Eyes on Tipperary as National Rally Championship intensifies

July 10, 2024 Rallyinsight

Josh Moffett and Keith Moriarty are aiming for a hat-trick of Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally wins this Sunday. A Tipperary success would be a much-needed boost to their National Rally Championship title hopes after dropping points on the last two rounds.

In fact, of the four title contenders travelling to Tipperary this weekend, Moffett is placed lowest in the championship, 16 points behind leader Eddie Doherty.

Doherty, and co-driver Tom Murphy, are seeded just behind Moffett on the Stonethrowers Rally and have hit a purple patch of form this summer. The Skoda Fabia R5 crew are on a streak of three runner-up finishes including a top points score last time out in Limerick.

Carlow Stages Rally winners Daniel Cronin and Donnchadh Burke are seeded third for round six of the National Rally Championship. They are second in the championship, a single point behind Doherty and Murphy.

Sam Moffett looks set to make his first start since a heavy impact on May’s Carlow Stages Rally. The 2017 champion’s tally of one victory and two runner-up finishes puts Sam one point ahead of his brother Josh in the National Rally Championship standings.

With dropped points to be considered, all four crews will be hunting for wins on the National Rally Championship’s final three rounds.

Desi Henry has paired up with Andy Hayes for Tipperary – could they be a potent mix in on the Stonethrowers stages? Jason Mitchell and Irish Forest pacesetter Jordan Hone will also be ones to watch.

The modified rally will be kickstarted by a trio of rear-wheel-drive monsters piloted by Killarney’s Rob Duggan, Wales’ John Dalton, and ever-improving Ford Escort man Michael Carbin.

Craig Rahill, Gareth Deazley, Tommy Moffett, Dylan Eves, and Jack Brennan will provide a scintillating front-wheel-drive battle as they vie for Class 2 credentials.

Onthepacenote’s Killian Duffy has had a look at the stages to round out our preview of the eight-stage event.

Nedans (15.2 km) – SS1/4/7

Nedans is going to be a super stage for the National Rally Championship crews to start off on. It is a typical Tipperary stage – nice, smooth roads that are really fast and committed.

One thing to watch will be the braking areas. There are a few slippery braking zones with loose gravel lying on the road and there are also a few tight corners that suddenly appear after medium speed bends.

Grange (15.3 km) – SS2/5/8

The Stonethrowers’ second stage is going to be another fantastic test on Sunday. It has similar characteristics to Nedans and might even be faster than the high-paced opener.

There are chicanes added to the mix with some slippery corners featuring throughout the 15.3-kilometre test.