logo
Motors: McErlean and Treacy finish ninth at the Delfi Rally Estonia

Motors: McErlean and Treacy finish ninth at the Delfi Rally Estonia

Irish Examiner20-07-2025
The Irish crew of Josh McErlean/Eoin Treacy (Ford Puma Rally1) took their fourth WRC points scoring finish of the season with ninth place in the Delfi Rally Estonia as Swedish driver Oliver Solberg (23) took a magnificent debut Rally1 maiden victory with the Toyota GR Racing outfit. Taking the lead on Saturday's opening stage (SS2) Solberg, the son of former WR champion Petter, showed pace and calmness that belied his years and indeed his Rally1 experience in what was his first Rally1 drive in some three years.
Shedding tears at the finish, he said, 'After everything, for so many years trying and trying and trying and dreaming, me and Elliott (Edmondson, his co-driver) have finally made it. I don't know how to describe it. I just want to say a big thank you to Toyota, to the team and to the test team, who have helped me get so comfortable. For all the help in this beautiful team, I've never had such a good time in my life, so thank you.'
Solberg finished 25.2s ahead of Hyundai's Ott Tanak, who moves into a one point lead of the championship, with his team mate and reigning champion Thierry Neuville, 23.1s further behind in third.
Through Saturday's second leg of nine stages, McErlean/ Treacy maintained their 10th place throughout the day. Running second on the road and having to sweep the loose gravel they had a consistent run as they tried to find their limits without taking risks. At a junction soon after the start of SS12 they out-braked themselves and ended up in a ditch but luckily, escaped unscathed.
Out in front, Solberg continued to impress and with four stage wins ended the day with a 21.1s lead, Some changes to the set-up of his Toyota GR Yaris gave Solberg some extra confidence and he duly topped the time sheets on three of the four morning speed tests. His performance allowed him tailor his approach during the afternoon stages to one of stage management. All the time, the Hyundai i20 duo of Ott Tanak and Thierry Neuville battled for second - trading places on six occasions with local hero Tanak ending the day 4s ahead of the reigning World champion, who lost some 7s on the day's first stage when he stalled after clipping a chicane bale. Japan's Takamoto Katsuta and his Northern Ireland co-driver Aaron Johnson were sixth overnight.
As Solberg went on to claim an astonishing victory, second placed Tanak became the new leader of the championship, Neuville incurred a 10 second penalty for a jump start on Sunday's first stage. While McErlean admitted he wasn't as committed as he would have wished, it was important to get to the finish and with the final stage retirement of Katsuta/Johnston due to a mechanical issue, the Irish crew were classified ninth.
On the domestic front, Kilkenny's Eddie Doherty (Skoda Fabia R5) won the Sligo Rally to reclaim the lead of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship. Throughout the nine stage where tyre choice was difficult, he traded times with late entry Donegal's David Kelly (VW Polo GTi R5), who led twice. At the final service, Doherty held sway by 2.5s before taking a 2.4s advantage into the final stage where Kelly, who had previously narrowed the deficit to 0.8s had an altercation that took a wheel off his VW Polo GTi R5, temporarily blocking the stage.
Doherty went on to finish 10.9s ahead of the Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 of Donegal's Declan Boyle, whose son Michael, also in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, wad 14.2s behind in third.
There was early drama when pre-event and joint championship leader Josh Moffett rolled his Hyundai R5 into retirement on SS1 where Donegal's Kevin Eves (Ford Fiesta Rally2) also crashed out. Sam Moffett was amongst the non-starters.
