NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship
Defending Circuit of Ireland Rally winners Matt Edwards and David Moynihan lead a high-quality entry list for this year’s Dungannon-based event, round two of the NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
Edwards is hoping to bounce back from a disappointing retirement from last month’s West Cork Rally championship opener. The Welshman had been second on his Hyundai i20 Rally2 debut before sliding off on day two. A strong drive on the Circuit of Ireland 12 months ago propelled him into a championship battle with eventual champions Keith Cronin and Mikie Galvin – Edwards will be looking for a similar result this weekend.
West Cork winner Cronin will be the pre-event favourite for many after his success on Irish Tarmac’s opening round. Cronin is still adjusting to his new Citroen C3 Rally2 and faces a strong list of Circuit contenders this time around.
Newly-wed Callum Devine returns to action after missing West Cork. The 2023 Irish Tarmac Champion has been in formidable form since his mid-season switch to a Skoda Fabia Rally2. Ever-present threats Josh Moffett and Andy Hayes are seeded fourth in another Citroen, looking for their first ITRC victory in two years.
2023 McEvoy Motorsport Modified Irish Tarmac Champions Eddie Doherty and Tom Murphy are starting to rack up strong Irish Tarmac finishes. Their recent domination of the Circuit of Kerry hints at the Skoda crew’s potential of mounting a serious ITRC challenge in 2025.
2013 Irish Tarmac Champion Garry Jennings is seeded sixth after his Tour of the Sperrins and Manx Rally victories. The Fermanagh driver was impressed with his new Ford Fiesta Rally2 and will be looking forward to going up against Ireland’s best alongside legendary co-driver Rory Kennedy.
Cathan McCourt, Ryan Loughran, Declan Boyle, and David Kelly complete a strong list of Rally2 hopefuls inside the Circuit of Ireland’s top ten.
The Circuit of Ireland starts on Friday, 18th April, with two passes of the Ivy Hill stage. Nine stages on Saturday will complete the action.
McEvoy Motorsport Modified ITRC
A late misfire cost 2024 McEvoy Motorsport Modified ITRC champions Frank and Lauren Kelly a modified victory on the West Cork Rally. They will continue their ongoing rivalry with Damian Toner on the Circuit of Ireland with David Moffett, Michael Cahill, and Brian Lavelle among the two-wheel-drive contenders.
Toner went toe-to-toe with Kelly in last year’s series, narrowly missing out after a thrilling Cork 20 finale. Toner enters round two with a five-point lead over Eamon McCarthy and seven points clear of Corey Eves.
Local man Barry Morris has shown impressive form in his Darrian T90 so far this year and will be one to watch this weekend.
Wales Motorsport Fabrication Historic ITRC
Tomas Davies continued his impressive recent Historic ITRC form with another West Cork Historic Rally victory, strengthening his position at the top of the Wales Motorsport Fabrication Historic ITRC standings.
Davies’ rivals will have a chance to close his early advantage as he skips round three of the Wales Motorsport Fabrication Historic ITRC.
Hugh McQuaid and Declan Casey lead the Historic entry list, seeded 40th. John O’Donnell and Paddy Robinson have not only been impressive on the timesheets but entertaining on the stages as they bring their BMW M3 to the Circuit of Ireland.
Meirion Evans and Anthony O’Sullivan have been a formidable force in their Ford Escort RS1800 in recent years and will be pushing for another Historic victory together.
Local driver Trevor Wilson makes a welcome return to Historic action in another beautifully prepared BMW M3.
Paul Browne Plant Hire & Civil Engineering Junior ITRC
West Cork runner-up Ronan Dorrian will face off with Ballynahinch’s Cameron Crozier in the Circuit of Ireland’s Junior category. The Donegal-based driver is second in the Paul Browne Plant Hire & Civil Engineering Junior ITRC standings and will be eyeing up a top score should he finish the Circuit of Ireland’s challenging set of stages.
Photos:
COI24_EDWARDS_DH (by D Harrigan Images): Matt Edwards and David Moynihan on their way to Circuit of Ireland victory 12 months ago.
Adam Hall, ITRC Press Officer