Preparations are well under way for the 2017 Corrib Oil Galway International Rally, which takes place from the 3rd to the 5th of February.

Organised by Galway Motor Club, Clerk of the Course, Kieran Donohue and his dedicated team have laid on a challenging route, based in the Athenry area on Saturday 4th February, and Tuam on Sunday 5th February. Kieran has selected some stages not used for many years in addition to old favourites from more recent events.

Corrib Oil has again taken up the role of title sponsor for the rally. The event costs over €120,000 to run each year, and the club committee is indebted to the management and staff of Corrib Oil for their significant sponsorship.

The Galway Race Course will play host to mechanical scrutiny on Friday the 3rd of February. The event will finish at the Clayton Hotel, Ballybrit, on the Sunday evening with the top cars crossing the finish ramp and the victors spraying the champagne. The management and staff of the Clayton Hotel will be celebrating the fact that this is the 10th consecutive year of their involvement with the rally.

Run over two days, the event will have a total of 15 closed road stages consisting of 9 stages on Saturday, with a further 6 stages being covered on Sunday. Detailed Maps and time schedules will be available in the official Rally Programme, which will be available closer the event. A list of outlets will be published on the event website shortly.

The 2017 edition will have FIA International Status and will be the opening round of the Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. 

The event will include an Historic Rally and Junior Rally and an entry of over 100 teams is expected.