The Irish Tarmac Rally Championship is perfectly poised heading to its biggest event of the year, round five, the Donegal International Rally.
Several crews have staked a strong claim on the coveted Irish Tarmac title but last year’s champions, Josh Moffett and Andy Hayes, have consistently recorded podium finishes to once again lead the championship heading to Donegal.
Driving the same Hyundai i20 R5 that brought them success on the Donegal International Rally 12 months ago, Moffett and Hayes have only managed one victory from the ITRC’s first four rounds.
A repeat of Moffett’s dramatic Donegal win this time around would make him a strong favourite for his third Irish Tarmac title.
Managing to do the Donegal double is not going to be simple, however. Especially with 2022’s long-term rally leader, Callum Devine, coming into form at a dangerous time in the season.
Robert Barrable is a dark horse who could well spring a surprise this weekend. The Dubliner has adjusted well to his Citroen C3 Rally2 – narrowly missing out on victories in West Cork and Killarney.
Previous Donegal Rally winners, Sam Moffett, Garry Jennings, and Declan Boyle, have shown glimpses of their spine-tingling speed this year and join a host of top names capable of winning Ireland’s only three-day rally.
As always, there is a strong Monaghan contingent making the trip to the hills for the monument of Irish motorsport.
Brendan Cumiskey is entered in his Polo R5, with Paul Barrett contesting in Citroen C3 Rally2. Arthur Kierans is back alongside Ryan Caldwell in their Skoda Fabia R5.
If there is ever a rally where modifieds come to the fore, it has to be Donegal. The two-wheel-drive competition always goes up a level at the Donegal International Rally.
Fresh from victory at the Laois Heartlands Rally, Eddie Doherty and Killian McArdle have performed incredibly well in his Ford Escort MKII. Their string of top finishes puts them in a threatening position to clinch this year’s modified title. They are seeded just behind Daniel McKenna and Andrew Grennan.
Moffett brothers Richard and David are rarely far from the pace and will also be contesting for victory in their Toyota Starlets. Darragh Kelly and Martin Connolly are the respective co-drivers. John McQuaid and Thomas Treanor will be another local crew fighting it out in Class 14. Kiane Treanor and Piaras O’Ceallachain will also be on the notes in the fastest modified section.
James McCarville is entered in a Class 13 Escort, Micky Conlon and Domhnall Lennon are in Class 12 and Anthony Hand and Peter Deery will be fighting in Class 11F.
The Rally4 category has been one of the best classes in the 2023 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. With seven or eight potential winners on each Irish Tarmac event, it is no wonder that there have been four different victors so far this year. It will be the home event for Dylan Eves, who has Ryan Farrell on the notes once again. The crew will be hoping to build on their consistent run of form so far this year.
Jason and Daniel McConnon will go to Donegal in their Peugeot 208 R2.
18 Junior crews are set to take on the Donegal International Rally this year. Junior BRC frontrunner Kyle McBride is seeded at the front ahead of Gary Cassidy and Gary McCrudden.
Jack McKenna has been the man to beat in Class 16 at a number of rallies this year and he is seeded number four.
With a number of drivers all in the junior championship mix and ready for a Donegal challenge – it should be an interesting battle over Sunday’s famous stages.
County Monaghan Motor Club 