McErlean and Treacy finish eighth in Portugal
With the best performance of their maiden WRC Rally1 season, Kilrea's Josh McErlean and Killeagh's Eoin Treacy brought their M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 home in eighth place in the Vodafone Rally de Portugal, the fifth round of the World Rally Championship. Gradually building their pace over the 23 stages and watched by some half a million spectators over three days, the Irish duo were the top-performing M-Sport Ford crew.
The rally was won by French driver Sebastien Ogier (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) for a record seventh time as the Toyota team notched a sixth successive victory in Portugal. Estonian Ott Tanak was controlling proceedings until his Hyundai i20 N Rally1 lost time on Saturday's penultimate stage that dropped him to third. He recovered to finish second, 8.7s behind Ogier and 3.5s ahead of Finland's Kalle Rovanpera (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1).
Tanak struggled on Saturday's opening three stages, suffering a puncture on SS13 some six kilometres from the stage end. Nevertheless, he managed to retain the lead - 11.8s ahead of Ogier with Rovanpera a further 24s behind in third. Tanak remained in control and increased his lead over Ogier to 13.9s but it went awry on the day's penultimate test (Amarante2) when his Hyundai developed a power steering issue midway through the 22.1km test. He dropped some 45s and slipped to third.
Eight-time world champion Ogier inherited top spot and ended the penultimate leg with a 27.6s lead over his Toyota Gazoo Racing team mate Kalle Rovanpera with the unfortunate Tanak 8.5s further behind in third.
'It's not the way you want to win any fight,' said Ogier. 'We were both pushing really hard - that's the game." Tanak said, 'It's part of the game, I guess. Very unfortunate, but we gave everything from our side.'
Rovanpera eclipsed teammate Takamoto Katsuta on SS14, the latter then dropping behind Hyundai's Thierry Neuville, who slotted into fourth on the penultimate stage. Having lost time on Friday as he opened the roads, championship leader Elfyn Evans struggled to find any rhythm even though he had a better road position, he was seventh - 17.5s behind team mate Sami Pajari.
McErlean/Treacy moved up to eighth, edging past M-Sport Ford team mate Gregoire Munster on the opening stage with the margin increasing to 28.5s at the end of the leg. "I think you have to do a mind shift to not care, but obviously you want to protect the car and try to get the experience, so it's kind of the balance between saving it and going at it." said McErlean.
Tanak won all but the first of Sunday's six stages, in the process reeling in Rovanpera for second as he claimed ten extra championship points, five each from Super Sunday and the Power Stage. Sixth placed Evans still leads the series - 30 points from Rovanpera.
At the finish McErlean added, "Crazy rally as always, so nice to come to the finish and have some good times as well. Big thanks to the whole team, because four cars (M-Sport) without any problems is some achievement."
Oliver Solberg (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) won the WRC2 category, his seventh such victory in the category. Donegal's Eamonn Kelly and Monaghan's Conor Mohan (Ford Fiesta Rally3) were as high as second in the Junior WRC category until a double puncture cost them time, they eventually finished seventh.
Meanwhile, the Irish pairing of Killarney's Alan Ring and Newcestown's Adrian Deasy took the Munster Joinery liveried BMW M3 to a sixth place finish in Rallye d'Antibes Historic Rally, a counting round of the European Historic Rally Championship. They made a fine start to the nine stage rally and occupied second overall after the opening stage 10.23km stage. Weather conditions posed a tough challenge as they varied considerably from the service park to the stages that were some 50km away. They finished Friday's leg in eighth spot and made up two places on Saturday's stages.
