Planning for the 2026 Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes is moving at a frantic pace as Killarney prepares for its biggest annual sporting event from May 1 to 3.

There is a new face set to take charge of Killarney and District Motor Club’s flagship event as the countdown continues for the return of one of the town’s largest annual spectacles.

Tim Clifford has been appointed Clerk of the Course for the 2026 edition. While this is his first time at the helm of the International rally, Tim is a well-known figure in the town and a veteran of the local motorsport scene.

He recently ran the successful ‘Rally Masters’ at Killarney Racecourse and previously managed the Killarney Historic Rally on five occasions between 2002 and 2006. When he isn’t at Rally HQ, Tim runs the Pony Tales equine stables in Faha.

A preferred route has already been identified for the May Bank Holiday weekend. Organisers are currently finalising a localised, compact route that puts the best interests of the town’s businesses, rally competitors, and spectators at the forefront.

The goal is to provide a high-octane event while ensuring the economic boost reaches the heart of Killarney.

Assess Ireland, the Kingdom-based motor and engineering assessors, returns as title sponsor for the third consecutive year.

The partnership has grown from strength to strength since it began in 2024. The Gleneagle Hotel will once again serve as the rally headquarters, housing everything from the rally office to the final prizegiving in the historic Killarney venue.

The 2026 rally carries massive weight across several championships.

It serves as Round 4 of the NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, currently led by Killarney co-driver Noel O’Sullivan and Derry’s Callum Devine, who are chasing a historic five-in-a-row. It is also a double-points scoring weekend for the GK Print Southern 4 Championship.

For the first time, the Rally of the Lakes will serve as the opening round of the Moriarty’s Central Car Sales Kingdom of Kerry Rally Championship, a move that is sure to spark intense competition among local crews.

Speaking after the announcement, Tim Clifford said it gives him and his family great pride to run the extraordinary Rally of the Lakes in his hometown.

He credited his huge team for working non-stop to get the rally on the road and noted that the preferred route should be a big hit with crews and spectators, keeping road mileage and costs to a minimum while supporting local businesses over the two days. Entries for the event are set to open shortly.

Ahern’s Castleisland hosted a BYD open day last weekend to celebrate the arrival of the brand’s first-ever estate model in Ireland

Since being appointed as Kerry agents for the Chinese electric brand in December 2024, this was the dealership’s second major event for the marque.

The spotlight was on the new BYD Seal 6 Super Hybrid Touring, a plug-in hybrid that introduces an ultra-practical estate body style to BYD’s European lineup.

Equipped with intelligent Super DM (Dual Mode) technology, the vehicle is designed to prioritize electric power to ensure a quiet and efficient drive.

The estate body style starts from €38,999 and is available in both ‘Boost’ and ‘Comfort’ trim variants.

The drivetrain offers over 100km of pure-electric driving and switches to an ultra-low fuel consumption hybrid mode when the battery is low. At 4,840mm long with a 2,790mm wheelbase, the car provides comfortable space for five adults.

For added peace of mind, the cobalt-free Blade Battery now comes with an extended warranty of 8 years or 250,000km.

The Seal 6 Touring is the first of six new models BYD plans to introduce to the Irish market this year. It joins a growing local lineup following the successful launch of the Seal U SUV in 2024.