Elsewhere, Omagh's Cathan McCourt (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) won the Banbridge based R Kings Down Rally, that dovetailed as rounds of the Brown & Brown Northern Ireland Rally Championship and the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship. Fastest on six of the day's eight stages, he finished 58.6s ahead of the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 of Carryduff's Jonny Greer, that ran with a 32mm restrictor, Jersey driver Sam Touzel (Ford Fiesta Rally2), who was third, took maximum points to lead the UK Asphalt series.
Delfi Rally Estonia (Round 8, World Rally Championship) Tartu: 1. O. Solberg/E. Edmondson (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)2h. 36m. 35.1s; 2. O. Tänak/M. Järveoja (Hyundai i20 N Rally1)+25.2s; 3. T. Neuville/M. Wydaeghe (Hyundai i20 N Rally1)+48.3s; 4. K. Rovanperä/ J. Halttunen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)+55.6s; 5. A. Fourmaux/A. Coria (Hyundai i20 N Rally1)+1m. 33.0s; 6. E. Evans/S. Martin (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)+1m. 43.4s; 7. S. Pajari/M. Salminen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)+2m. 55.6s; 8. M. Sesks/R. Francis (Ford Puma Rally1)+3m. 36.0s; 9. J. McErlean/E. Treacy (Ford Puma Rally1)+5m. 29.8s; 10. G. Munster/L. Louka (Ford Puma Rally1)+5m. 57.5s.
World Rally Championship for Drivers' Standings (After Round 8): 1. O. Tanak 162pts; 2. E. Evans 161pts; 3. S. Ogier 141pts; 4. K. Rovanpera 138pts; 5. T. Neuville 114pts; 6. A. Fourmaux 71pts; 7. T. Katsuta 63pts; 8. O. Solberg 52pts; 9. S. Pajari 38pts; 10. 10. G. Munster 19pts; 11. J. McErlean 14pts.
World Rally Manufacturers' Championship Standings (After Round 8):1. Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT 399pts; 2, Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT 347pts; 3. M-Sport Ford WRT 111pts; 4. Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT2 68pts.
Sligo Rally (Round 5, Triton Showers National Rally Championship) Sligo: 1. E. Doherty/T. Murphy (Skoda Fabia R5) 49m. 55.8s; 2. D. Boyle/P. Walsh (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+10.9s; 3. M. Boyle/D. McCafferty (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+25.1s; 4. J. Dickson/M. Brady (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+47.1s; 5. D. Henry/D. O'Sullivan (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+53.4s; 6. P. Barrett/D. Kelly (Citroen C3 Rally2)+1m. 07.7s; 7. M. Boyle/G. Byrne (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m. 08.5s; 8. G. Kiernan/J. McCabe (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m. 19.2s; 9. D. Gass/N. Shanks (VW Polo GTi R5)+1m. 49.0s; 10. A. McIntyre/P. O'Callaghan (Toyota Starlet)+2m. 32.1s.
R Kings Down Rally (Brown & Brown Northern Ireland Rally Championship) Banbridge, Co. Down: 1. C. McCourt/B. McNulty (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) 52m. 26.9s; 2.J. Greer/N. Burns (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2)+58.6s; 3. S. Touzel/M. Freeman (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m. 15.7s; 4. M. Kelly/W. Atkins (VW Polo GTi R5)+1m. 23.8s; 5. A. McLaughlin/K. McLaughlin (VW Polo GTi R5)+3m. 04.4s; 6. N. Roskell/R. Fagg (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+3m. 05.4s; 7. C. Wilson/K. McDaid (Hyundai i20 R5)+3m. 45.9s; 8. B. Cole/D. Petrie (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+3m. 50.2s; 9. M. Toner/A. Rankin (Proton Satria)+4m. 22.8s; 10. L. Edwards/S. Spencer (Ford Escort G3)+4m. 35.9s.
2025 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship (Positions after Round 5): 1. S. Touzel 114pts; 2. Jason Pritchard 110pts; 3. N. Roskell 107pts; 4. Brad Cole 93pts; 5. John Stone 87pts.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Horse racing tips: ‘Everything perfect for Ryan Moore's mount' – Templegate's day two Glorious Goodwood NAP
Horse racing tips: ‘Everything perfect for Ryan Moore's mount' – Templegate's day two Glorious Goodwood NAP

