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Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Top 10 finish for Armstrong and Byrne in Scandinavia
Taking the final top 10 spot in the BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia, round three of the European Rally Championship, the Irish pairing of Jon Armstrong/Shane Byrne (Ford Fiesta Rally2) had the satisfaction of knowing that they have the pace, if not the luck, to mount a strong challenge for victory in one of remaining five round of the series. They were third fastest through the Power Stage (final stage) where they annexed three extra championship points. At the finish, the Kesh driver spoke about his final stage performance, where rain made it difficult. "I had a messy run through, a bit of understeer in the first corners. I clipped something in the fast section so I was a bit careful there." "It was a frustrating weekend, we had some good pace." He also took time to reflect on last week's Jim Clark Rally (Scotland) and the Cavan Rally. "We had some tough events last weekend at home, especially James (Williams) and Dai (Roberts, who was fatally injured), also my old co-driver Brian Hoy, who had a bad accident." (Hoy and his driver Garry Jennings were both injured in an accident during the Cavan Rally). Norway's Eyvind Brynildsen was a first-time winner in a round of the series as his Pirelli-shod Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 finished 4.9s in front of the MRF Tyres Toyota GR Yaris of Finland's Roope Korhonen, who snatched the runner-up spot from local hero Isak Reiersen (Skoda Fabia RC Rally2), who was Brynildsen's closest challenger until the final stage. Indeed, the 21-year-old was only 2.8s behind with three stages remaining. Both Reiersen and Brynildsen putting their cars on two wheels on a left-hand corner on SS15. Korhonen tops the overall championship standings. Meanwhile, Tyrone's Jason Mitchell (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) made it three wins from three outings in the Sligo Pallets Irish Forest Rally Championship, his latest, in Saturday's Mayo Forest Rally, to move into the lead of the eight-round series. He secured a commanding 20.6s victory over the Ford Fiesta Rally2 of Waterford's Andrew Purcell, who fended off the final stage challenge of Tyrone's Niall McGonigle (VW Polo GTi R5) by a mere 0.6s. Despite a few moments, Purcell set the pace on the opening stage where top seed Mitchell was only 0.4s behind with McGonigle a further 1.7s shy of second spot. The majority of the entry received a notional time for SS2 as Mitchell posted the fastest time through SS3 to impose his authority on the event with a 10.6s advantage. Purcell lost time when he clipped a chicane and although McGonigle reckoned he too lost time, he was only 1.7s further behind in third. Tyrone's Stephen Dickson (Ford Fiesta Rally2) was fourth but struggled to get into rhythm. Reigning champion Monaghan's Derek Mackarel lost time when his Ford Fiesta R5 cut out as he approached a chicane on the third stage, he was unhappy with his choice of a hard compound tyre. On the repeat loop, Mitchell was able to manage his lead and with a trio of stage wins, took a fine victory. Purcell just about withstood McGonigle's late surge to claim valuable points to keep his title hopes on track. Dickson, Mackarel and Pete McCullagh (Mitsubishi Lancer E9) completed the top six. Elsewhere, Donegal's Damien Tourish (Ford Escort) in ninth place, was the top two-wheel drive finisher. In the J1000 category, Donegal's James McShea (VW UP) capitalised on the final stage retirement of long-time leader Cavan's Danny Brady, also in a VW UP. The entry list for the Donegal International Rally (June 20/22) was announced on Friday evening last. With the withdrawal of Kris Meeke on Thursday, the revised top ten is: 1. Callum Devine (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2); 3. Jon Armstrong (Ford Fiesta Rally2); 4. William Creighton (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2); 5. Matt Edwards (Hyundai i20 Rally2); 6. Josh Moffett (Citroen C3 Rally2); 7. Eddie Doherty (Skoda Fabia R5); 8. Meirion Evans (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2), 9. Sam Moffett (Hyundai i20 Rally2); 10. Declan Boyle (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2). BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia (Round 3: European Rally Championship): 1. E. Brynildsen/J. Listerud (Toyota GR Yaris Raally2)1h. 33m. 40.8s; 2. R. Korhonen/A. Viinikka (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2)+4.9s; 3. I. Reiersen/S. Gustavsson (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+9.6s; 4. A. Mabellini/V. Lenzi (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+22.0s; 5. F. Tore Larsen/L. Lundgreen (VW Polo GTi R5)+25.2s; 6. M. Johansson/J. Gronvall (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+50.3s; 7. M. Marczyk/S. Gospodarczyk (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+1m. 07.6s; 8. M. Ostberg/L. Karlsson (Citroen C3 Rally2)+1m. 37.8s; 9. S. Tempestini/S. Itu (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+1m. 55.0s; 10. J. Armstrong/S. Byrne (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+2m. 26.2s. ERC Championship Positions (after Round 3): 1. R Korhonen 60pts; 2. M. Marczyk 57pts; 3. M. Ostberg 48pts; 4. A Mabellini 47pts; 5. I Reiersen 40pts; 6. N. Gryazin 34pts; 11. J. Armstrong 21pts. Mayo Forest Rally (Round 4, Sligo Pallets Irish Forest Rally Championship) Ballina: 1. J. Mitchell/P. McCrudden (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) 25m. 53.8s; 2. A. Purcell/L. Brennan (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+20.6s; 3. N. McGonigle/C. McKenna (VW Polo GTi R5)+21.2s; 4. S. Dickson/B. Teggart (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+52.6s; 5. D. Mackarel/E. Creedon (Ford Fiesta R5)+58.8s; 6. P. McCullagh/L. Callaghan (Mitsubishi Lancer E9)+1m. 45.6s; 7. J. Boland/J. McCay (Ford Fiesta Rally3)+1m. 53.9s; 8. A. Dickson/D. Turkington (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+2m. 02.4s; 9. D. Tourish/D. McAlaney (Ford Escort)+2m. 08.6s; 10. S. Moore/T. McHugh (Ford Fiesta)+2m. 19.2s. Slig o Pallets Irish Forest Rally Championship (Provisional positions after Round 4): 1. J. Mitchell 63pts; 2. A. Purcell 53pts; 3. S. Dickson 52pts; +4. P. O'Connell & D. Mackarel 47pts; 6. J. Boland 37pts
