Preparations are well underway for one of the highlights of the Irish Motorsport Calendar, the 2019 Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally.

Based in Mallow over two days the famous Cork forestry event counts as round 5 and 6 of the Valvoline Irish Forestry Rally Championship and takes place on July 27 and 28.

After the successful return of the multi-day format in 2018, this year’s event is aiming to push the bar even higher and create what is surely going to be one of the most memorable Rally Events in the country.

A large number of key supporters of the event have come on board once again, testament to the high standing that the Cork Forest Rally is held in, and the vital impact it plays in bring a large economic impact to the region. The rally will be based out of the Hibernian Hotel in Mallow, while the overnight halt and Parc Ferme will be located in the Cork County Council Annabella complex.

For a fifth straight year, the main event sponsor is Crafted Fitted Furniture, a local Mallow based firm who design bespoke Furniture and Kitchens. Clerk of the Course Paul Casey has put together a fast, flowing and exciting route for spectators, utilising a number of two-stage loops with regular service intervals throughout both days.

Saturday will see competitors tackling six classic Forest stages with approximately 70km of competitive action to look forward to. The highlight here is certain to be a properly challenging 18.5km stage that will be run twice.

Sunday is a real throwback, as after an absence of four years, the Cork Forest Rally will blast back into the Ballyhoura Mountains. Eight tests await the crews, and a stage mileage of 85km split over stages measuring at minimum 8km meaning this is without doubt the best Forestry event that Ireland has to offer!

Entries are now available on the Cork Motor Club’s website, www.corkmotorclub.com and the Jim Walsh Rally Facebook page.