Motorsport: Bumper weekend ahead for Irish rallying

The Modern Tyres Ulster Rally, which celebrates its 50th anniversary, begins today.

Josh Moffett/Andy Hayes (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) are the top seeds in the Ballymena based Modern Tyres Ulster Rally that begins today (Friday). Picture: Martin Walsh.

Rounds of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship and the Irish Forest Rally Championship ensure a busy weekend for Irish rallying. 

The Modern Tyres Ulster Rally, which celebrates its 50th anniversary, is also part of the European Historic Rally Championship (EHRC) and begins today  with its opening leg featuring six stages including classics Glendun and Torr Head with a further six stages tomorrow. 

On Sunday, the Jim Walsh Forest Rally Championship, the third round of the Trailer Parts & Spares National Forest series, will be based at the Mallow Autograss complex in Quitrent Mountain to the north of Kildorrery.

Monaghan's Josh Moffett is tackling both events, albeit in different cars. Aboard his Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, the 34-year-old is the top seed in the Ballymena-based event, the penultimate round of the series that irrespective of what happens this weekend, will still go down to the wire on the Cork '20' Rally (September 26/27) that has a points coefficient of 1.5. 

Reigning national champion Kilkenny's Eddie Doherty (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) is currently Moffett's main challenger for the title and they should have a fascinating battle on the stages as Doherty edges closer to a maiden victory in a round of the ITRC. Doherty hasn't driven competitively since the Donegal International Rally last June while Moffett won the Monaghan Rally just five days ago and it remains to be seen if this (seat time) will be a factor. 

Doherty (29) has increased his level of preparation in the past year and will be ready to make inroads and cut an eight-point deficit in the ITRC.

Although Circuit of Ireland Rally winner David Kelly (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) is twenty-eight points adrift of Moffett and while it's still possible for the Donegal driver to win the series, realistically, it's more likely how he will affect the distribution of championship points that will have a bearing on the title destiny. 

Another driver that could play a part in the series by splitting points is Tyrone's Cathan McCourt (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) and while he is well down the standings, he's likely to adopt a flat-out approach from the start.

The top seven also features Derry's Desi Henry (Ford Fiesta Rally2), Jersey's Sam Touzel (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) and Tyrone's Jason Dickson (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2).

Meanwhile, Donegal's Eamonn Kelly (BMW M3) is the leading entry in the EHRC category that, unfortunately didn't seem to get the expected traction from the European regulars. 

Welsh ace Tomas Davies (BMW M3), Killarney's Alan Ring (Subaru Impreza 555) complete the top three seeds with Dunmanway's Jason McSweeney (Ford Escort WRC) and Waterford's Ray Breen (Subaru Legacy) battling for points in the Irish Tarmac Historic Championship.

There were no points awarded for the Donegal International as per the championship regulations relating to the minimum length of the rally to qualify for points. McSweeney holds an 11-point advantage over Tyrone's Ronan Campbell (Ford Escort), who contests the National section of the rally. Breen is twenty points behind McSweeney and still capable of championship success.

Meanwhile, Sunday's DJD Transport-backed Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally is the latest instalment of the Trailer parts & spares Irish National Forest series where a margin of just six points cover the top four drivers battling for the title. Omagh's Mark Donnelly (VW Polo GTi R5), who won the opening round in Mayo and Monaghan's Josh Moffett (Hyundai i20 R5), who took top spot on the Moonraker Rally, are the top two seeds for the eight (4x2) stage encounter with Donnelly holding a single point advantage. 

Claudy's Jordan Hone onboard his Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 is also very much in the mix. 

Just 3.1s shy of Moffett on the last round and a top three finish in Mayo, he is on the same points total as Moffett in what is shaping up to be one of the closest championship contests in years. Omagh's Gareth Mimnagh (Ford Fiesta Rally2) is the final driver in the championship quartet.

The 100-strong entry is very competitive with Ulster drivers Niall McCullagh (VW Polo GTi R5), Vivian Hamill (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) and Stephen Dickson (Ford Fiesta Rally2) all capable of taking valuable championship points. 

In the two-wheel drive category Fivemiletown's Shane McGirr (Lada Riva) will be the barometer for fellow Ulster drivers Hugh McQuaid (Ford Escort) and Jack Harris (Ford Fiesta Rally3). The first of the day's stages (Glenannar) begins at 8.37am.