This week’s RIAC - Motorsport Ireland classic video from the RPM Motorsport collection is the final round of the 2000 Irish Tarmac Championship, the Cork 20 International Rally.

Trying to shake off the perception their title run had been an easy one, Andrew Nesbitt and James O’Brien set out to continue their winning streak against a high-quality field on the final round of the series in Cork. Four former champions, Ian Greer, Austin McHale, Frank Meagher and Kenny McKinstry all tried to match the Armagh driver but Nesbitt comfortably pulled away from the opposition and even a late drama with a broken exhaust manifold couldn’t prevent him winning by one a half minutes. The upload also includes a round up of the national rally in the same event which was won by Eugene Donnelly and Paul Nagle after a miraculous high-speed escape on the opening day.

This programme will be available to stream below from 7pm on Thursday, November 26th.

Next week’s upload will feature highlights from the final round of the 2000 Northern Ireland Rally Championship, the Toshiba Rally.

Remember to subscribe to the Motorsport Ireland–RIAC YouTube Channel to be notified of our latest video uploads. 

This week’s RIAC - Motorsport Ireland classic video from the RPM Motorsport collection is action from three rounds of the Italian Saloon Car Championship in 2000, with commentary from Brian Tuite, Declan Quigley and Alan Tyndall.

The Italian Saloon Car Championship provided some hugely entertaining and close racing at the turn of the millennium with the little Fiats fighting for tenths of seconds throughout the season. The three rounds featured this week, one from Kirkistown and two from Mondello, saw Gordon Kellett secure the championship title from Dave Maguire. However, as you’ll see it was the rookie and former international showjumper Erik Holstein who stole the show, taking a hat trick of wins in his first season behind the wheel!

This programme will be available to stream below from 7pm on Thursday, November 19th: 

Next week’s upload will feature highlights from the final round of the 2000 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, the Cork 20 International Rally.

Remember to subscribe to the Motorsport Ireland–RIAC YouTube Channel to be notified of our latest video uploads. ​

This week’s RIAC - Motorsport Ireland classic video from the RPM Motorsport collection is action from the 2000 Manx Trophy Rally, with commentary from Gary Gillespie and Alan Tyndall.

The Manx International Rally was always a traditional double header between the Irish Tarmac and British Rally Championships but differing regulations between the series at the turn of the millennium saw Irish Tarmac Championship competitors relegated to the Trophy Rally, a national event running behind the international rally. A number of Irish crews made the journey to the island in 2000, with Daniel and Michael Doherty hoping to force the title fight with Andrew Nesbitt to the final round in Cork. Doherty took an early lead on the night stages but in the daylight on day two, Nesbitt shot to the front and Doherty crashed out in his attempts to stay with him. Nesbitt went on to claim a commanding victory and with it, the 2000 Irish Tarmac Championship title.

This programme is available to stream below from 7pm on Thursday, 12th November.

​Next week’s upload will feature Italian Saloon Car Championship 2000 action from Kirkistown and Mondello Park.

Remember to subscribe to the Motorsport Ireland–RIAC YouTube Channel to be notified of our latest video uploads.

Membership renewals will be due on 1st January 2021 accompanied by some good news.

We would like to offer members an additional 10 days of free parking as part of their 2021 renewal.
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Members who renew in November and December will be entered into a draw for reimbursement of their 2021 subscription fees.

Please note that vouchers for 2020 are redeemable for our restaurant and wine takeaway offers up until we close for Christmas on the 24th December 2020.

As social distancing guidelines are still in place in the RIAC office, we would appreciate if payments could be made online, by bank transfer, post, or over the phone.

Payment can be made via the below options:

• Online – via link in Clubnet email sent on 10/11/2020
• Bank transfer - Request details from office 
• Post - Cheque accepted
• Credit card – over the phone on 01 677 5141

Thank you for your support of the RIAC in 2020 and we look forward to your continued support in 2021.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Holly on 01 6775141 or email info@riac.ie  

A digital invoice was emailed on 10/11/2020 via our club system 'Clubnet'
Please search Clubnet in your inbox to view your 2021 invoice. 

This week’s RIAC - Motorsport Ireland classic video from the RPM Motorsport collection is action from the 2000 Ulster Rallycross GP which was held at Nutts Corner, with commentary from Brian Tuite and Alan Tyndall.

