The Motor Sport Council seems fractured - will it heal? 

John Naylor,, who was at the centre of a Court of Inquiry established by the president of Motorsport Ireland Aiden Harper into complaints received against Mr Naylor, who was Chair of the Stewards at the 2025 Rally of the Lakes. Picture: Michael Chester.

Motorsport Ireland are back in the spotlight this week after an appeal to a recent Court of Inquiry was lodged within the allowed time frame. It's an unprecedented situation for the governing body of Irish Motorsport - with some members of its Motor Sport Council acting as witnesses for Motorsport Ireland (who initiated the inquiry through its president Aiden Harper) and other MSC members witnesses for the respondent John Naylor, who was the chair of the stewards on the 2025 Killarney Rally of the Lakes and is also vice-president of Motorsport Ireland.

The 11-page report on the MI website concluded: "The Court has decided unanimously that the Respondent apologise in writing to Ciara Griffin, provides an undertaking to not use such intemperate language whilst carrying out his duties as a Senior Licenced Official or Council member of the Motorsport Council. This decision serves as a written reprimand pursuant to GCR 142.1.2. The Respondent is reminded of his Right to Appeal."

The report stated that Mr Naylor (The Respondent) had no recollection of using a four letter expletive in his interaction with Ciara Griffin (Club Steward) at the 2024 Rally of the Lakes. The report also found that Mr Naylor wasn't in breach of the rules in relation to leaving the 2025 event.

A new court panel must now be appointed for a full rehearing of the case. The Irish Examiner understands that the presenter (Motorsport Ireland) has the right to rehear everything and that Mr Naylor has the right to determine the appeal direction. The terms of reference remain the same and that could be key.

Interestingly, the fee for a National Court of Appeal arising from an international event is €4,000 as per the GCR's of the MI Yearbook. However, it appears there is no scale of fees applicable to the current situation - that was probably never foreseen. The Motor Sport Council seems fractured, the big question is - will it heal? 

Meanwhile, the Irish Examiner has learned that Trevor Gray has stood down as chair of the Karting Commission and as appointments to the MSC and its various commissions are "paused" John Naylor is set to act as convenor in the meantime.

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This weekend's Skibbereen "100 Isles" Navigation Trial could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the Motorsport Ireland National Navigation Trial Championship and will certainly decide who will win the Munster Navigation Championship, of which it's the final round.

Although the Longford/Monaghan duo of Pakie Duffy/Evan Hughes are in a strong position after five rounds of the national series and with two more events (Cavan and Monaghan) following Saturday night's encounter, they still have some work to do - the series is based on the best six scores from eight rounds seven along with five bonus points for contesting six events. 

A trio of Cork crews James Fitzgerald/Ken Carmody; Owen Murphy/Patrick O'Sullivan and Derek Butler/Aaron O'Regan are aiming to chase down their Ulster rivals on the 84-mile event that is based at the Cork Marts complex in Skibbereen. The Munster series is delicately poised between Fitzgerald/Carmody and Murphy/O'Sullivan while Duffy/Hughes are also in the title frame. The first crew are away is at 22:00 where they will tackle terrain to the south of Drimoleague towards Drinagh, the second section of the event, particularly around Connonagh is set to be very technical and challenging.

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The launch of the Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally, the second round of the NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship takes place at The Park Cinema, Clonakilty at 14:30 on Sunday.

The Irish pairing of Craig Rahill/Conor Smith are amongst nine crews that will tackle next week's Rally Sweden, the opening round of the Junior World Rally Championship. From Drung, Co. Cavan, Rahill - a former winner of the Billy Coleman award, contested the Junior section of last season's European Rally Championship where he took a category win at the Barum Czech Rally Zlín. 

“I’m incredibly excited to compete in the Junior WRC in 2026. It’s a significant step up but Conor (Smith) and I have worked extremely hard to earn this opportunity. The championship is a vital stepping stone towards the WRC and a fantastic chance to measure ourselves against the best young talent in the sport.”

Turkish crew Ali Turkkan/Oytun Albayrak, who were third overall in last year's JWRC are viewed as the favourites but Sweden's Calle Carlberg/Jorgen Eriksen, the reigning Junior ERC champions (that led to a prize drive Junior WRC entry) will be a significant threat.