Killarney and District Motor Club will launch the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at the Gleneagle Hotel on Sunday afternoon.

The 43nd running of the biggest rally in Kerry will take place on May 4 and 5.

Rally fans can expect an action-packed weekend, beginning with the now-traditional ceremonial start on Main Street on Friday night.

The rally returns to the Beara Peninsula on Saturday and the route will include classic favourites like Cod’s Head, Ardgroom and the Healy Pass.

Sunday’s route also features some new roads, as the rally heads to east Kerry with newer versions of old favourites on offer including a longer version of Gortnagane.

“We will have a couple of special announcements regarding the town centre at the launch,” said the clerk of the course Cormac Casey,

With entries set to close on Friday the club will be in a position to reveal some of the big names that will tackle the rally in just over two weeks’ time.

Returning too for 2024 is title sponsors Assess Ireland. - front runners when it comes to providing automotive and engineering inspection services. It provides a nationwide service through its network of engineers.

Established in 1999, Assess Ireland currently employs a team of more than 80 highly skilled people throughout Ireland including engineers, finance, customer support and logistics teams.

Assess Ireland is headquartered in Tralee creating employment for more than 40 people in Kerry and supporting the local economy.

Assess Ireland offers a range of motor services to the corporate insurance sector as well as providing engineering and work equipment inspections to a wide range of businesses both locally and nationally.

Sunday’s launch gets underway at 5.00 pm, there will be a static display of some of the competing cars, and local drivers, including Muckross man, defending champion Noel O’Sullivan who is chasing a third victory in a row.

The 2024 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship is being led by the Killarney and District Motor club crew of Keith Cronin and Mikie Galvin in a Ford Fiesta Rally2.

Sunday’s launch is open to the public and all are welcome to attend and hear about the 2024 rally