Josh Moffett left with no room for error in Circuit of Munster
Monaghan's Josh Moffett (Citroen C3 Rally2) is the top seed for Sunday's Lyons of Limerick Circuit of Munster Rally, round five of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship on Sunday. Picture: Martin Walsh.
Reigning Triton Showers National Rally champion Monaghan’s Josh Moffett (Citroen C3 Rally2) has no room for error as he seeks a third straight national title and an unprecedented fourth crown ahead of this Sunday’s Lyons of Limerick Circuit of Munster Rally, the fifth of the eight round campaign.
With two wins and two non-finishes from the previous four rounds, results from the remaining events including the nine-stage Circuit of Munster, will all count towards his title retention in a series based on the best six from eight events.
Moffett knows it’s a crucial juncture. “I guess so, with two non-finishes it is important that my main target is to finish the events from here on in, but equally, we will need to be doing good in them.”
The sharp end of the Limerick entry is a mix of championship contenders and some Irish Tarmac Championship regulars utilising the rally as a shakedown ahead of the forthcoming Donegal International Rally. Moffett has a clear focus.
“I think I just need to concentrate on my own pace and drive to what I am comfortable with, we’ll see where the result comes after that, obviously, we will push on where we are happy to, but equally we need to get a finish.”
Moffett and his older brother Sam, who leads the national series, are both set to compete in Donegal. “Yes, Sam and myself are both doing Donegal, I am looking forward to that and while it will be in the back of my mind, I will need to concentrate on the rally at hand this weekend.”
Josh trails his brother by 15 points. Sam (Hyundai i20 Rally2) has a three-point lead over Carlow Rally winner Daniel Cronin (VW Polo GTi R5), with the constantly improving Kilkenny driver Eddie Doherty (Skoda Fabia R5) two points further behind.
Sam Moffett had the ability to stay ahead of the pack but knows it will take maximum effort and concentration as Cronin will bring a strong degree of confidence from what was his first ever national round victory and both himself and Doherty will be expected to push the Moffett duo. The addition of Derry duo Callum Devine (VW Polo GTi R5) and Desi Henry (Citroen C3 Rally2) adds a competitive spark.
Meanwhile, in Rally Italia Sardegna, round six of the World Rally Championship, Irish drivers William Creighton (Ford Fiesta Rally2) and Josh McErlean (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) are part of a very competitive entry in the WRC2 category. McErlean is expected to build on his podium finish last time out in Portugal. Based in Alghero, the extremely hot temperatures, rough roads with a soft sandy surface provide a major challenge. Belgian Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20 Rally1) who is 24 points ahead of Welsh ace Elfyn Evans (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1), will be aiming to repeat last year’s success. Running first on the road he will be at a disadvantage as he sweeps a cleaner, faster line for his rivals.
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A meeting between the Motorsport Ireland Rallies Commission and competitors took place in Tullamore on Wednesday night last. Although notice of the meeting was announced on April 19th, no agenda was available until the meeting began. Items from competitors were taken from the floor but not dealt with until late in the night. Competitors heard of a “draft service park proposal” that includes an administration charge of €250, while attendees expressed concerns about the tracking system. The attendance was somewhere in excess of 120 competitors, which was disappointing but given that it was in the middle of a working week, relatively understandable.
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