The legendary Jari-Matti Latvala took a lead of a minute a minute and 6.5s into the final stage where his Toyota Celica ST185 suffered an electrical glitch that forced his retirement with French driver Tom Pieri (BMW M3 E30) best placed to take advantage.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Irish Independent
Hyundai is Wicklow's favourite car brand this year as top five revealed
The top five, best-selling new car brands for 2025 are Hyundai at number one, Toyota at two, Volkswagen in third, Skoda in fourth and Kia in fifth. Meanwhile, the top new car model for 2025 in Wicklow is the Hyundai Tuscon, followed by the Hyundai Kona in second, Toyota Yaris Cross in third, Kia Sportage in fourth and Skoda Kodiaq in fifth. With electric car ownership increasing, the most popular in Wicklow so far this year is the Volkswagen ID.4, with 60 already sold in the Garden County. Second is the Tesla Model 3 and third is the new Hyundai Inster. Although grey is the preferred car colour in Wicklow, intriguingly the number of new yellow cars registered has doubled to 20. A total of 17 of these yellow cars are electric. New car registrations in Co Wicklow rose by 8.56pc, higher than the national average of a 4.3pc increase, for the first seven months of the year compared the same period for 2024. Nationally, 26,787 new car registrations took place, compared to 25,676 last year. Registrations year to date are up 3.7pc from 108,531this year compared to 104,655 in 2024. 2,499 new cars were registered in County Wicklow so far this year, representing an overall market share of 2.3pc, compared to 2,302 vehicles last year, which represented a 2.2pc share of the market. The number of new electric car registrations in Co Wicklow also rose by 22.35pc from the 510 vehicles registered from January to July last year, to the 624 new electric vehicle registrations over the same period so far this year. Nationally in July 4,913 new electric cars were registered, which was 57pc higher than the 3,129 registrations in July 2024. So far this year, 18,542 new electric cars have been registered, representing a 33.7pc increase compared to the same period in 2024, when 13,866 electric cars were registered. Light commercial vehicles (LCVs) increased by 22.8pc (6,133) compared to July last year (4,995). Year to date LCVs are down 0.9pc (24,945). Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) registrations are down 18.8pc (380) compared to July 2024 (468). Year to date, HGVs are down 11.3pc (2,028). Imported used cars have seen a 16.8pc (6,803) rise in July 2025, when compared to July 2024 (5,825). Year to date imports are up 9.4pc (40,698) on 2024 (37,195). In the new car market share by engine type for 2025, petrol cars continue as the new car market leader at 26.90pc, followed by hybrid (petrol electric) at 22.72pc, diesel at 17.13pc, electric at 17.08pc, and plug-in electric hybrid at 14.71pc.
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Meticulously restored 90s Ford Escort driven by F1 star's dad hits auction for staggering 6-figure sum
The motor is going up for sale at the upcoming Silverstone Festival's 'Competition Cars' section and is expected to fetch over £350,000 A LEGENDARY rally car that's been meticulously restored is ready to hit auction - and could sell for a mighty six-figure sum. A 1997 Ford Escort WRC, which was once driven to victory by motorsport icon Carlos Sainz Sr. and his co-driver Luis Moya, is going up for sale and expected to fetch over £350,000. 4 A stunning rally car that's been meticulously restored is ready to hit auction Credit: Jam Press/Iconic Auctioneers 4 A 1997 Ford Escort WRC once driven by Carlos Sainz Sr., is expected to fetch over £350,000 Credit: Jam Press/Iconic Auctioneers 4 Sainz achieved two victories behind the wheel of the Escort in the 1997 season Credit: Jam Press/Iconic Auctioneers 4 Sainz won the World Rally Championship twice in his career Credit: AFP Developed under the World Rally Car regulations, this Escort, as well as its rivals of the time, had greater technical freedom compared to the series' older Group A category which limited factors like power, weight, technology and cost. In the 1997 World Rally Championship season, the Escort WRC was driven by icons such as Sainz Sr., Juha Kankkunen and Armin Schwarz. Under Sainz, the Escort claimed victories at the Acropolis Rally in Greece and the Rally of Indonesia as he finished 3rd in that year's world championship. Sainz, Kankkunen and Schwarz, as well as part-timer Jarmo Kytolehto, also scored numerous podiums throughout the year, notably at the season opening Monte Carlo Rally and the British RAC Rally. After 1997, Sainz joined the Toyota Castrol Team for 1998 and came agonisingly close to clinching his third world title. However, his hopes were dashed when his Toyota Corolla WRC broke down on the final stage of the final rally, leaving him to settle for the runner-up spot. Sainz is perhaps best known today as the father of Formula 1 star Carlos Sainz Jr, who