The Irish Sun

time3 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

Horse racing tips: ‘Everything perfect for Ryan Moore's mount' – Templegate's day two Glorious Goodwood NAP

TEMPLEGATE takes on day two of Glorious Goodwood hellbent on smashing the bookies with a load of winners. Back a horse by clicking their odds - and check out this TABITI (1.55 Goodwood, nap) She was a cracking third in the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot last time. She led past the furlong marker in that red-hot mile contest and dropping back in trip here looks perfect. LADY IMAN (2.30 Goodwood, nb) She looks much the best filly in this race and hopefully top Irish trainer Ger Lyons can land his first winner on British soil since way back in 2019. He won't have had many better chances than this talented Starman filly who took the Group 3 Blackbeard Stakes at Naas in May before going close in hot company at The Curragh last time. NATIVE WARRIOR (4.55 Goodwood, treble) He landed a smooth success on the sand at Newcastle last time and takes a drop in class here. A 3lb rise in the weights is more than fair and he can strike for Karl Burke with Christophe Soumillon doing the steering. Templegate's TV verdicts GOODWOOD Most read in Horse Racing 1.20 SING US A SONG can be forgiven one poor run at Royal Ascot where he was sleeping in the stalls. Ralph Beckett's Camelot colt is better judged on his blistering Sandown win that kicked off this season. He shapes like this trip will be ideal and has more to come off a fair mark. The yard has another chance with Cape Breton who won nicely from the front at Salisbury. This is tougher but there's more to come. Sudu deserves this hike in grade after winning by seven lengths at Epsom earlier this month. He's been hiked 11lb but has lots of talent. Omni Man was a solid fifth at Royal Ascot on a tough handicap debut. He likes this trip and Ryan Moore rides for Joseph O'Brien. They have every chance. Kurakka didn't enjoy dropping to 1m2f at Newmarket last time after a good Haydock win over this trip. 1.55 PICK up the Tab with Ralph Beckett's improver in the Oak Tree Stakes. TABITI was a cracking third in the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot last time. She led past the furlong marker in that red-hot mile contest and dropping back in trip here looks perfect. Romantic Style and Jabaara look the main threats. Here's my guide to the field, where I rate them one (worst) to five (best): BRIGHT THUNDER 3 THUNDER clap. In fine form with French Listed win last time. Handles good and won't mind dropping to 7f. Player. CHIC COLOMBINE 1 COL it off. Listed winner at best and has scored here before but been out of form for a long time. Lot to prove now. CLOUD COVER 3 COVER up. Two Listed wins on AW, stays 7f strongly and travels. Player if matching that level on rare turf run. FAIR ANGELLICA 2 JUST Fair. Solid G3 fourth at Newbury last time over 6f but stays. Goes on any ground but needs more for this. HAVANA PUSEY 1 HAVANA laugh. Reliable handicapper with two 7f wins here and at Windsor. Handles C&D but this is a tougher test all round. JABAARA 4 JAB landed. Solid Listed performer over this trip and yard in form. Likes quick ground and won't be far away. JASNA'S SECRET 3 SECRET hope. French raider with Listed win in April and a close-up Group 3 fourth last time over this trip. Best on easy ground but should handle conditions okay. ROMANTIC STYLE 4 SMART Style. Smart Meydan winner in January and unlucky in G3 Abernant at HQ on return. Solid 7f filly when right and can figure under Buick. ARABIAN DUSK 3 DUSK may dawn. She has gone close at Group 2 level this season over 6f but should relish this trip. Has class and won't be far away. BETTY CLOVER 2 BETTY oops. She's been placed here and in this grade but was pulled up on firm at Royal Ascot and may prefer a mile. FORMAL 3 FORMAL wary. Epsom Listed winner in June but well held since at York. Yet to truly convince at this level but has potential if back on song. SAQQARA SANDS 3 SHIFTING Sands. Carlisle Listed win last time after good runs at Epsom and Newbury. Respected but likes soft. SILVER GHOST 2 GHOST her. Two good 7f handicap wins in spring and shaped okay in big Royal Ascot field. Likes this track, but others stronger on form. TABITI 5 BITI has bite. Lightly raced filly who took a step forward when third in Sandringham at Royal Ascot. She travels well and finishes strongly. Big potential improver with drop to 7f fine. 2.30 LADY IMAN looks much the best filly in this race and hopefully top Irish trainer Ger Lyons can land his first winner on British soil since way back in 2019. He won't have had many better chances than this talented Starman filly who took the Group 3 Blackbeard Stakes at Naas in May before going close in hot company at The Curragh last time. This is only the second time Ryan Moore's ridden for the yard and the drop back to the minimum trip should help given how sweetly she travels. Military Code was just nabbed in a Sandown Listed race over this trip latest and may find it easier to get home here. Charlie Appleby is in fine form and his hope goes on good or rattling fast ground. Ameeq got clattered by a rival jockey's whip when finishing strongly behind superstar Charles Darwin in the Norfolk Stakes last time. That was a smart performance he relishes this trip. A repeat of that would take him close. Sands Of Spain showed lots of zip when third in the Super Sprint at Newbury and still looked green so there should be more to come. Argentine Tango is proven at Listed level over 6f and could nick a place if the pace isn't too hot. 3.05 FIELD OF GOLD looks on a different level to his elders and can follow in his sire Kingman's hoofprints by winning the Sussex Stakes. We all know he should have won the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket before he demolished his rivals in the Irish version before a bloodless success in the St James's Palace at Royal Ascot last time. There are no trip or ground worries and, while he hasn't tackled a tricky track like this before, there's no reason why he won't handle it. There are only two places thanks to the small field but I still fancy Docklands to make the frame. He survived his rider dropping the whip to take the Queen Anne ahead of Rosallion last time and there won't be a lot between them again. Rosallion already has a couple of Group 1s on his CV but it was a bit surprising that Docklands was able to hold off his challenge at Royal Ascot. Aidan O'Brien sends over his French 2,000 Guineas winner Henri Matisse who was a solid second to Field Of Gold in the St James's Palace without ever looking likely to win. He gets the three-year-old weight allowance off the older horses but needs a big step up to figure. Aussie raider Carl Spackler was a fair sixth in the Queen Anne and it will be a surprise if he turns that form around. 3.45 BINTJEDDAH finished like a train when second over a mile at Newmarket last time and this longer trip should be ideal. The handicapper has been fair with a 2lb rise and there's more to come for William Haggas. Quebella looks a threat having run well in a Listed contest here in June before going close in a decent handicap at Southwell. Her mark of 87 looks lenient and she's capable of figuring in this company. Model Yuko makes her handicap debut on the back of a bloodless maiden win at Wolverhampton. She looks all about stamina and should improve for this longer trip. Ashariba was just over a length off the pace at Newcastle latest and has solid turn form too. She's a contender in an open race along with Music Piece who travelled well over 1m4f at Ascot last time before his stamina gave way. Ralph Beckett has a good record in this so watch for any market move around his Power Of Destiny . Templegate's tips FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

