Goodwood and global success for Irish drivers abroad

Goodwood And global success for Irish drivers abroad

Irish rally competitors made an impact across the world this weekend, securing victories and class wins from the South of England to Wales, Romania, and North America.

Goodwood Festival of Speed

At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Patrick O’Donovan led a large contingent of Irish drivers tackling the Forest Rally Stage. Steering a Hyundai i20 R5, O’Donovan claimed second place overall, missing out on the top spot by half a second.

Other Irish drivers on the loose surface stage included Richard O’Lone in a Ford Fiesta Rally3, Ollie O’Donovan in another Hyundai, and Pat Horan in a Lancia Ypsilon Rally4. Away from the gravel, Nicole Drought was in action on the hill climb element of the event.

Nicky Grist Stages

Jordan Hone made a successful return to the Welsh forestry of the Nicky Grist Stages, leading the event from start to finish to take the overall victory. Partnered by Sion Williams in a Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo, the reigning Northern Ireland Forest Rally Challenge champion secured the win on his first appearance at the Builth Wells event in ten years.

It proved to be a strong weekend for Irish crews in Wales. Vivian Hamill and Paddy Robinson finished sixth overall in their Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, one place ahead of Daniel O’Brien and Liam Regan in a Ford Fiesta Rally2. James McCarville and Arthur Kierans brought their Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 home in eighth, securing one of their best career results on gravel.

Paul Barrett and Gordon Noble won the two-wheel-drive category, finishing 12th overall in a Ford Escort RS2000 MkII. Gary Reidy and Michael Breen finished 16th in a Ford Fiesta Rally2.

Kerry Motorsport News-supported driver Oran England, co-driven by Paddy Heffernan, completed his first overseas gravel rally with second in class in a Peugeot 208 Rally4.

Raliul Sibiului Bilstein

In Romania, Mayo co-driver Lorcan Moore secured multiple class honours at the Raliul Sibiului Bilstein. Navigating for Reis Suliman in a Peugeot 208 Rally4, Moore guided the crew to 11th overall. The pair won the Romanian Front-Wheel Drive, Romanian Junior, Romania Gravel FWD, and Class RO4 categories.

Rocky Mountain National Rally

In Canada, Cork’s Bryan McCarthy competed at the Rocky Mountain National Rally in his McCarthy Motorsport Volkswagen Golf VI GTi, and finished eighth overall, and won the Novice class.

Jusema Rally Ukmergė

Limerick-based Canadian co-driver Betsy Nguyen competed in Lithuania for the first time at the Jusema Rally Ukmergė. Partnering Nolan Abell in a Škoda Fabia IV N5, Nguyen finished 26th overall and fourth in the LARČ5 class.

Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally

Irish co-driver Dillon McKenna secured an outright victory in America at the Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally in Pennsylvania. Navigating for Tom Mayer in a Subaru Impreza WRX, McKenna took the top spot after a competitive run through the forests. Fellow Irish competitor Niall Donnelly, partnered by Gage Gregory, finished sixth overall in a Subaru Impreza STi N12.

Rally Colorado

Looking ahead this weekend, Def Leppard drummer Vivian Campbell is entered in Rally Colorado. Campbell is one of the few Irish entries on the event and will drive a Mitsubishi Mirage RS Proto Evo III in the RC2 class.

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