2002 saw the Irish Tarmac Championship include a round in Scotland for the first time. With British and Irish Championship rules somewhat aligned, in addition to the Manx and the Ulster, the Jim Clark Rally now provided a third opportunity for the top crews in each series to go directly up against each other. New territory for almost all entered, it was Derek McGarrity who led at the end of opening day with Andrew Nesbitt over a minute adrift in fourth. Propshaft failure for McGarrity put him out early on day 2 as Nesbitt scythed his way to the front of the field to win by over 2 and a half minutes.