currently drives for the Williams F1 team - having also represented the likes of McLaren and Ferrari. Iconic Auctioneers, the auction house handling the sale of this 1990s machine, will put the Escort WRC under the hammer as part of the upcoming Silverstone Festival's 'Competition Cars' section. According to their listing, the car underwent a full engine rebuild in 2020 using correct-specification parts and has had minimal mileage since. Brilliantly, it retains its original 1997 season livery - the orange and white of gas and oil company Repsol - preserving its authentic rally heritage. Carlos Sainz Sr interview at the Dakar Rally 2025 With its rich history and association with some of the sport's greatest names, the Escort is a rare - and pricey - collector's item for rally enthusiasts. Even out of rally spec, the Ford Escort of the 1990s has become hugely sought after. Indeed, back in June, a 32-year-old Escort sold for a massive £105,750 - over five times its original price. The red 1993 Ford Escort RS Cosworth only had one owner who had done just 12,530 miles in it and was described as in exceptional 'time warp' condition throughout, as reported by Luxury Auto News. Ahead of the sale, the listing said: "Motorsport devotee John Phillips acquired the Escort as an early retirement present to himself and it was undoubtedly his 'pride and joy'. "It lived in its own garage from the day he bought it, never came out on wet days and was diligently maintained as and when required until his untimely passing in 2009 from which point the Escort remained interred in the same garage until recently removed. "The history file is comprehensive and includes the original grey leather document wallet, the full complement of books and manuals. "Its original tax disc holder, documentation relating to the 'Options' purchase scheme and the dealer handover sheet, plus of course various invoices, MoT Certificates and later tax discs. "In readiness for sale, the cambelt and tensioner has been renewed and an oil and filter change carried out. "However with minimal use over the last 15 or so years, we recommend that minor recommissioning may be required to ensure that everything is exactly as it should be. "A rare and desirable homologation special in simply remarkable condition."
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- RTÉ News
July EV registrations help exceed interim Climate Action Plan target
New figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry show that 4,913 new electric cars were registered in July, a jump of 57% from the 3,129 registrations in July of last year. So far this year, a total of 18,542 new electric cars have been registered, representing a 33.7% increase compared to the same time last year, when 13,866 electric cars were registered. Overall new car registrations for July were up 4.3% to 26,787 when compared to 25,676 the same month last year. Registrations year to date are up 3.7% to 108,531 on the figure of 104,655 the same time last year. Meanwhile, the registration of imported used cars increased by 16.8% to 6,803 from 5,825 in July 2024. Year to date imports are up 9.4% to 40,698 from 37,195, SIMI said. Today's figures also show that petrol cars continue as the new car market leader at 26.9%, followed by hybrid (petrol electric) at 22.72%, diesel at 17.13%, electric at 17.08% and plug-in electric hybrid at 14.71%. They also reveal that top selling new Car in July was the Hyundai Tucson, while the top selling new electric car was the Volkswagen ID.4. According to SIMI, the five top selling car brands so far this year are Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Skoda and Kia. The five top new car models were the Hyundai Tucson, the Toyota Yaris Cross, the Skoda Octavia, the Toyota Rav 4 and the Kia Sportage. Meanwhile, the five top selling new EV brands were Volkswagen, Kia, Hyundai, Tesla and Skoda and the five top selling EV models were the Volkswagen ID.4, the Kia EV3, the Tesla Model 4, the Kia EV6 and the Hyundai Inster. Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General, said today's figures mean that the industry has surpassed the 175,000 EV target (BEV & PHEV combined) for 2025 contained in the Government's Climate Action Plan. Mr Cooke said this important landmark on the road to electrification could not have been achieved without the significant levels of Government incentives. "If we want to continue this momentum, these supports must be maintained and extended well beyond the end of this year," he urged. He also noted that Light Commercial Vehicle sales, which had been disappointing during the first quarter of 2025, have bounced back since then, with the July LCV market up 23% on last year, and are now less than 1% behind 2024 year to date. But Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) registrations are down 19% in July and down 11% year to date. "The mixed results and market fluctuations in the commercial sector reflect the current economic and political uncertainty," Brian Cooke added.
