FORECAST GOOD FOR TRITON SHOWERS NATIONAL RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

 

A new season of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship was unveiled in Maynooth this afternoon with the popular series set to visit eight different locations this year.  It will begin in Ballina at the beginning of next month and will traverse all four provinces as it concludes in Killybegs in early October.

With a total of 16 events under the umbrella of Triton Showers series, the organising committee rotate eight events on a biennial basis that affords the series a wonderful opportunity to give competitors and spectators a diverse range of rallying territory set against an equally varied Irish landscape.

 

Speaking at the launch at the Glen Royal Hotel in Maynooth, Kevin Barrett, M.D. of Triton Showers said, “Our first season as title sponsors of the National Rally Championship has been hugely encouraging.  Having been involved with the Circuit of Ireland and with our own Triton Showers backed cars we are very much aware of what is involved in Irish motorsport.  However, we are overwhelmed with the manner our association with the series has been received by competitors and spectators alike.  The promotion of all eight events within the series along with the awards ceremony has ensured that the Triton Showers brand has received tremendous exposure through all sections of the media.

This season, one of our cars will have a new livery. Paul’s N14 Subaru is in the colours of Vado – a shower, tap and accessories manufacturer that Triton purchased some three years ago and are now distributing alongside our range of products.

This year, with eight different events in the Triton Showers National Rally Championship, it offers another opportunity to continue to showcase all that is good in Irish motorsport.  Triton Showers would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all those involved.”

 

Reigning Triton Showers National Rally champion Donegal’s Donagh Kelly is not defending his title as he focuses on expanding his business interests, fellow Donegal driver and former champion Declan Boyle has earmarked the Mayo Rally as the first part of his national journey.  He is hoping that his Ford Fiesta WRC will be ready in time for the season opener, otherwise, he will begin his quest on the Circuit of Kerry.     

The Triton Showers team of Kevin Barrett and Niall Maguire in their Subaru WRC’s and the Group N duo of Paul Barrett (Subaru) and Shane Maguire (Mitsubishi) will be an integral part of the campaign.

Clonmel’s Roy White, who gave his Ford Fiesta WRC its debut on last year’s Fastnet Rally in Bantry is set for a full series campaign, he has secured a top three finish in the last three national campaigns.  Meanwhile, London based Cork driver Michael O’Brien has acquired the ex-Sam Moffett Ford Fiesta WRC and is setting his sights on a national bid where he may switch to his 2008 specification Ford Focus WRC for some of the events.

 

Speaking at the launch, Trevor Applegate, Sales Director, Triton Showers remarked, “Year one of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship has been a resounding success.  We are immensely proud to see Triton branding set against the splendid backdrop of the beautiful Irish countryside throughout all eight events of the championship, from the first event in County Laois in February to the finale in Bantry in West Cork in October.  The icing on the cake is that the championship was broadcast via satellite and terrestrial TV to 52 countries, making for a truly global branding exercise.  This, plus the extensive media coverage yielded, along with the enthusiasm and pure passion of everyone involved, makes it an outstanding partnership, and one that we are delighted to be involved with for 2016.”

Also addressing the attendance at the Glen Royal Hotel, Chairman of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship Committee, Richard Talbot outlined an additional aspect to the 2016 series. “The 2015 Championship was a tremendous success with over three hundred registered competitors across all categories.  This year we expect to have a very strong field between WRC, Group N, Group R, Modified and Juniors.  Included this year is The Smartpart ALMC Rally in July – also a counting round of the MSA Asphalt Rally Championship that will bring some of the best British national teams to Ireland.  For that event it is our intention to run a “Triton Showers Inter-Championship Cup Competition.  It will be a team event between the best Irish and British competitors in a Ryder Cup type competition. This should bring an extra competitive edge to the event and more importantly a bit of fun for all concerned.  Details have yet to be finalised but we feel it will add value and interest to both championships.”

He added, “Triton Showers have been fantastic sponsors and we look forward to working with Kevin and Trevor and all the team for this year and beyond.  We are sure the 2016 Championship will be the biggest and best to date.  The opening round in Mayo is expected to have a very strong entry and we expect this trend to continue through the other seven counting events.” 

 

2016 Triton Showers National Rally Championship Diary Dates:

 

1.         Mayo Rally                                         March 6th.                            

2.         Circuit of Kerry Rally                        April 3rd.                               

3.         Carlow Rally                                       May 8th.                      

4.         Cavan Rally                                        May 29th.                              

5.         ALMC Rally                                         July 3rd.                    

6.         Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally       August 7th.                           

7.         Clare Rally                                          September 18th .                 

8.         Donegal Harvest Rally                      October 8th.