This year's Statoil International Motor Rally has left permanent skid-marks in Galway city and county, to judge by the reaction of a former mayor and other outraged local representatives.
In the face of widespread criticism, and a demand for a ban from Tuam Urban District Council, the organisers are adamant that the event will go ahead as planned next year.
"This has been a very successful competition - the 26th, hosted by Galway Motor Club - and to cancel now would be to give in to thuggery and hooliganism," said Mr Brian Thornton, public relations officer.
The disturbances at Salthill, during which 30 gardai in riot gear baton-charged a crowd in the early hours of Sunday, February 7th, did not involve rally competitors who were staying over on the other side of the city in Renmore, he stressed. Nor was the trouble "as bad" as last year. This time, 10 people were arrested for various offences, compared to 28 in 1998.
Be that as it may, the young hoods with souped-up vehicles playing "chicken" on the coast road from Galway to Salthill did not accidentally choose that weekend to spend time in the city.
Throughout the night of February 6th-7th, cars raced up and down Dr Colohan Road - part of that coastal route. Groups of drivers headed for isolated areas, such as the Silver Strand and Barna Wood, to perform wheelies and handbrake turns. Even at 11 a.m. on Sunday, when many city dwellers were out on Salthill promenade, drivers were performing various tricks. Once again, Dr Colohan Road proved to be more hazardous than a Mondello race track.
Particularly alarming traffic incursions continued throughout the day until about 6 p.m.
The drivers are said to be supporters of a group which has members both north and south of the Border. Mr Gerry Murphy, president of Galway Motor Club, says that they communicate via the Internet, CB radio, and also use scanners. Some of them hire vehicles for such occasions, but are not interested in watching the rally stages. He has described them as a "terrible scourge", and has said that they are an "embarrassment to the sport".
The Galway Motor Club says that its event is worth at least £3 million to the city, and the gardai have played down the disturbances, pointing to the fact that all 10 arrested were released on their own bail.