Matt Edwards denied Donegal International Rally debut win after stunning Irish Tarmac performance

Matt Edwards made one of the most incredible maiden appearances in the 50-year history of the Donegal International Rally (17-19 June) when he challenged for victory from the start, only to retire from the lead of the event just four stages from the end of the three-day, 20 stage and 187 stage mile classic.

Matt had taken a 19.2 second lead going into SS17, which was the first run over the famous Atlantic Drive stage, when his Pirelli-shod Citroën C3 R5 left the road – the cause of which isn’t determined.

Triple British champion Matt Edwards to make Donegal International Rally debut in a Citroën C3 R5

Triple British Rally champion Matt Edwards will contest the Donegal International Rally (17-19 June) for the first time in a Pirelli-shod Citroën C3 R5.

It will be the Colwyn Bay-based driver’s first rally in a modern state-of-the-art four-wheel drive car since he won the 2021 British title on last year’s Ulster Rally in a Volkswagen Polo GTI R5.

Matt has never driven a Citroën C3 R5 before and this ex-Mads Østberg example is on loan from Darren Gass.

Matt will be co-driven by David Moynihan. Whilst they have never competed together before, they have developed a good working relationship whilst working with Pirelli in this year’s Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. David has also been instrumental in putting the deal to do Donegal together.

“I’ve never been to the Donegal Rally before, not even to watch, but having worked with Pirelli in this year’s Irish Tarmac Rally Championship I know what an important event it is and how highly regarded it is held in Irish motorsport,” says Matt.

Kelly aims for Irish Tarmac Rally Championship success in 2022

Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver David Kelly will embark on a season in the highly acclaimed Irish Tarmac Rally Championship in 2022, driving his Glebe Builders backed Ford Fiesta R5.

Kelly, just 26 years old from Donegal and co-driver Dean O’Sullivan will tackle seven rounds of the all-asphalt calendar, starting with this weekend’s Galway International Rally [5-6 February].

Mixed emotions for Meirion Evans after second place in Wexford

It speaks volumes for his driving ability and competitive nature that Meirion Evans feels slightly disappointed to have finished second on an Irish rally and beaten only by a top local driver – but that’s what the 26-year old Lampeter-born driver felt after finishing runner-up on the Wexford Rally in his Scan Station-backed Volkswagen Polo GTI R5.

Meirion Evans sets his sights on 2022 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship assault in Volkswagen Polo GTI R5

Meirion Evans has his sights set on next year’s Irish Tarmac Rally Championship (ITRC) following a successful return to competition in Ireland on the recent Cork 20 international in his Scan Station-backed Volkswagen Polo GTI R5.

The 26-year old Lampeter-born driver is enjoying one of his best rally seasons this year, having won both the Argyll Rally in Scotland and the Three Shires Rally in England, finished second on the Cork 20 International Rally in Ireland and third on the Rallye Du Boulonnais in France.

Cancellation of 2021 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship

The Tarmac Rally Organisers’ Association can confirm that this year’s Irish Tarmac Rally Championship will not take place. The decision was made by TROA’s board of directors in light of ongoing government restrictions to deal with Covid-19 in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

EDSL Sport announce new-look squad for West Cork

Official M-Sport Ford re-sellers EDSL Sport will have a new look to its line-up as it heads to round two of the Junior British Rally Championship, the Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally this weekend (14/15 March).

After a confidence-boosting fifth place on his Junior BRC debut at the opening round in Wales last month, reigning Cadet Cup champion Rupert Flynn returns for the gruelling closed-road event on the west Ireland coast. He will be joined for the first time by Dublin based Eamonn Kelly who makes his BRC debut after a season in the Irish National Rally Championship.

Proton Iriz R5 set for West Cork Rally assault

A brace of four Proton Iriz R5’s will tackle this weekend’s Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally with Ollie Mellors leading the way at the second round of the British Rally Championship in Ireland (14/15 March).

After taking the Iriz to its first-ever Irish podium at the Birr Stages Rally a fortnight ago, Mellors and co-driver Max Freeman will be aiming for a solid BRC result, adding to Mellors’ fourth place at the series opener in Wales as the Proton brand returned to the BRC for the first time since 2016.

Retson seeks points more than prizes in West Cork

Scottish rally driver Finlay Retson will head to the Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally in Ireland this weekend (14/15 March) in the quest for a solid result in the Junior British rally Championship after taking a career-best second place at the opening round last month.

The 19-year-old will be battling for Junior BRC honours in his JSR Services – Blairgowrie and DJR Services backed M-Sport Ford Fiesta R2 as the series makes it first foray of the season onto the asphalt.

Lewis looks for a solid score in West Cork

Junior British Rally Championship contender Eddie Lewis will be aiming to build on his opening round result as the series heads to Ireland this weekend for the Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally (14/15 March).

Lewis, 18 from Newark secured a confidence-boosting fourth place in the North Wales forests of the Cambrian Rally in February, narrowly missing out on a podium by just 0.7 seconds on the final stage of the rally.