This week’s  RIAC - Motorsport Ireland classic video from the RPM Motorsport collection is highlights from the 1981 Donegal International Rally, originally aired on RTÉ.
Jimmy McRae was at the peak of his powers in the 80s and headed an impressive entry for the 1981 Donegal International Rally. However, it was the unassuming bank clerk from Castlederg, John Lyons, who stole the show. Lyons launched into an unassailable early lead and controlled the event from start to finish to take his maiden international win in his Sydney Meeke prepared Ford Escort RS1800.
This programme will be available to stream below from 7pm on April 29th.

​Next week’s upload will feature highlights from the 1996 Rally of the Lakes where Bertie Fisher was chasing his sixth win but faced stiff opposition from James Cullen and Liam O’Callaghan.
Remember to subscribe to the Motorsport Ireland–RIAC YouTube Channel to be notified of our latest video uploads. 

​​​After over 3 years’ service as Chief Executive Officer of RIAC and Motorsport Ireland, Leo Hassett is leaving to pursue other interests and other opportunities. Leo was a popular and well-liked leader with a real passion for the motor sport industry and we wish him the best in his future career. 

This week’s RIAC - Motorsport Ireland classic video from the RPM Motorsport collection is highlights from the 2001 Tour de Luxembourg where the RPM cameras travelled to the continent to follow the large number of Irish crews who were competing on the event.
With the 2001 outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in Ireland, almost a dozen Irish rally crews decided to head to Luxembourg to try their hand on the continent. Dutch driver and multiple Dutch and Belgian champion Rocco Theunissen was expected to make the running but much to his surprise and to the delight of the Irish, it was 1999 Irish Tarmac Champions Ian Greer and Dean Beckett who made the running, leading the European ace on neutral ground and in equal machinery after the opening day. Theunissen attempted to counter attack on the second day but Greer drove superbly to extend his lead and win by over a minute.
This programme will be available to stream below from 7pm on April 22nd.

​Next week’s upload will feature highlights from the 1981 Donegal International Rally where John Lyons claimed a very popular maiden international win.
Remember to subscribe to the Motorsport Ireland–RIAC YouTube Channel to be notified of our latest video uploads. 

​As travel restrictions have increased to 20 km from your home or within your county, we would like to remind members of our daily takeaway menu and gourmet ready meal menu available to collect from the restaurant.

To order simply call Christophe on 087 671 43 68 or email christophe@riac.ie Monday to Friday 9am - 4pm. Your meal can then be collected from the refrigerated cold counter on the first floor.

​This week’s RIAC - Motorsport Ireland classic video from the RPM Motorsport collection is highlights from the 1996 Circuit of Ireland with commentary from Alan Tyndall and Gary Gillespie.
What the 1996 Circuit of Ireland lacked in quantity in certainly made up for in quality with the winners from the previous three Circuits, Austin McHale, Stephen Finlay and Bertie Fisher in attendance, as well as rising stars like Liam O’Callaghan, Andrew Nesbitt and Ian Greer, all in four wheel drive Group A machinery. Fisher and Finlay set the pace at the front but Fisher’s event was beset by a number of uncharacteristic errors, the final of which dropped him to fourth place. After four days of rallying it was Finlay who would emerge victorious taking his second win on the event in three years.
This programme will be available to stream below from 7pm on April 8th.

​Next week’s upload will feature highlights from the 1996 Irish Super Prix where Swede Johan Rajamaki set a new Mondello lap record in his ex F1 Footwork-Judd .
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Remember to subscribe to the Motorsport Ireland–RIAC YouTube Channel to be notified of our latest video uploads

Clubhouse Restaurant (Currently Takeaway Only)
Closed – April 5th 
Reopening – April 6th 
 
RIAC Office
Closed – April 5th
Reopening – April 6th  

RIAC Garage 
The garage will operate as usual on a 24 hour basis 
the garage can be contacted by phone on 01 677 5299

We would like to wish all our members a safe and Happy Easter ​

​This week’s RIAC-Motorsport Ireland  classic video from the RPM Motorsport collection is highlights from the 1991 Circuit of Ireland as aired on RTÉ.
The Circuit of Ireland’s star was beginning to fade somewhat my the early ‘90s but it was still seen by many as the one to win and with no Irish driver having won the event since 1984, the local heroes were out in force to try and take the win. They had no answer however for a young Scot called Colin McRae, who in first full season with Subaru was finally beginning to deliver on the big stage. McRae would go on to win by almost 5 minutes and just 4 years later he would be crowned the youngest ever World Rally Champion.
This programme will be available to stream below from 7pm on April 1st.

​Next week’s upload will feature highlights from the 1996 Circuit of Ireland where Stephen Finlay was to take his second win on the Easter classic.
Remember to subscribe to the Motorsport Ireland–RIAC YouTube Channel to be notified of our latest video uploads.