NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship
A top-class entry will kick off the 2025 NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship on the West Cork Rally. Three days of ultimate asphalt rallying starts on Friday 14th March with 18 quality stages awaiting the 138 mainfield crews.
Keith Cronin and Mikie Galvin top West Cork Rally’s entry list contenders but the Cork-Kerry crew face stiff opposition to defend both their 2024 West Cork Rally win and their Irish Tarmac title.
Hot off the back of a strong runner-up finish on the Midland Stages Rally, Matt Edwards returns for a second attempt at the Irish Tarmac title. Podiums in West Cork, Killarney, and the Cork 20 along with winning the Circuit of Ireland proved Edwards and David Moynihan as a true Irish Tarmac contender. His Donegal demons continued last June after dropping out of a rally-long lead with five stages to go. Edwards’ return in 2025 will be followed with great interest especially as he looks to prove the pace of Hyundai’s Rally2 i20.
Two-time Irish Tarmac Champions Josh Moffett and Andy Hayes will be looking to bounce back from a challenging Irish Tarmac campaign in 2024. Moffett is hoping to find the same post-covid dominance he displayed in the unlikely Hyundai i20 R5 as he continues to get to grips with Citroen’s equivalent.
With Jon Armstrong, Eddie Doherty, and Cathan McCourt also in the mix, those heading to West Cork’s St. Patrick’s weekend spectacular will be treated to a memorable Irish Tarmac encounter.
Fresh from the Midland Stages Rally, Daniel Cronin and Father-Son rivals Declan and Michael Boyle also feature in West Cork’s top ten Rally2 entries.
A trio of Ford Fiesta Rally3s driven by Shane Quinn, Casey Jay Coleman, and Richard O’Lone will do battle in West Cork while a tight Rally4 contest is also expected. Cian Caldwell, Kyle McBride, and Keelan Grogan all feature in Peugeot 208 Rally4s after strong starts to their seasons.
Aaron Browne, Kalum Graffin, Jack Brennan, and PJ McDermott Jnr extend Rally4’s competitive pack of entries.
McEvoy Motorsport Modified ITRC
Last year’s McEvoy Motorsport Modified ITRC title rivals Frank Kelly and Damien Toner lead West Cork’s modified entry. The Ford Escort Mk2 men went toe-to-toe on several events as their 2024 title race went down to the final round. Another intriguing duel in West Cork is well on the cards.
Adrian Hetherington, JF Shovelin, and Padraig Egan add further Class 14 Mk2 Escort interest as Kevin Kelleher, Vincent O’Shea, and 2022 McEvoy Motorsport Modified ITRC champion Simon Reid will also be vying for West Cork honours.
Wales Motorsport Fabrication Historic ITRC
Reigning Wales Motorsport Historic ITRC champion and current championship leader Tomas Davies tops a strong field of 18 Historic cars heading to Clonakilty. Davies will face stiff opposition from another previous champion in Neil Williams who is set to be co-driven by Rosscarbery’s Eamon Hayes.
2024 title contender Ray Breen will bring his stunning Subaru Legacy to Historic ITRC’s second round. John O’Donnell and current co-driver championship leader Paddy Robinson are seeded fourth, three places ahead of fellow BMW M3 crew Fergus O’Meara and Anthony O’Sullivan.
Paul Browne Plant Hire & Civil Engineering Junior ITRC
Defending West Cork Junior winners Kyle Browne and Mark O’Leary lead a 12-car Junior field set to take on this year’s West Cork Rally.
Browne will face stiff opposition from the rapid Donegal-based crew of Ronan Dorrian and Mickey Joe Browne.
Jack Hallahan, Darragh Walsh, and Graham Roche complete the Junior’s top five entries.
Further information on the NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship can be found on their website.
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