Josh Moffett targets historic fourth national title

Monaghan's Josh Moffett (Citroen C3 Rally2) is the top seed for the Mayo Rally that marks the beginning of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship. Picture: Martin Walsh.

Motorsport

A new season of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship unfolds on Sunday with the Ballina-based Mayo Rally. Top seed and defending champion Monaghan’s Josh Moffett is one of three drivers to have won the national series on three occasions and could become the first to win four titles - three in successive years. 

Moffett, who will campaign the Citroen C3 Rally2 he debuted in the Galway International Rally, scarcely needs any further motivation. “My intention is to do the full championship, but I will have to see how the year progresses, but starting out, yes, that’s the plan.” 

The switch from Hyundai to the Citroen in Galway wasn’t seamless, indeed, it was never expected to be the case. “It’s hard to know how long it will take to get settled into the car, some of the times in Galway weren’t too bad, different circumstances, different weather conditions, it takes time to adapt to each of these things, but hopefully, not too long.” 

On his chances over the eight-stage encounter in Mayo he added, “The top ten are all good drivers, the top five have all won events, Sam (Moffett) and Desi (Henry) punched in some good times in Galway, I think it will be interesting.” 

Showing similar speed to Moffett in Galway, Desi Henry, also in a Citroen C3 Rally2, outlined his plans. “Due to work commitments I am struggling to get away and I won’t be doing the West Cork Rally.’ The Derry driver added, “I will start the national championship in Mayo and then Monaghan and see how that goes. The national series has a good format and it suits me at the moment. Looking at the DVD it seems a difficult rally. I was happy with my pace in Galway and since then we have made some improvements to the car. Conditions will probably be similar but we’ll give it a go.” 

Former national champion Sam Moffett (Hyundai i20 Rally2) has intimated his plan to contest the series for the first time in a few seasons while Donegal’s Declan Boyle (Citroen C3 Rally2), one of the other triple national winners, will have to get closer to the pace of those ahead of him to stay in the equation.

Buoyed by his pace at the latter end of 2023, Ballylickey’s Daniel Cronin (VW Polo GTi R5) will have to bring his Fastnet Rally form to the table in Mayo and is certainly capable of matching his rivals.

Others like Donegal’s Michael Boyle (VW Polo GTi R5), Dunmanway’s David Guest (Ford Fiesta Rally2) and Longford’s Tommy Doyle (Hyundai i20 R5) will have aspirations of a top-five finish. Kilkenny’s Eddie Doherty (Skoda Fabia R5) and Cavan’s Gary Kiernan (Ford Fiesta Rally2) round off the top ten.

The principals in the two-wheel drive category include Donegal’s Mark Alcorn and Damien Tourish both in Ford Escorts. Elsewhere the entry features Paul Barrett (Citroen C3 Rally2) along with former national champions Meath’s Tim McNulty (VW Polo GTi R5) and Monaghan’s Niall Maguire (Citroen C3 Rally2), the first driver to win three national titles.

The first stage (Brackwansha) starts at 9.09am.

The Motor Sport Council passed a number of rule changes (4) at its meeting last Tuesday night. Rally organisers will now have the option of a 10% increase in the number of entries for events subject to certain conditions. Broadly speaking, international events can start 176 crews, national 165 and mini stages 154.