Bumper entry expected for Circuit of Kerry

Bumper entry expected for Circuit of Kerry

Keith Moriarty and Josh Moffett at the finish ramp of  Sunday’s Jeremy O’Connor Longford Arms Hotel Rally are likely to be the top seed for the Circuit of Kerry. Photo: Lorna Kennedy

Sunday’s Jeremy O’Connor Longford Arms Hotel Rally gave a fair indication to the level of coemption that can be expected in Tralee for the Circuit of Kerry later this month.

The Kerry Motor Club event on March 30 is the second round of the Triton Showers Motorsport Ireland National Rally Championship.

In championship terms, the story of the day was Josh Moffett and co-driver Keith Moriarty’s strong start to their Triton Showers Motorsport Ireland National Rally Championship defence.

Moffett and Moriarty, driving a Citroen C3 Rally2, secured third overall and took maximum championship points as the top two drivers were not registered for championship points.

The Monaghan driver is chasing an unprecedented fifth title in a row.

He and Moriarty confirmed that they will place an entry for the Circuit of Kerry.

Desi Henry and Shane Byrne were fourth overall and second in the championship race in another Citroen on Sunday.

“It will be my first time at the Circuit of Kerry,” said Henry “I hear it’s a good rally with classic stages.”

Sam Moffett and his new Kerry co-driver, Shane Buckley (Hyundai) are also planning a trip to the Kingdom.  

Johno Doogan and Paul Lennon were the leading Ford Escort crew in Longford. They finished second overall on the Kerry Winter Rally last November and are looking forward to another visit to the Kingdom later this month.

Overseas interest includes Hugh Hunter from North Wales who is making his first appearance in Kerry since 2014.

The Rose Hotel Circuit of Kerry is also round two of the  new -for-2025 Dacia Sandero Cup one-make championship and ten entries are expected in Tralee thanks to support from Ahern’s Garage Castleisland – the local Dacia dealer.