 was also ordered to pay costs.
In a very detailed and considered report, the reasoning given for the decision (as per the Motorsport Ireland website) said, “The categoric evidence from Motorsport UK is that the car, the subject of this Appeal, did not have an in date HRVIF. The HRVIF associated with the car that the Appellant entered for the Donegal International Rally expired on 28th July 2022. The HRVIF that the Appellant produced at the hearing had been altered and such alterations had not been made by Motorsport UK. The National Court of Motorsport UK disqualified the Appellant from three events that occurred in 2023 and 2024 as there was not a valid HRVIF for the vehicle, which only came to light by virtue of this Appeal. The Court is therefore satisfied that the Appellant has failed to meet with the documentary requirements to ground his Appeal. In accordance with Article 12.3 of Chapter 16, the Decision of this Court of Appeal is the final Appeal available to the Appellant under the Motorsport Ireland General Competition Rules.”
The event results portal has yet to reflect the outcome of the hearing.
Organisers of the recent Killarney Towers Hotel Killarney Historic Rally are still waiting to speak with double World rally champion Kalle Rovanpera for an alleged infringement at the finish of the event. Driving a rear wheel drive Toyota Starlet belonging to Armagh’s Jason Black, Rovanpera eventually finished 15th (modified category) after he lost almost five minutes to leader and category winner Killarney’s Rob Duggan (Ford Escort) when his Toyota came to a stop near the summit of Moll’s Gap.
Fortunately for Rovanpera (and the throngs of spectators that attended the event) the rally trio Macroom’s William Lynch and Sean Kenny along with Rosscarbery’s Jonathan O’Mahony came to Rovanpera's rescue and he managed to finish the stage, albeit down in 101st place.
Duggan took a start-to-finish victory, however, six days after the rally he received a verbal reprimand under the term “Improper driving” as specified in General Competition Rule 139.6. The record of the penalty (shown on the Sportity App on Form P2) stated "Spinning of wheels at Ceremonial finish ramp (Main Street, Killarney)." It’s alleged that Rovanpera engaged in similar behaviour. The has been informed that contact (by the Killarney organisers) is to be made with the Finnish ace, who won the WRC in 2022 and 2023. The spokesperson said, “We can’t have one rule for one and another rule for someone else, due process must be applied.” The Galway Motor Club has announced the continuation of Corrib Oil as its title sponsor for their premier event, the Galway International Rally that take place on February 1/2 next. The event with new clerk of the course Joe Donoghue will feature fifteen stages. Saturday’s action (three stages repeated three times) will be in the Headford/Tuam region with the Sunday stages 3 x 2) near Monivea. The service park is at the Galway Airport complex.
Scrutiny and parc ferme are at the Galway Racecourse with rally headquarters at the Connacht Hotel. Traditionally a popular event, it marks the beginning of the NAPA Autoparts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.