Rallying mourns big-hearted Kevin Barrett 

It was in his Subaru that Kevin became best known throughout the country where chatted freely to all, especially at the service parks.

Kevin Barrett was a familiar competitor in his S14 Subaru WRC, pictured here in the Fastnet Rally in 2019. Picture: Martin Walsh.

Glowing tributes are being expressed following the passing of Maynooth's Kevin Barrett, one of the great ambassadors of Irish rallying. A recipient of two of the most prestigious awards in Irish motorsport, Kevin was an avid competitor and supporter of Irish rallies. Since 2015, as director of Earthridge International, he was the sponsor of the Irish National Rally Championship through the Triton Showers brand.

In a career that spanned some 40 years, Kevin competed in various types of the Ford marque - Escorts including a G3, Sierra Cosworth before switching to an Opel Manta. However, it was the Subaru - first a Legacy and then to several versions of the Impreza (555 and WRC) that he became best known throughout the country where chatted freely to all, especially at the service parks.

His generosity, especially to emerging young rally talent, was something that was relatively unknown, but that was typical of the man, a big man with an even bigger heart, he did things in his own inimitable way. 

In 2016 he was awarded the JC Millard Trophy as clubman of the year and two years later received the Ivan Webb Award for his services to Irish motorsport. He participated in motorsport for its enjoyment - top three finishes in the national rally championship between 2005 and 2011 along with victories in the Galway Summer Rally and the Mayo Rally were special. 

Kevin had a great love of motorsport and motorsport people that was only surpassed by his love for his family. In the past few years he bore his illness with great dignity. Laid to rest on Thursday in Laraghbryan Cemetery, Maynooth, Kevin is survived by his wife Pauline, children Shauna, Paul, Anthony and Niamh, brother Francis, sisters Maria, Joan, Breda and Tina, extended family including his motorsport family. May he rest in peace.

Maynooth's Kevin Barrett (right) at the launch of the Triton Showers National Rally Championhip at Mondello Park in 2019. Photo: Martin Walsh.

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Moira's William Creighton continues with a Citroen C3 Rally2 in this season's European Rally Championship on this weekend's BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia that is based in Karlstad. Seventh in the first round (43rd Andalusia Rally-Sierra Morena -Córdoba World Heritage Site) he has stiff opposition on the 16-stage event with Finland's Teemu Suninen, a triple WRC podium finisher heading the entry. From steering a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 to WRC2 victory in the recent Vodafone Rally de Portugal, Suninen will campaign the Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 he drove to fourth place in the championship opener last month. Others include Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 pair Miko Marczyk Martins Sesks and Andrea Mabellini (Lancia Ypsilon Rally2).

Ulster man Philip Allen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) is also competing. There is a strong Irish contingent in the Rally3 category with Casey Jay Coleman, Kalum Graffin, Cian Caldwell and Craig Rahill - all in Ford Fiesta Rally3 cars. Elsewhere, Billy Coleman award winner Donegal's Kyle McBride (Peugeot 208 Rally4) begins his attack on the Junior ERC series. The Junior BRC and Stellantis Cup champion will be run by the Tagai Racing Technology outfit. Following this evening's short opening stage, there are fifteen stages spread over tomorrow and Sunday.

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In circuit racing, Michael Keohane is aiming to build on his recent maiden victory in the Master's class of the Porsche Carwow Carrera Cup Great Britain series on this weekend's pair of races at the Snetterton race track in Norfolk. Racing with Century Motorsport, the West Cork driver continues his racing return, he last raced at the circuit in 2001. 'It's nice to have a win under the belt. Snetterton is probably the one track that I know the least. There are some really tricky sections, especially the infield section while the outer section is extremely fast." said Keohane. Sunday's races are 10.00 am and 3.15pm.

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Welsh ace Meirion Evans (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) is the top seed for the Jim Clark Rally, round two of the British rally Championship that begins in Duns this (Friday) evening at 6.45pm. The entry includes his MEM team mate, current championship leader and fellow Welsh driver Osian Pryce, also in a Toyota; local hero Garry Pearson (Ford Fiesta Rally2), Max McRae and Sam Touzel in a pair of Skoda Fabia RS Rally2's. There are four stages this evening and six tomorrow.

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The Cork Motor Club's Spring Endurance Trial, the second round of the Skoda Parts Ireland National Endurance Championship, takes place on Sunday. Reigning national champion Ovens driver Owen Murphy (MG ZR) is amongst the forty-plus entry list, based at the Cullen GAA complex, the first car away is at 10.00am.