Edwards and C&M Motorsport set for Irish Tarmac bid
Matt Edwards will attempt an assault on the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship in 2024. The three-time British Rally Champion has teamed up with C&M Motorsport to start the asphalt campaign.
The Welsh driver has impressed on sporadic Irish rallies over the last few years. Edwards has racked up two Ulster Rally wins and a comeback drive to secure a runner-up finish on last year’s Donegal International Rally.
They are results that ensure Edwards arrives in Galway with a pedigree that poses a significant threat to Irish Tarmac’s regulars.
C&M Motorsport, along with continued support from Lyons of Limerick, Pirelli, and Speedline Corse will form the basis of Edwards’ Irish Tarmac entry. He continues to seek out support to contest the full programme of events in a Ford Fiesta Rally2 prepared by NPL Motorsport.
“An Irish Tarmac campaign has been a dream of mine for a few years now,” explained Edwards. “I have had success on the Ulster Rally and been on the pace in Donegal and West Cork so it feels like a natural step to try to put it all together over a year.
“It is the continued battle to secure monetary support to fulfill it which always proves to be the stumbling block. So, I am thrilled with this opportunity made possible by the support of Marty [McKenna] at C&M Motorsport along with the longstanding partners who have stood by me in previous campaigns.”
C&M Motorsport is entering its third year of business, selling cars all over the world from Ireland to Chile to Australia. Taking pride in dealing with people across the world, director Marty McKenna has rallied for 20 years and stems that passion, along with the success of his 30-year-old C&M Motors business, into his motorsport operation.
“It is brilliant to embark on a full championship again,” Edwards continued.
“It will be my first since our third BRC title in 2021. A championship suits my approach better than a one-off event so we’ll be eyeing up a consistent year.
“Of course, I want to be in the title hunt at the end of the year but to be out again with the support we have means a lot. I love the sport and can’t wait to enjoy some close battles again.”
February’s Galway International Rally will take place over two days and 14 stages. The unforgiving West of Ireland stages are a true test of driver, co-driver, and rally car but it is one Edwards can’t wait to get stuck into.
“Galway will be a new rally to me,” admitted Edwards, “but the stages will be new to most competitors so hopefully it will be a level playing field.
“I am no stranger to the Ford Fiesta Rally2 so we will just have to see where things take us as the event progresses.”
C&M Motorsport’s Rally2 Fiesta will be available to purchase at the finish ramp of the Galway International Rally. The unique opportunity will include Edwards’ full rally set-up as well as a test with the three-time British Rally Champion.
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Photo by Mark McCullagh
