Motorsport: Josh Moffett continues bid to emulate brother Sam

TRIPLE HEADER: Monaghan's Josh Moffett (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) driving for triple success to equal his brother Sam's victories in the Irish Tarmac, National and Forest Championships in the same season. Pic: Martin Walsh.

Winning all three Irish rally championships - Irish Tarmac, National and Forest - in a single season is a feat that, so far, has only ever been achieved (in 2017) by Monaghan's Sam Moffett.

On Sunday, his younger brother Josh cranks up his bid to complete the Irish motorsport triple crown. 

Given their well-known sibling rivalry, Josh is in a strong position to emulate his brother as he currently heads all three championships and is in a rich vein of form.

The Ballinasloe based Galway Summer Rally is round six of the Triton Showers backed series where Moffett (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) is twelve points clear of Longford's Shane Quinn (Ford Fiesta Rally2). 

Realistically, the national series now rests between the pair with Moffett (91points) having annexed three wins so far while Quinn, who has been relatively consistent, awaits a maiden national event victory. 

The Galway event has attracted an entry of over 170 crews, yet, it was only on Monday last that the list was publicised.

Donegal's Kevin Eves (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2), Leitrim's Keelan Grogan (Ford Fiesta Rally2) and Ballylickey's Daniel Cronin (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) complete the top quintet.

All three have the opportunity to embellish their respective 52, 40 and 35 points totals.

Meanwhile, the two-wheel drive (modified) category featuring the Cavan trio of Daniel McKenna (Ford Escort), Aaron McIntyre (Toyota Starlet) and Jonny Pringle (Ford Escort) along with Mayo's Brian Lavelle (Fords Escort) should have a good battle over the day's nine stages. Mayo's John Warren (Ford Fiesta Rally2) rounds out the top ten. 

Meath's Tim McNulty (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2), who was the first driver to win the Irish Tarmac and National championships in the same year (2011) is seeded at fifteen.

Meanwhile, with the withdrawal of last year's winner Fivemiletown's Cathan McCourt (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) from tomorrow's Banbridge-based R Kings Competition Down Rally, a trio of Welsh aces Meirion Evans, Osian Pryce and Jason Pritchard, all aboard Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 cars will provide stern opposition for the Irish contingent. 

The event based at The Boulevard dovetails as rounds of the Brown and Brown Northern Ireland Rally Championship and Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Championship. 

The NI series was decided on the Rallye Lecale last month with Carryduff's Jonny Greer taking the title and Monaghan's Sam Moffett securing second, neither are competing tomorrow.

The Irish challenge is led by Armagh's Marty Toner (Ford Fiesta), Donegal's Aaron McLaughlin (VW Polo GTi R5) and Ballymena's Alan Carmichael (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2).

Dromore's Stuart Biggerstaff on what will be his second outing in a VW Polo GTi R5 will seek to impress on home ground over the eight stages that includes the classic Hamilton's Folly. Newtownabbey's Derek McGarrity is also in a VW Polo GTi R5. 

Clonakilty's Cal McCarthy (Citroen C3 Rally2) is set to get the call from the reserve list, he was sixth in Rallye Lecale.

The two-wheel drive category includes Draperstown duo Camillus Bradley and Joe Hegarty both in Escorts and the Toyota Starlet of Armagh's Gareth Black. Armagh's Damien Toner (Ford Escort) is the last reserve. The first stage begins at 9.13am.

On his return to motor racing, West Cork driver Michael Keohane (Century Motorsport) continues his participation in the Carwow Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain series that takes him to Donington Park, one of his most successful tracks from his days in the British Formula 3 Championships over twenty years ago. 

A double winner at the Leicestershire venue with Carlin Motorsport in 2002, opposition this weekend includes his Century Motorsport team mate Henry Dawes, who returns to the series for the first time since he won both races in the opening round, also in Donington Park, last April.

Piloting the 520 brake horse power Porsche, that is wider, more powerful and complete with advanced electronics is in stark contrast from his stints in the single seater Formula 3 series.

"For sure, it is much more demanding, the car is very wide and on some tracks overtaking can be difficult. I am enjoying my return to the track and I'm very happy with Century Motorsport, there is a great atmosphere within the team and that was something I was familiar with during my time with Meritus (F3 Scholarship Class) and Carlin Motorsport." 

In yesterday's first test session in damp conditions, Keohane was sandwiched between his team mate Carl Cavers and Dawes, the trio separated by just 0.503s. Sunday's races are at 9.40am and 1.50pm.