Belfast Telegraph
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
I can't compete at Donegal while pal Brian Hoy recovers after horror crash, says Kris Meeke
Meeke was due to compete at June's event with the Fermanagh navigator in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 – the same car he has so far dominated the 2025 Portuguese Rally Championship in, winning three of the opening four rounds. Hoy is currently recovering from an accident that happened on the Cavan Stages Rally; he was sitting alongside Garry Jennings when their Ford Fiesta Rally2 went off the road and hit a tree. Jennings said the cause of the crash was due to the supermini getting out of shape over a small jump. Thanks to the quick thinking of fellow competitors Cathan McCourt and Barry McNulty and Declan Boyle and Patrick McCrudden, he said they both owed their lives to them. Jennings sustained a broken leg, sternum, ribs, shoulder and wrist in the incident, while Hoy has been receiving treatment for a broken leg and arm. As such, former World Rally Championship event winner Meeke has decided to pull his Donegal Rally entry, with the 45-year-old also citing the tragic death of Dai Roberts on the second day of the Duns-based Jim Clark Rally as another reason. Roberts' driving mate James Williams was conveyed to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where he has since undergone surgery, with his condition said to be stable and the prognosis 'positive'. Posting on social media, Meeke wrote: 'I had hoped to be out on Donegal International Rally this year, and Brian Hoy was due to co-drive. 'Unfortunately, Brian was badly injured last weekend in a rally with Garry Jennings. 'Out of respect to Brian and the tragic events on the Jim Clark Rally, I felt uneasy to search around for a co-driver who I'd no experience with. So, finally we decided to postpone our entry until the future. 'Huge thanks to all who put in the effort to put everything together. Wishing Brian Hoy and Garry Jennings all the strength in their recovery,' added Meeke, whose previous outing on Irish soil came in 2009 at the Midland Stages Rally. Meanwhile, a JustGiving page set up to support the wife and two children of Dai Roberts has so far raised over £126,900. Those behind the idea have said the money will go to cover funeral costs and provide ongoing support.
The Irish Sun
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Irish rally driver ‘lucky to be here' after horror crash as he thanks quick-thinkers for ‘actions that saved my life'
FERMANAGH rally driver Garry Jennings revealed he is "lucky to be here" following a horror car crash. Jennings and co-driving teammate Brian Hoy were hospitalised with serious but non-life-threatening injuries from the accident on Sunday's Cavan Stages. 2 Garry Jennings before the Joule Donegal International Rally in 2022 Credit: Philip Fitzpatrick/Sportsfile 2 Garry Jennings and Rory Kennedy in their Ford Fiesta Rally 2 during day two of the Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally Round 5 of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship in 2024 Credit: Philip Fitzpatrick/Sportsfile Their Ford Fiesta Rally2 car was rendered a write-off due to the force of the crash which saw it collide with a tree. Jennings was diagnosed with a broken leg, sternum, shoulder and wrist, while Hoy was taken to Dublin with a broken leg and arm. But He said: 'I have been rallying for 25 years and I have never been involved in anything as big as what happened on Sunday. Read More on Motorsport "There have been a few pictures of the car on social media and when I saw them, I said, 'No one is coming out of that alive'. "I am very lucky to be here – I honestly believe that I have missed my destination with death, that is how bad it was.' Jennings owed gratitude to four quick-thinking people. The duo were trapped int the car which was on its roof at the side of the road in a field for more than an hour. Most read in Motorsport At this point, fellow racers Cathan McCourt and Barry McNulty, and Declan Boyle and Paddy McCrudden, intervened to free them from the car and save their lives. Tragedy at the Jim Clark Rally: Remembering Dai Roberts Jennings explained: 'Without a doubt, their actions saved my life and the life of Brian as well. 'A group of spectators slowed them down and said that we were dead and not to bother checking on us. "Thankfully they did and myself and Brian are both alive to tell the tale. 'I was drifting in and out of consciousness when they arrived. "They were calling my name and when they checked my airways, they could see I was choking on my tongue. "They sorted that and stayed with us for about an hour until we were finally freed from the car. "Without a doubt those four fellas kept us going. "We both owe our lives to them."
Belfast Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
NI rally driver says he 'cheated death' after high-speed crash: 'I am very lucky to still be here'
Rally driver Garry Jennings on his near death experience in Cavan Stages Champion Garry Jennings believes he cheated death following a high-speed accident on Sunday's Cavan Stages that left him and his co-driving team-mate Brian Hoy hospitalised. The pair suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries in the stage four crash. The Ford Fiesta Rally2 car they were competing in was declared a write-off such was the force of the impact.
Belfast Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
‘When I look at the pictures of the crash I can't believe we got out alive... I am very lucky to still be here'
Rally driver Garry Jennings on his near death experience in Cavan Stages Champion Garry Jennings believes he cheated death following a high-speed accident on Sunday's Cavan Stages that left him and his co-driving team-mate Brian Hoy hospitalised. The pair suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries in the stage four crash. The Ford Fiesta Rally2 car they were competing in was declared a write-off such was the force of the impact.
