Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally Day 1 Update

The Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally 2026 got underway with two night stages, the first of which started in Clonakilty town centre. A very large crowd gathered to watch the 155 strong main field leave the start line at the bottom of McCurtain Hill in what was a perfect clear night for rallying. At the end of the two stages at Clonakilty and Rossmore, its Josh Moffett & Andy Hayes who lead the way in their Toyota Yaris Rally 2 after going fastest on both stages. Eddie Doherty and Tom Murphy (Skoda Fabia Rally 2) are currently in second place just 2.2 seconds behind.

Pre event favourites Callum Devine & Noel O’Sullivan struggled with launch control issues but still managed to hold third place overnight. Sam Touzel & Max Freeman from Jersey on their first attempt at West Cork hold an excellent fourth, just ahead of David Kelly and Shane Buckley's Skoda Fabia Rally 2. Cal McCarthy & Eric Calnan are top local crew in tenth place. A trio of Darrian’s in the hands of Rhys Davies, John Dalton and Kenneth Cullinane lead the modified category with Cullinane losing valuable seconds with a spin on the opening stage.

The action restarts tomorrow morning just after 9am with the classic Ring stage. Kilbrittain, Dunworley and Clogagh are also on the menu for tomorrow with eight stages in total. The historic field will join the action on the opening test at Ring. With the event being the second round of the NAPA Autoparts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, the pace should be hot on tomorrows stages. The first car is due back at Parc Ferme before 6pm tomorrow.