Athlone Town can catapult club onto European stage, but stiff Cardiff City challenge awaits
Athlone Town can catapult club onto European stage, but stiff Cardiff City challenge awaits

Irish Examiner

time4 hours ago

  • Irish Examiner

Athlone Town can catapult club onto European stage, but stiff Cardiff City challenge awaits

Women rule right now within the oldest League of Ireland club and Athlone Town can catapult themselves onto the European stage by scalping Cardiff City tonight (7.30pm). Despite the men's team languishing at the bottom of the First Division, their female equivalents top their national league and are in position to retain their title. Domestic demands are halted while this week's itinerary revolves around the club's first European exposure since the men's side hosted Standard de Liège in 1983. Women's manager Colin Fortune thanked the club's new investor, US-businessman Nick Giannotti, for helping the Town cement home advantage for this first qualifying series. It's only two months since an Irish woman, Katie McCabe, lifted the trophy for Arsenal. They take on a Cardiff side who've won the Welsh title three years in a row, outright favourites to advance through this one-off tie to meet Croatian side ZNK Agram on Saturday – also at Athlone Town Stadium. Athlone are content to be outsiders. Their squad is composed of many players across the Midlands regions but there's an international dimension, courtesy of canny recruitment by club contacts. American Maddie Gibson was a mainstay of Athlone's recent successes, their 2023 FAI Cup triumph followed by a first league title in their history. Another New Yorker, Kelly Brady, linked up this season, claiming the May player of the month and dashing to the top of the scoring charts. The striker was familiar with the Irish set-up from declaring through her parents from Monaghan and Galway. She's settled into life in Athlone, complementing her football by undertaking another passion, working as a Barista. 'Everybody has helped me feel part of the set-up and it helps that myself and Maddie are in the same house,' said Brady. 'Champions League football is what I watched back in America growing up, even if I had to explain to people back home that we don't get to play Chelsea yet.' Brady shone in the home-based international assessment but has yet to hear from Ireland manager Carla Ward. Slaying the Dragons would change that.

‘An unreal feeling' – Athlone's US import Kelly Brady on playing in the Champions League and needing a day off work
‘An unreal feeling' – Athlone's US import Kelly Brady on playing in the Champions League and needing a day off work

Irish Independent

time4 hours ago

  • Irish Independent

‘An unreal feeling' – Athlone's US import Kelly Brady on playing in the Champions League and needing a day off work

Her dad is from Co Monaghan and her maternal grandfather is a Galway man, so her roots in Ireland were strong before she landed in the midlands, to the extent that Brady played Gaelic football back in Connecticut. Those links will be clear to see – and hear – when family will make up part of the attendance on Wednesday night as Brady lines out for Athlone in their debut on the European stage. Town host Cardiff City in their Champions League qualifier, with another game – also at home – against Croatian outfit Agram on Saturday, should the Irish club outwit a more experienced Welsh team. It's a major occasion for Athlone to host the game, but it's also a big deal for Brady to play in a tournament she's only seen on TV before, either in the men's game or Katie McCabe's triumph with Arsenal earlier this year. "Just the name itself, names like Chelsea and Arsenal, all those big teams that are playing in this league. It's a dream,' says Brady ahead of her Champions League debut, also a first for Athlone women's team. 'As a little kid, those are the teams that you want to one day go and play for, you're watching them at home, everyone watches. I've gotten a few funny questions like, 'Oh, are you guys going to be playing Chelsea?'. Obviously not, hopefully one day we can work our way up, but it's great to be on a similar stage to those teams and those great, talented players. 'It's an unreal feeling. I think we've sold up to 1,100 tickets now. The excitement, the buzz has really gone around the team. It's exciting and we hope to get a good result.' The Irish background did help her to settle, but Brady has found her feet in Athlone: 'I've found it great. The girls have been so welcoming, the team, I think is doing great. We have a lot of talent in our team and that helps everyone out. "Playing with great players only contributes to your success individually and on the team. I've loved Athlone, got myself a little job here. My family has visited a bunch of times, and they love it too. It's great,' says Brady, who hopes her time in the league here can help her catch the eye of Ireland boss Carla Ward and advance her international career. Life as a part-time player in Ireland means that football income alone won't sustain someone, so Brady also works as a barista in a local cafe. She has already requested this Saturday off, hopeful they will have secured a weekend clash with Agram by then.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store