NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship
By Adam Hall
The 50th Modern Tyres Ulster Rally arrives at a critical juncture for the NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, with Josh Moffett and Andy Hayes leading a strong field of competitors on the Ballymena-based event.
Championship leader Moffett heads the entry in his Toyota Yaris Rally2, eight points clear at the top with just two rounds remaining. The eight-point cushion over Eddie Doherty provides a bit of breathing room, but with action on epic stages like Torr Head, Glendun, and Cairncastle set to decide this weekend’s spoils, it is going to be a proper Irish Tarmac test.
The Toyota duo arrive at the Ulster in top form after winning Sunday’s Monaghan Stages Rally and will be keen to add the Ulster to their extensive list of rally wins.
Moffett’s rivals are poised for a final push before September’s Cork 20 Rally finale. Eddie Doherty and Tom Murphy arrive as genuine title contenders after their remarkable consistency throughout the season. The Kilkenny crew have yet to win a round in 2026, but a constant string of podium finishes demonstrates the class that has kept them in the hunt for a maiden ITRC title.
Circuit of Ireland Rally winner David Kelly is always a challenger, his breakthrough victory at the Circuit proving he can perform under pressure when it counts and deliver a result on Northern Irish terrain.
Desi Henry, Cathan McCourt, and Sam Touzel all feature this weekend, bringing a mix of Ford and Skoda machinery to the County Antrim countryside. Jersey’s Touzel has impressed throughout his Irish Tarmac adventure with consistent pace and stylish driving that has caught the imagination of spectators.
Recently crowned six-time Northern Ireland Rally Championship winner Jonny Greer returns to Irish Tarmac competition in his Yaris Rally2, bringing home knowledge to the event.
Ryan Loughran is another Ulster-based competitor that will be eyeing up a podium finish.
McEvoy Motorsport & Flat 2 The Hat Modified ITRC
Mitsubishi man Tomas O’Rourke holds a commanding 19-point lead in the McEvoy Motorsport & Flat 2 The Hat Modified ITRC over Mac Walsh entering Ulster. O’Rourke’s early-season dominance has proved difficult to challenge, though Walsh’s recent fightback has kept the title race alive entering the final two rounds.
Geoffrey Dolan, Darrel Quinn, and Andrew Mackarel have all entered ITRC’s latest round and are joined by challengers from previous years.
Toyota Starlet brothers Jason and Gareth Black are among the top-seeded two-wheel-drive contenders, along with Oban’s Stewart Morrison.
Wales Motorsport Historic ITRC
Killinchy’s Stanley Orr tops the Ulster Rally’s historic entry, driving a Ford Escort RS1600 alongside Paul McCann.
Former Wales Motorsport Historic ITRC frontrunner Trevor Wilson brings his beautiful BMW M3 to the north-east while championship leader Ronan Campbell will seek to extend his advantage aboard a Ford Escort RS1800.
Ballymena local Jimmy Mills pilots another Escort, as does Ballymoney’s John Adams. Another Historic ITRC contender, Andy Johnston, has entered his home round in the fabulous Vauxhall Chevette.
The FIA European Historic Rally Championship will also feature at this year’s Ulster Rally, adding international significance to the historic category battle.
Paul Browne Plant Hire & Civil Engineering Junior ITRC
In the Paul Browne Junior ITRC, Darragh Walsh and Gary Lombard will take on their title rivals Aaron and Caolan Reid this weekend in a battle of the Honda Civics.
A single point separates them in the championship battle, making this a crucial rally with only two rounds remaining.
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