Peugeot Ireland has announced details of its sponsorship of the 2009 Irish 205 Challenge, in support of rally enthusiasts nationwide.
Twenty-six years after its launch, the 205 still enjoys a huge, loyal following among rally circles both in Ireland and internationally. The reference model for all motor sport fans even today, the 205 enjoyed victories in the World Championships to gain Peugeot an international image. Its replacement 15 years later, the 206, won the World Rally Championship for three successive years.
The Irish 205 Challenge is headed by former works Peugeot and Mitsubishi driver, Rory Galligan and friend Barry Sheridan. Established in 2004, the 205 1.6 GTi Challenge has proved extremely successful, attracting drivers new and experienced, each year with decider nail-biting finishes to crown the winner. This year the challenge will consist of six rallies on both tarmac and gravel with the best five out of six scores to count towards an overall championship; Mayo (tarmac ), the Midlands (tarmac ), Cavan (tarmac ), ALMC Balbriggan (tarmac ), Cork (two-day forest event ) and the final on September 8/ 9 in Wexford (two-day tarmac event ).
Mark Hayes, marketing manager at Peugeot Ireland, said: “Our support of the Irish 205 Challenge has been a natural choice, given the iconic status the Peugeot 205 has held over the last couple of decades. It is immensely satisfying to know that the 205 is still competing at rally challenges locally. In sponsoring the six-event Irish 205 Challenge, Peugeot Ireland is lending support to not only experienced drivers, but new drivers who are starting afresh in the world of motor sport.”
Thanks to the Peugeot Service Club and Slattery’s Garage, Main Peugeot Dealers, Puckane, Co Tipperary, pledging their support, this year will see the biggest prize fund to date of €6,000. Peugeot is further aiding the Challenge drivers and crews by offering heavily discounted genuine Peugeot replacement parts. Through Peugeot, Makita power tools, Blaklader workwear and Finol have also been signed up as co-sponsors to supplement the Challenge finances.
Interested parties who want to get into rallying, at an affordable price should join the growing list of members by logging onto http://www.irish205challenge.com and clicking on getting started.
