Irish crews pack out Rally Anglo Caledonian
Irish competitors to make up strong entry in Scottish Borders
A star-studded entry from Ireland will feature in this year’s Rally Anglo Caledonian, running in the Scottish Borders forests on November 20 and 21.
Event organisers are hoping to attract further entries from across the Irish Sea for the end-of-season two-day event, which covers 115 stage miles across Kielder and Scottish border stages.
Irish crews will join an impressive line-up of 11 crews already entered from both sides of the border. Among them is 20-year-old Kalum Graffin, gaining seat time in his Ford Fiesta Rally3 following a season in the European Rally Championship.
Leading Rally2 entries include the Hyundai of 2024 Anglo Caledonian winner Alan Carmichael, the Skoda Fabia Rally2s of Niall McGonigle and Vivian Hamill, and the Ford Fiesta Rally2 of Brendan Cumiskey. Barry McKenna will also make his first rally appearance of the season, debuting a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.
Two-wheel drive entries from Ireland feature Jason Black in his 2.5-litre Toyota Starlet, following a seventh-place overall finish at the Ulster Rally in August. Paul McErlean brings a 2.5-litre Ford Escort Mk2, while historic competitor Damien Tourish will run his Ford Escort Mk2 in pursuit of the overall British Historic Rally Championship title.
The event has also drawn entries from Spain, Italy, and Belgium, alongside competitors from England, Scotland, and Wales.
Rally manager Colin Heppenstall welcomed the strong response from Irish teams.
“We are absolutely thrilled with the response from Irish crews for Rally Anglo Caledonian,” Heppenstall said. “We have space for more and we would welcome any further entries. The Irish crews can be assured a warm welcome, some great stages and a compact two-day event giving the longest gravel rally in the UK and Ireland this year.”
Based at Carlisle Lake District Airport, the event covers 53 stage miles on Friday afternoon and evening, followed by 62 stage miles on Saturday. The route visits forest stages in Kielder, Castle O’er, and Twiglees, and features an 18-mile stage in Kershope on Saturday. Crews experiencing issues on Friday will be permitted to restart on Saturday.
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