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The old mart car park in Fermoy, which will be transformed into the service park for the Cork ’20’ International Rally. Photo: Eoin Scanlon

Since being announced as the venue for the Cork ‘20’ International Rally, preparations have been underway in Fermoy to ready itself for the influx of people that will descend on the town over the first weekend in October.

In anticipation, The Avondhu sat down with Clerk of the Course, Colman Hegarty to discuss the structure of the race, opportunities for the public to see the action, and the opportunity it provides the business community in the town.

In rallying terms, the two-day international event is a key feature in the Clonakilty Black Pudding Tarmac Championship, which is the premier rally championship in the country.

It attracts competitors from all over Ireland and beyond. Traditionally the event would have between 130 and 160 crews, with each crew comprised of five to six people.

For the general public looking to get up close to the cars and the drivers, according to the Clerk of the Course, the best place to go is the service park. In Fermoy, the service park will be situated centrally in the old mart car park.

“The main hub of the rally is the service park, that is the big attraction. It’s quite unique to get it in such a central area in a town centre anywhere in the country. Generally there in industrial estates, the town centre location is quite exciting for us. It brings everything nearer to the public.”

The crews will arrive in Fermoy on Saturday morning, and between races the competitors will visit the service park five times on Saturday, October 3, and three times on Sunday, October 4.

“That’s where everything happens, that’s where the activity is. It’s a free circus out in the countryside, but we would encourage families, especially those with young kid,s to stay in the service park because they will get to see the drivers and the cars up close.

“They’ll see work that might take two days in a garage take 20 minutes. There’s no restrictions, people can walk in and mingle with the drivers,” he added.

The competitors will be driving some of the most modern rally cars in the world, cars with a value of €500,000. As for the race itself, there will be eight stages on Saturday – four locations ran twice, and six stages on Sunday – three locations ran twice.

Routes will vary from between 12km to 20km, with differing terrain, from tight and twisty to open and fast. The start ramp for the race will also be based in Fermoy, at Pearse Square.

With the two-day event attracting such high numbers of competitors and even higher numbers of spectators, Mr Hegarty said this is a chance for the town to capitalise on the occasion.

“It’s a big opportunity for the businesses in Fermoy to harness that influx of people. In some towns they do ancillary activities, and I know there is a committee in place to organise events around the rally. It’s a most family orientated and spectator friendly, so it always attracts big crowds.”

Fermoy Enterprise Board have been named as associate sponsors of the event, and are in the process of organising a host of events in the town to compliment the rally.

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