Anthony O’Halloran leads the charge in Dacia Sandero Challenge Cup in Longford

Anthony O’Halloran leads the charge in Dacia Sandero Challenge Cup

Photo by Michael Chester

Clare rally legend Anthony O’Halloran heads the nine-car entry for the inaugural round of the 2025 Dacia Sandero Challenge Cup.

  The new one-make championship kicks off at the Jeremy O’Connor, Longford Arms Stages Rally on March 2nd.

O’Halloran, known for his prowess in iconic rally cars like the Manta 400, Mitsubishi Lancer E9, and Ford Escort, is the top seed in the ten-strong category. 

The Dacia crews will join the rally after the first service and tackle the final six stages.

Motorsport Ireland launched the Dacia Sandero Challenge Cup in December, with backing from Dacia through Cedar Motors Ltd. 

The affordable championship is designed to provide an entry point into stage rallying.  Competitors will drive near-standard 1.2-litre petrol Dacia Sanderos, built using a specific Dacia Sandero Rally Kit available exclusively from Murray Motorsport.

The championship runs alongside the Motorsport Ireland National Rally Championship, which begins with the Midland Stages Rally in Longford.

Dacia Sandero Challenge Cup crews will start each event after the first service, benefit from reduced entry fees, and compete in Class 23. 

All drivers will use Yokohama tyres and run at the back of the field in a dedicated group.

Dacia’s support through Cedar Motors Ltd. includes branded race suits, jackets, hats, an awning, banners, and groundsheets for those purchasing the Dacia Sandero Rally Kit and registering for the championship.

2025 Dacia Sandero Challenge Cup Entry List – Longford Arms Stages Rally

Car No.               Driver   Co. Driver          County               Car        Class

D1         Anthony O’Halloran   Declan O’Regan           Co. Clare           Dacia Sandero              23

D2         Nicholas Mulhall         TBA       Co. Kildare       Dacia Sandero              23

D3         Oscar Mangan              Elva Roe            Co. Westmeath             Dacia Sandero              23

D4         Caolan Doyle Rory Doyle       Co. Armagh     Dacia Sandero              23

D5         Cillian Doherty              Tommy Cuddihy           Co. Kilkenny    Dacia Sandero              23

D6         Evan Stapleton             Michael Brennan         Co. Kilkenny    Dacia Sandero              23

D7         Diarmuid O’Toole        Barry Murphy Co. Wexford    Dacia Sandero              23

D8         Denis Ferry      Matthew Ferry                Co. Donegal    Dacia Sandero              23

D9         William Nolan                TBA       Co. Cork            Dacia Sandero              23

---

---