Sean Hayde takes the reins as ITRC manager
By Adam Hall – Photos by D Harrigan and Lorcan Barron
The Irish Tarmac Rally Championship will be co-ordinated by a new manager in 2024. Cork’s Sean Hayde steps into the role, succeeding Paddy Flanagan as ITRC’s Championship Manager.
Paddy Flanagan has overseen the championship since 2015, managing some of Irish Tarmac’s most competitive seasons. The championship has gone from strength to strength in recent years helped by a switch to an R5/Rally2-based international category in 2016, ever-present modified thrillers, increasingly popular historic classes, and a string of up-and-coming junior stars.
The Tarmac Rally Organisers Association would like to thank Paddy for all of his commitment, help, and guidance over each of the seven championships. We wish you all the best in the future and hope to see you around the service park for many years to come.
Sean Hayde takes on the role as an experienced co-driver and member of the Munster Car Club. Having competed across Ireland with a variety of drivers in both national and international events, TROA is confident that Sean will provide a bright future for the championship.
February’s Galway International Rally will be Sean’s first event in his new post but he has already started working with the rest of the TROA team to prepare for the 2024 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
The championship once again consists of seven rounds with drivers and co-drivers set to take on some of the world’s most challenging asphalt stages.
2024 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship
Rd 1 – Galway International Rally (03-04 Feb)
Rd 2 – West Cork International Rally (15-17 Mar)
Rd 3 – Circuit of Ireland (29-30 Mar)
Rd 4 – International Rally of the Lakes (04-05 May)
Rd 5 – Donegal International Rally (21-23 Jun)
Rd 6 – Ulster International Rally (16-17 Aug)
Rd 7 – Cork 20 International Rally (28-29 Sep)
Paddy Flanagan, outgoing ITRC manager
“It is with great sadness that I am retiring from my role as ITRC manager. I will still keep my eye in and will help out when needed.
“I was hugely proud and privileged to be asked to manage the championship back in 2015. Rallying has been in my blood from my early teens and will always be a part of my life.
“The past eight years have had their ups and downs but the ups have far outweighed the downs.
“There are too many people who I need to thank to name individually for their help and support over the past eight years. However my deepest gratitude goes to the chairmen and all who served as directors, treasurer, and secretary of TROA.
“To all the member clubs, it has been a pleasure to work with you all. Finally to the competitors, thanks for your support this past eight years without you there would not be a championship.
“I would like to wish new championship manager Sean Hayde all the best in his new role.”
Sean Hayde, ITRC manager
“To the Chairman and all the directors of TROA, I wish to thank you for the opportunity of being appointed as your next ITRC manager.
“It is a great privilege to undertake such a role and having been involved in rallying for many years, I hope that I will make TROA and all the competitors proud in assisting, promoting and ensuring that this championship goes from strength to strength.
“I will be available at all events in 2024 for all competitors, International, Modified, Historic, Juniors and at the end of the phone for any help, queries or other assistance in relation to the championship.
“What I would ask is that any competitors who are thinking of doing the championship, please register as soon as possible as this will make all of our roles a little easier.”
Email: seanhaydetroamanager@gmail.com
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