7 August 2002: The 2002 West International Rally will take place on the weekend 8/9 November, and will be a counting round in the 2002 Toshiba Computers Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, the 2002 Ford Ireland Focus Rally Championship, and the 2002 Irish Tarmac Historic Rally Championship. A National Permit event takes place in parallel with the main event.
 
The event is being organised in association with the Quality Hotel Group with the event utilising both the Quality Hotel in Clarenbridge (Headquarters) and the Quality Hotel in Oranmore.

Regulations will be available from 23rd September 2002 and entries will close on Friday 21st  October 2002. Regulations will be posted to those registered for the above Championships. Regulations may be applied for by Post or Fax ONLY to Entries Secretary, Ms. Eleanor O'Boyle, Dunkellin Lodge, Weir Road, Kilcolgan, Co Galway. Fax Number 00 353 (0) 91 758053. The Entry Fee is ¤495.

Event Scrutiny will take place between 2.00pm and 8.00pm on Friday 8th November 2002.

The rally start is 8.00 am on Saturday 8th November. The rally format is eight stages based around a centralised off-road service area in north County Galway followed by four stages in darkness before a 7.30pm finish. In total five separate stages are being used in a rolling loop format giving a total stage mileage of 110 approximately over the twelve stages. Prizegiving will take place on Sunday morning at the rally headquarters.

The event is organised by County Galway Motor Club Limited under permit granted by Motorsport Ireland on behalf of the F.I.A (Federation Internationale de L’Automobile).

The organisers have agreed terms to provide 45 minutes of TV coverage of the event on UTV and certain satellite channels.

Clerk of the Course Dennis Murphy said he was delighted at the return of International Rallying to the County Galway after a three-and-a-half year absence. International rallies have been taking place in the county since 1971 and this event, although very different in format, is very important for Galway Motor Club and for West of Ireland motorsport enthusiasts.