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The International Rally of the Lakes, one of the highlights of the Irish motorsport calendar, has been boosted by the announcement that its title sponsor is renewing its association with the event for another three years. Cartell.ie provides an online vehicle history and data check service, and has sponsored the Killarney-based rally since 2010.
With iconic stages such as Moll's Gap and Caragh Lake, the event is a true test of man and machine. Held on the May Bank Holiday weekend and now entering its 38th year, the rally has seen folk heroes like Billy Coleman, Bertie Fisher and current Citroen works driver Kris Meeke take victory in the past.
The local economy receives an estimated €10m boost each year from the event, and over 20,000 people are set to make the annual pilgrimage to the town for the long weekend. The Gleneagle hotel is the event headquarters (as it has been since 1980), and this year's rally will once again act as a counting round for both the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship and the Southern 4 Rally Championship.
Jeff Aherne of Cartell.ie commented: "We are proud to be a part of rallying heritage and to be involved in this tremendously successful and well-organised event. We appreciate the rally is of vital importance to the continued vibrancy of the tourist economy in Kerry and West Cork."