Kerry teenager Joey McElligott confirmed for Hot Rod World Cup
Listowel’s Joey McElligott is set to compete on the world stage later this year after officially securing a spot in the One-litre Spedworth World Cup.
The teenager finished second when Rosegreen’s Tipperary Raceway hosted the last World Cup in October.
This week it was confirmed that the result qualifies him for the 2026 World Cup final which is expected to be held in either South Africa or the Netherlands toward the end of the year.
The racing takes place on a quarter-mile tarmac oval circuit, similar to a small-scale NASCAR track.
Joey competes in the Junior A class, which is restricted to 10 to 15-year-olds driving modified one-litre Nissan Micras.
While the result was subject to various post-race reviews and appeals, the placings have now been finalised and the Kerry driver’s world ranking is confirmed.
McElligott’s progress in motorsport has been rapid. He only began racing in 2022, starting out in rally sprints at Watergrasshill.
In 2023, he joined the ranks at Tipperary Raceway, the closest oval track to his Listowel home, competing in the Junior B class.
In his first full year of competition, he was named Driver of the Year. He moved up to the faster Junior A class for 2024, finishing fourth overall, before qualifying for the World Cup final in 2025.
He comes from a family with deep roots in local racing. His grandfather, Tom McElligott, is still competing at the age of 74. His father, Mike, and uncle, John, are also well-known racers with several Irish Open Championship titles between them.
He will continue to race at Tipperary Raceway throughout the 2026 season as he prepares for his first trip abroad to represent Ireland.
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