The Irish Tarmac Rally Championship has released details of a new prize for its Ford Fiesta Rally4 crews in 2022. The top Fiesta Rally4 driver in this year’s championship will receive an arrive-and-drive deal in an M-Sport Poland prepared Rally4 Fiesta on the European Rally Championship’s Barum Czech Rally Zlin.
Czech Republic’s popular asphalt event was praised by visiting Irishman Callum Devine after he finished seventh on the event last year. The partnered deal between ITRC and M-Sport Poland offers a great opportunity for another local crew to show their pace on the popular European event.
The Irish Tarmac Rally Championship gets underway at the start of February in Galway. A strong entry is expected for the two-day season opener, including plenty of Rally4 challengers.
A second prize is also on offer for ITRC’s Rally4 Fiesta crews. The driver with the most RC4 stage wins throughout the 2022 Irish Tarmac Championship will have the opportunity to test a Rally3 Fiesta in Poland.
This second prize will be fought between drivers behind the overall Rally4 Fiesta champion.
“I am very excited that M-Sport Poland has partnered with the ITRC,” said championship manager Paddy Flanagan. “We are honoured as a championship that a manufacturer like M-Sport Poland is prepared to invest in the ITRC with these brilliant prizes.
“It will be brilliant to reward two young competitors with these prizes. To let one experience ERC, probably for the first time, will be a great pleasure for everyone in the championship.”
M-Sport Poland’s prizes are subject to ITRC running all seven rounds with at least six Rally4 Fiestas starting each one.
Barum Czech Rally Zlin takes place on 27-28 August, one week after ITRC’s final round – the Ulster Rally.
The European Rally Championship has its own Rally4 class – ERC4. ERC4’s Junior champion in 2022 will receive a prize drive in 2023’s Junior WRC.
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Photos courtesy of FIA ERC