Following on from the success of the 2007 Irish Fiesta SportingTrophy, organisers M-Sport have announced details for the new-look 2008 campaign, set to include six high-profile asphalt-based events focusing on the mainland Ireland rounds of the prestigious TROA Irish Tarmac Championship.

The series will once again begin with the Galway Rally in February. Competitors will then travel north of the border for the UAC Easter Rally in March, before moving to the opposite end of the country for the Killarney Rally of the Lakes in May. The Shell Donegal Rally in June will make up round four while the Ulster National Rally – a new addition – will be the penultimate outing. The championship will once again conclude with the Cork '20' Rally in September.

The format of the FST section, for the majority of events, will remain the same as this year. Crews will be integrated into the running order on leg two, covering stage mileage of approximately 120km. The Ulster National Rally will however include a number of stages on the Friday evening, prior to a full day's competition the following day.

Crews will compete for prize money on each event, with the top eight sharing a total of €2,925 per round and a guaranteed place in the 'FST Shoot-Out', which will take place at M-Sport in December 2008.

“After an exciting year in the Irish championship, we have taken into consideration helpful feedback from teams in an effort to make next year's series even more successful,” commented M-Sport business development manager Andrew Wheatley. “We have kept the classic tarmac rallies and tried to reduce the 'real' costs of competing.

“This series now follows some of the best rallies in the world, with some great stages at a very reasonable cost. We hope this will attract new competitors from Ireland and some of the crews over from the UK, to experience the fantastic atmosphere and close competition that the Irish championship has to offer.”

2008 Irish Fiesta SportingTrophy Calendar:

February 3 – Galway Rally, Galway City
March 23 – UAC Easter Rally, TBC
May 4 – Killarney Rally of the Lakes, Killarney
June 15 – Donegal Rally, Letterkenny
August 23 – Ulster Rally, Armagh
September 28 – Cork '20' Rally, Cork City