Patrick O'Brien bags Omagh five-in-a-row on return from Perth

Jason Mitchell claims overall Forest Rally Championship with round to spare

Mon, 22 Sep, 2025 - 08:05

Martin Walsh

Former Irish Forest Rally champion Patrick O'Brien, who had journeyed from Perth, racked up a fifth consecutive victory on the Omagh-based McKelvey Construction Bushwhacker Rally with aplomb.

His arch- and only real rival, Cathan McCourt, (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) bowed out with wheel damage on the final stage, but O'Brien, who was co-driven by his brother Stephen, had already built up a 23.7s advantage and was on course for yet another victory. In the end, the O'Brien brothers finished one minute and 57.6s clear of the Skoda Fabia RS Rally 2 of their fellow Ulster crew Conor McCourt/Caolan McKenna.

Another crew in celebratory mode were Jason Mitchell/Paddy McCrudden (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2), who took maximum points to clinch the Sligo Pallets Irish Forest Rally Championship with the luxury of one remaining round.

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of this iconic event, dubbed the "Omagh Grand Prix", the organisers included four night stages (on Friday) as part of the itinerary. O'Brien was quick into the groove on the first pass over the seven-mile Lough Bradan stage where he enjoyed an 8.9s lead over Conor McCourt.

It wasn't the McCourt brother that O'Brien had expected to be his closest challenger. That should have been Cathan, who last year only lost out by a mere 0.7s. However, he spun and stalled his Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 to finish the stage in third place, 10.7s off top spot. Ballygawley's Vivian Hamill (Ford Fiesta Rally2) was fourth as all the drivers commented on the slippery nature of the stage.

"We had no issues apart from a sensor today," said O'Brien whose water pressure gauge was high. "It was just over the finish line so we were able to get it sorted at service. I think we had the measure of everyone. The boys in 317 Motorsport did a fantastic job setting up the car, it was perfect. It's great to win for a fifth time, I want six now so I'll be back again."

For Victoria Bridge driver Mitchell and his Donegal co-driver McCrudden, their principal objective was to ensure a finish that would be enough to annex the Sligo Pallets Irish Forest series.

They eventually finished in eighth place and wrapped up the Sligo Pallets series, finishing ahead of Mackarel and Dickson, who were tenth and twelfth respectively.

"That was the hardest rally I ever did," said Mitchell. "I knew what I had to do, I couldn't be taking any chances and it was difficult to get into a rhythm. I'm (47), no spring chicken, and it was important to win a championship. For the final round (Donegal) I can go on full attack."

McKelvey Construction Bushwhacker Rally (Sligo Pallets Irish Forest Rally Championship/Brown & Brown Northern Ireland Gravel Rally Challenge) Omagh:

1. P. O'Brien/S. O'Brien (Skoda Fabia R5) 55m. 33.2s; 2. C. McCourt/C. McKenna (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+1m. 57.6s; 3. D. Cairns/M. Preston (VW Polo GTi R5)+2m. 21.7s; 4. G. Mimnagh/J Barry McCarney (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+2m. 25.2s; 5. D. Kelly/S. Buckley (VW Polo GTi R5)+2m. 28.5s; 6. N. McCullagh/M. Brady (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+2m. 56.5s; 7. J. Hone/P. Hone (Ford Fiesta R5)+3m. 15.7s; 8. J. Mitchell/P. McCrudden (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+3m. 37.6s; 9. B. Cumiskey/A. Kierans (VW Polo GTi R5)+3m. 59.9ss; 10. D. Mackarel/E. Creedon (Ford Fiesta R5)+4m. 23.7s.