Motorsport: Josh Moffett and Martin Doherty vie for Irish Tarmac Championship at Cork 20 Rally

The NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship that has criss-crossed three provinces since last January comes to its conclusion this weekend with the MRF Tyres Cork 20 Rally where the ITRC title and the Fisher Perpetual Trophy goes down to the wire.

The organising Munster Car Club are returning to the classic stages around Macroom such as Lough Allua, Mullaghanish and Kilnamartyra, the latter described by nine-times World champion Sebastien Loeb in 2007 as the best territory he had driven.

For Monaghan's Josh Moffett (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) and Kilkenny's Eddie Doherty (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) and their respective co-drivers - Wexford's Andy Hayes and Limerick's Tom Murphy - the quest is the same although their approach may be different.

Moffett has a 13-point advantage in a series decided on the best six from seven events and with the 20 having a points co-efficient of 1.5 there are a number of permutations. Irrespective of Doherty's performance, a third-place finish will ensure Moffett secures his third title having previously triumphed in 2018 and 2022.

For Doherty, the reigning Irish National Rally champion, this is his first real attempt at the Tarmac series and while he lacks the experience of many of the championship regulars, he's shown great consistency all year. "Yes, it will be full attack, I'm hoping the weather will change and make it interesting for us. 

I have nothing to lose, the plan is to try and finish the season on a high, whether that be the championship or a first Tarmac round win."

Moffett put his lead in perspective. "It leaves my weekend easier that Eddie's, yes, there are a good few other registered competitors going and equally fast ones as well, it will be a high-paced weekend where we will have to keep on it (pace). My target won't necessarily be to win the rally or come first in the championship points but we still have to keep a strong pace all through. Eddie will have a bigger challenge as he's going to need the win."

As for the stages... "I'm not one for remembering stages, returning to these classic stages that haven't been used in several years, I think it's a fairly level playing field for everybody. The stages will be challenging and tough so it should make for a good rally."

How the other championship-registered drivers will perform could have a bearing on the championship destiny and Moffett and Doherty will be aware of the consequences.

Donegal's David Kelly (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2), who won this year's Circuit of Ireland, Eamonn Kelly (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2), Derry's Desi Henry (Ford Fiesta Rally2), Jersey's Sam Touzel and Donegal's Matthew and Declan Boyle, all in Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 cars, provide a strong and capable representation of possible game changers.

Welsh ace Matt Edwards (VW Polo GTi R5) and Ballylickey's Daniel Cronin (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2), who are seeded in the top ten, the rally is an opportunity for a strong result.

For Clonmel's Casey Jay Coleman, Leitrim's Keelan Grogan, Tyrone's Ryan Loughran, British driver Mark Kelly, all in Skoda Fabia's and Ovens driver Owen Murphy (Citroen C3 Rally2) the rally will be a barometer of their pace.

The principals in the modified category are Monaghan's Daniel McKenna (Ford Escort); Donegal's Patrick McHugh (Darrian T90 GTR) and former winner (2018) Clonmel's Roy White (MG Rover S2000).

The Irish Historic Tarmac series is also down for decision in a triple battle between Ronan Campbell (Ford Escort), Ray Breen (Subaru Legacy) and Jason McSweeney (Ford Escort WRC) while Donegal's Aaron Reid holds the advantage in the Honda Civic-dominated Junior category over Ladysbridge's Darragh Walsh.

There are eight stages tomorrow beginning at 9.10am and six on Sunday from 10.15am with the service park based at the Stryker facility in Macroom. The finish at the Clayton Hotel Silver Springs is at 4.30pm. This evening (Friday) the ceremonial start is at 7.30pm near the GPO in Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork.

In motor racing, Clonakilty's Michael Keohane competes in the penultimate double-header in the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain series in Silverstone. 

Having netted a brace of Master's wins last time out in Croft, it's the perfect base as he returns to a familiar circuit having been based in Towcester for half a decade during his time in Formula 3. There's a 30-minute qualifying session tomorrow with Sunday's races at 9.30am and 1.30pm.

WEEKEND DIARY 

Saturday:

MRF Tyres Cork 20 Rally (Final Round: NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship (Macroom) 9.10am 

Sunday:

MRF Tyres Cork 20 Rally (Final Round): NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship (Macroom) 10.15am; Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain (Silverstone) 9.30am & 1.30pm.

This weekend sees Catherine Walsh (Driver) and Ava O’Driscoll (Co-Driver) take to the stages in their Honda Civic for the Cork 20 Rally.

For driver Catherine Walsh, the Cork 20 will be another opportunity to build on her strong performances in the Junior section at both the Assess Ireland Rally of the Lakes and the Clonakilty & West Cork Rally. Catherine has shown good pace and consistency throughout the season and will be looking to build on that progress this weekend.

Co-driver Ava O’Driscoll has enjoyed an exciting and busy year, gaining valuable experience alongside a number of different drivers and in a variety of cars. She partnered Ray Benskin Jr. at Cork Forestry, finishing 4th in class, before rejoining Catherine and securing an impressive 2nd in Class 16 at the Circuit of Munster.

July brought another milestone for Ava when she recorded her first stage win at the Summerhill Containers Imokelly Rallysprint, further adding to her growing co-driving experience.

Ava was also back in an R5 alongside Derek Mackarel for the 2026 Monaghan Stages. With a new setup and their first tarmac event together in the car, the crew made excellent progress throughout the day. Starting 40th O/A after the opening stage, they climbed their way up to 24th O/A, despite picking up a puncture on the final stage.

With Catherine and Ava now reunited for the Cork 20, they will be looking to put all that experience to good use and continue the positive progress made throughout the season