Motorsport: Moffett rivalry has stood the test of time

THE MOFFET BOYS: Sam Moffett (right) and his younger brother Josh. Pic: Martin Walsh.

A sibling rivalry that began many years ago continues with the passage of time in the changing dynamic of Irish rallying. 

Even before they began rallying, Monaghan’s Sam Moffett (34) and his younger brother Josh (31) were squaring up to each other. 

“We were competing against each other in Track Association races when I was fourteen, we were in Vauxhall Nova’s.” said Sam, who is one of a select few drivers to have won the Irish Tarmac, National and Forest Rally championships in the same season - 2017.

He steered a Citroen C2 R2 in Junior rallying before progressing to a Mitsubishi Lancer E9 in late 2009. For his part, Josh, who began piloting a Peugeot 106 before moving on to a Mitsubishi Lancer E9 in 2011, is a triple National champion, a Tarmac champion and a double Forest champion.

Naturally, it took a while before the pair were at the same level, as Sam explained. 

“I had a few years’ experience under my belt but once Josh became familiar with his car, we had some great battles, particularly in forest events like the Bushwhacker, the Lakelands and Willie Loughman, Josh won that one (Willie Loughman) by six tenths of a second, we were in Fiesta R5’s, then I won the Cork “20” to clinch the Tarmac Championship.” 

They also were equally competitive in World Rally cars.

On Sunday they compete in the Garahy Family Birr Rally, round three on the Triton Championship, a series where Sam reckons he enjoys a more intense rivalry than on the Tarmac series where he has the likes of Keith Cronin, Matt Edwards and Callum Devine as well as Josh to contend with. 

“I probably have more interest now than I've had in a while, to be honest. I am due an engine upgrade for the Hyundai that will give me more torque, but that won’t be ‘till after Sunday’s event, that should get me closer. I just don’t know if I can compete with Josh on bone-dry roads.” 

Sam and Josh have a win apiece in the current Triton campaign. 

The overflowing Birr entry also features Ballylickey’s Daniel Cronin (VW Polo GTi R5) and Donegal’s Declan Boyle (Citroen C3 Rally2). 

On his plans, Sam said: “Look, it's going to be dry, I'll drive to my notes, go as hard as I can. If I have a chance of racing Josh, I have to do something on the first two stages.” 

Others in the top ten are Tyrone’s Ryan Loughran (Ford Fiesta Rally2), Donegal’s David Kelly and Aidan Wray in a pair of VW Polo GTi R5’s and Cavan’s Gary Kiernan (Ford Fiesta Rally2).

Meanwhile, reigning Junior World Rally champion William Creighton (Ford Fiesta Rally2) returns to the World Rally Championship on this weekend’s Rally Croatia (Round 4) following some very solid performances in both the Irish Tarmac and British Rally Championships. 

The WRC2 marks a major step up the WR pyramid for the Moira driver and his co-driver Liam Regan. 

“We have had the benefit of more experience on asphalt it will feel more comfortable from the outset. 

"The WRC2 plan hasn’t changed though and we will continue to build experience and pace when we feel the time is right. Getting mileage at that level (WRC2) under our belt is important and certainly the focus.” 

Donegal’s Eamon Kelly and his Monaghan co-driver Conor Mohan contest the JWRC section in a Ford Fiesta Rally3. Wexford’s Eamon Boland and co-driver Mick Morrissey (Ford Fiesta Rally2) are also competing on the three-day event.

WR championship leader Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20 Rally1) leads Welsh ace Elfyn Evans (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) by six points. 

Eight-time WRC champion Sebastien Ogier (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) on a partial WR programme, was quickest in yesterday’s shakedown, 0.7s ahead of Evans