Motorsport: O’Brien seeking a hat-trick of Bushwhacker wins

Omagh's Patrick O'Brien (Skoda Fabia R5) seeking a hat-trick of wins on his home event, the McKelvey Asbestos Bushwhacker Rally, often dscribed as “Omagh Grand Prix.” Picture: Martin Walsh.

Affectionately known as the “Omagh Grand Prix” the McKelvey Bushwhacker Rally is the blue riband of gravel rallying in Ireland and one that every driver wants to win. Based in Omagh, it begins this Friday evening with two stages in darkness - for the first time in decades - with a further six stages on Saturday as local ace Patrick O’Brien goes in search of a hat-trick of wins.

“I think the main reason why everyone wants to win the Bushwhacker is because of its heritage. It’s extremely fast, I think it’s the quickest gravel rally in Ireland,” commented O’Brien. Last year, the reigning Irish forest rally champion had just 2.5s to spare over fellow Omagh driver Cathan McCourt and the previous year the pair were separated by 7.8s.