Hone to make R5 debut in Cork

Junior British Rally Championship regular, Jordan Hone, is to make his R5 debut at the Cork 20. The 23-year-old will drive a PCRS-run R5 as part of his prize for finishing runner-up in the 2018 Billy Coleman Award.

“We’ve been trying to put the deal in place for a while now,” says Hone. “It’s great to finally be able to announce it.”

Hone hopes to complete a pre-event test in the car and has briefly driven a PCRS-run Hyundai i20 R5 as part of the Motorsport Ireland Rally Drivers Academy. The exact details of what car Hone will drive is yet to be confirmed.

“The JBRC has been our main focus this year. So the Cork 20 was the first opportunity I had to fully focus on the R5 drive.

“The Irish Tarmac Championship has had great R5 entries throughout the year so it’ll be a great chance to compare myself against these guys in similar machinery, although I’m only expecting to learn, develop and improve with every stage.”

Hone’s most recent JBRC round, the Galloway Hills Rally, ended in disappointment after he was forced to retire his car from a class-leading position. Alongside his new co-driver, Keaton Williams, Hone had controlled the JBRC lead from Stage 2 to 5 but a collision with a ditch on the outside of a long right-hander resulted in terminal damage to the radiator and brake system.

The R5 drive remains a one-off for now as Hone hints he still has unfinished JBRC business to settle in his Opel Adam R2. 

“I’d like to go back to the BRC with my experience now, but who knows what might happen. If other opportunities represent themselves, I will certainly grasp them with both hands like I hope to do in Cork 20.

“I’m really grateful for those who have supported me throughout the year: Motorsport Ireland, Billy Coleman Award, Premier Car Parts, and my friends and family. Also, I can’t forget about John Coyne and Sean McHugh for all their help and advice in making this opportunity happen.”

Adam Hall