Motorsport: Carlow start for Michael Boyle as he still eyes national championship

The Carlow event also gives Boyle the opportunity to get valuable seat time ahead of next month's Donegal International Rally.

Donegal's Michael Boyle (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) hoping to return to winning ways on Sunday's Carlow Rally, the third round of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship. Picture: Martin Walsh.

Donegal's Michael Boyle (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) has experienced the highs and lows of rallying over the past eight months and as the Triton Showers returns to action on Sunday with the Carlow Rally, the Lettermacaward driver will begin to cut a 34 points deficit to series leader and four-time national champion, Monaghan's Josh Moffett (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2).

His participation in the nine-stage Carlow event is two-fold as it also offers him - like many others - the opportunity to get valuable seat time ahead of next month's Donegal International Rally. Wins on the Wexford Rally last September (his first success), the Cork '20' Rally (first in a round of the Tarmac Championship) and the Fastnet Rally (his first national round win) were milestone occasions. All three in sharp contrast to this season with non-finishes in the Galway International, the Mayo Rally and the West Cork Rally. 

His first finish of the season was on the recent Rally of the Lakes in Killarney where he finished sixth - sandwiched between his younger brother Matthew and their father Declan, both also in Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 cars with an almost identical livery that will have different colour roof skins for Donegal.

Family honour is part of every rally occasion. "It's good craic, Matthew had it in Killarney which was great to see, he didn't beat just me and Dad, there were other more experienced lads as well. We look after each other and do the best we can, we chat about it on the phone going up the road."

Of course he would like to win a national championship - something that Declan has achieved three times (2013, 2014 and 2018) 

"When I got the Skoda and after Cavan where I had an accident, I was building it (pace) up and then when it all clicked we got those wins. I still believe that on a given day and when it clicks, we won't be far away. Carlow and the Circuit of Munster are shakedowns for Donegal but it is important to get as many points as possible for the national as well." 

He can count all six remaining rounds (including Carlow) for his title bid.

Championship leader Moffett is the top seed in Carlow with Ballylickey's Daniel Cronin, who won the event last time, amongst the withdrawals. Michael Boyle will follow Moffett off the start line. Longford's Shane Quinn (Ford Fiesta Rally2), while a relatively newcomer within the Rally2 category, has shown he's not out of place and is only two points behind Moffett.

The Donegal trio of Declan and Matthew Boyle and Kevin Eves, all in Skoda's and Tyrone's Cathan McCourt, also in the Czech marque illustrate the competitive nature of the entry where Welsh driver Meirion (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) and Tyrone's Jason Dickson (Ford Fiesta Rally2) complete the top ten seeded drivers. Donegal's Kevin Gallagher (Darrian T90 GTR) heads the modified category with Tyrone's Frank Kelly spearheading the Mk2 Challenge contenders. The first stage starts at 10.00am.

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Irish rallying is mourning the sudden and untimely loss of Tipperary driver John Hackett, who passed away last Saturday. He transcended the politics of motorsport and was a true motorsport person. Helpful and encouraging, it was a pleasure to be in his company. A regular reader of this newspaper he always acknowledged and appreciated its motorsport coverage. His warm welcoming smile at rallies throughout the country, whether as a competitor, official or spectator, was one of his trademarks. Aside from rallying where he drove Fiat 128 3P, Renault 16 TS, various Minis including the distinctive Marcos Mini GT, John also competed in Hillclimbs. One of life's true gentlemen, he is survived by his wife Jo, son Michael, daughter Lisa, extended family and a wide motorsport community. May he Rest in Peace.

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Meanwhile, in motor racing, the Bishopscourt Motor Races (Saturday and Sunday) has an array of classes in what is a packed programme of events at the Bishopscourt circuit near Downpatrick, County Down. With renovations over the past few years, the circuit has become the fastest in Irish motor racing. Indeed, last year Cian Carey, steering his Formula Boss Dallara F320, set a new course record of one minute 01.352 seconds. Some of the other principal classes this weekend are Formula Vee Ireland, Formula Sheane, Seat Supercup Ireland, Strykers and Formula Ford 1600. Qualifying will dominate Saturday's schedule with most of the racing on Sunday.