Three members of the Bandon-based Seaman family to contest West Cork Rally
The Seaman family from Bandon is preparing for a significant home outing at the West Cork Rally over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
Three members of the family will be on the stages, a plan revealed during Sunday’s official launch at the Clonakilty Park Hotel.
Rising co-driver Daniel Seaman, aged 20, heads into the event with serious momentum. Following a standout performance at the Corrib Oil Galway International Rally, where he and driver David Herbert finished second in the Rally4 class, Daniel is firmly in the hunt for the NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. That event tested his technical skills through greasy conditions and mud, but the pair managed their pace to secure maximum championship points.
Daniel’s journey in the sport began in 2022 alongside his father, Gerard. He is now in his second full season, balancing his schedule with Automotive Management studies at MTU Cork and his role at the family dealership. Dan Seaman Motors on Forge Hill serves as the main dealer for Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Jeep, Leapmotor, Isuzu, and Subaru.
While Daniel is focused on the championship battle, the weekend will also see a special family debut.
Milly Jean Seaman, a student at Coláiste na Toirbhirte in Bandon, will make her first appearance in the co-driver’s seat. She will partner her father in a Ford Fiesta R2.
Gerard is a veteran of the sport who now limits his competitive outings to one or two local events a year to support his children’s careers.
Daniel is not resting before the March event. He is off to Sligo this weekend for the all-new Yeats Ridge Forestry Rally, the opening round of the Motorsport Ireland Forest Rally Championship. He will navigate for Kerry debutant Colin O’Meara in a Peugeot 208 R2.
“It will be a busy week, I am heading to Kerry on Wednesday to go over all the video of the stages before we head up the road, really looking forward to competing in what is a very full and competitive R2 class and will be great to see how we stack up against the junior contenders in this new event for everyone,” Daniel said.
The 2026 season is shaping up to be the most ambitious yet for the Bandon-based family, with Daniel also eyeing a potential international debut on an overseas event later this year.
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