The 2000 Ulster Rallycross GP provided a high-quality field of supercars with over 2,000 bhp lining up on the grid for the heats and finals. Multiple champion Dermot Carnegie and Limerick man John Moloney were hoping to use their power advantage in the turbocharged Fords, but it was local man Lawrence Gibson in his normally aspirated Metro 6R4 who eventually triumphed in the final. In the modified classes, past champion Denis Biggerstaff made a guest appearance in the budget Mini class while there was more Metro success in the overall modified final with Mike Dresser narrowly edging out Norman Beggs.

This programme will be available to stream below from 7pm on Thursday, 5th November 2020.

​Next week’s upload will once again see us feature highlights from the 2000 Irish Tarmac Championship, where several crews made the journey to the Isle of Man for the Manx Trophy Rally.

Remember to subscribe to the Motorsport Ireland–RIAC YouTube Channel to be notified of our latest video uploads. 

This week’s RIAC-Motorsport Ireland classic video from the RPM Motorsport collection is action from the 2000 Donegal International Rally with commentary from Gary Gillespie and Alan Tyndall.
Having suffered a non-finish on the opening round in Killarney, and inheriting a win following Derek McGarrity’s exclusion on the second round, Andrew Nesbitt was out to prove a point on the third round of the 2000 Irish Tarmac Championship, the Donegal International Rally. In perfect conditions, Nesbitt and co-driver James O’Brien blew the opposition away in their Subaru Impreza WRC on the three day event in the north west, taking fastest time on all twenty two stages and ending up with a winning margin of over three and a half minutes!
This programme will be available to stream below from 7pm on Thursday, October 29th.

Next week’s upload will once again feature action from the year 2000 but this time in the form of Rallycross action from Nutts Corner.
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Remember to subscribe to the Motorsport Ireland–RIAC YouTube Channel to be notified of our latest video uploads. 

This week’s RIAC-Motorsport Ireland classic video from the RPM Motorsport collection is action from the 1990 Lurgan Park Rally with commentary from Gary Gillespie and Alan Tyndall.
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1990 saw the 11th running of the Lurgan Park Rally but for the first time in its history, conditions were wet. Four-time Lurgan Park winner Kenny McKinstry set off as the favourite in his new all wheel drive Ford Sierra Cosworth with Jimmy McRae and James Cullen set to challenge him in their turbocharged Fords. However, it was Eamonn McAleenan in his home-built Toyota Starlet who took the lead early on until differential failure. First overall then became a fight between Derek McGarrity and Davy Greer but it was a hard charging Ken Colbert (who was 12th after the opening stage) who came through the pack to take victory. 

This programme will be available to stream below from 7pm on Thursday, October 22nd:

Next week’s upload will feature the 2000 Donegal International Rally where Andrew Nesbitt and James O’Brien destroyed the opposition by taking fastest time on every stage of the event.

Remember to subscribe to the Motorsport Ireland–RIAC YouTube Channel to be notified of our latest video uploads. ​

This week's RIAC-Motorsport Ireland classic video from the RPM Motorsport collection is action from the Summit 2000 Rally with commentary from Gary Gillespie and Alan Tyndall.

With the Galway International, Circuit of Ireland and Ulster rallies not running in the year 2000, the Irish Tarmac Championship was looking a little sparse. To fill the void, the Summit 2000 Rally was created as a one off addition to the calendar. Utilising private roads over Slieve Rusheen on the Cavan/Fermanagh border, the event attracted a star studded entry, including former World Rally Champions Hannu Mikkola and Stig Blomqvist. But it was local heroes who were to lead the way with Andrew Nesbitt, Derek McGarrity and Daniel Doherty all leading throughout the course of the day amid constantly changing conditions. In a final stage charge, Nesbitt overhauled Doherty to win, aided by the exclusion of McGarrity. It was the start of an incredible run for Nesbitt, which would see him go unbeaten in a 10 rally streak, which finally ended in July 2002.

This programme will be available to stream below from 7pm on Thursday, October 15th.

Next week’s upload will feature the 1990 Lurgan Park Rally. Always a popular single venue event, 1990 brought heavy rainfall and a surprise winner in the form of Ken Colbert.

Remember to subscribe to the Motorsport Ireland–RIAC YouTube Channel to be notified of our latest video uploads. 

The RIAC Newsletter for October 2020 is now available online. 

Click on the button below to read all the latest RIAC Club news, developments and updates.