Motorsport: 10 drivers in contention as Forest Rally Challenge series concludes in Derry

Monaghan's Josh Moffett isn't competing as he already wrapped up the championship as only the second driver to win the three major Irish rally championships in the same season

Derry's Jordan Hone/Paul Hone (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) will compete in tomorrow's Dogleap Rally in Ballykelly, Derry. Picture: William Neill.

The curtain falls on the Irish gravel rally season on Saturday's Premier Car Parts Dogleap Rally in Derry that dovetails as rounds of the Brown & Brown Northern Ireland Forest Rally Challenge and the Irish National Forest series.

Although Monaghan's Josh Moffett (Hyundai i20 R5) is the top seed, he's not competing as he has already wrapped up the Irish championship that saw him become only the second ever driver to win the three major Irish rally championships in the same season. That feat was previously achieved by his elder brother Sam in 2017.

In terms of the NI Challenge series, there are no fewer than 10 drivers with a mathematical chance of victory. 

Principally, Carlow’s David Condell (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) is best placed with a 15-point advantage. Six stages at the Shackleton complex in Ballykelly will provide the final challenge as second-placed Mark Donnelly, also in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 is his closest rival. 

The Greencastle driver and Derry's Jordan Hone will also be seeking the runner-up spot in the Irish campaign where, last time out in Laois, Donnelly retired after the second stage and with Moffett taking maximum points. It ended Donnelly's chance of bringing the national series to this final round.

Others with a chance of winning the NI Challenge are Ballygawley's Vivian Hammill and Cookstown's Owen Mallon, both Skoda Fabias. Newly crowned NI champion Jonny Greer (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) is seeded at number three followed by last year's event winner Niall Devine (VW Polo GTi R5) with outgoing Irish National Forest Rally champion Jason Mitchell (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) very likely to be in contention for event victory.

Meanwhile, Clonmel's Casey Jay Coleman will campaign a Ryan Loughran hired Ford Fiesta Rally2 to gain gravel experience ahead of his outing in next week's final round of the European Rally Championship, Rally Six Cities North of Portugal. On that occasion, Coleman will drive his Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 that's currently in transit to Portugal. Next season, he will tackle a full WRC campaign with the Skoda Rally2. 

Meanwhile, another driver hoping for a good result is former Billy Coleman award winner Cavan's Craig Rahill (Ford Fiesta Rally3). The event consists of four stages, repeated twice with the first stage Loughermore 1 starting at 10.30am. The service park is based in Aghanloo, Limavady.

The Motorsport Ireland National Navigation Trial Championship begins tomorrow night with the Cork Startrek Navigation Trial that is based in the Lisgoold Community Hall. The 80-mile route is over terrain on OSI Discovery Series Sheet 81 (5th Edition). Organised by the Cork Motor Club, it is also a counter for the Munster Navigation series. Irish World Rally Championship co-driver Killeagh's Eoin Treacy is amongst the entry as are reigning national champions Pakie Duffy/Evin Hughes. First car away is at 10.00pm.

Overhaul

The Irish Examiner understands that the Motor Sport Council (MSC) are due to meet the Irish Motorsport Federation on Tuesday next to discuss the Motorsport Ireland Strategic Structure Review that was carried out by Davis Business Consultants. The report and an abridged version has already been circulated to the MI-affiliated clubs. It appears that the review is very comprehensive and if fully implemented could lead to major changes to the organisational structure within Motorsport Ireland. 

The review was focused on developing a practical, sustainable and effective governance and organisational structure for the long-term benefit of motorsport in Ireland. 

There are suggestions that within the MSC there are opposing views to aspects of the review that, financially, if fully implemented, sources claim will cost in excess of €200,000.