National rivals head for speedy Circuit of Kerry Rally
April’s Circuit of Kerry Rally marks the second round of this year’s National Rally Championship. After its mesmerising Midland Moto opener, the National Championship will undoubtedly continue its epic dices and duels in Kerry.
Regular Rally2 rivals, Josh Moffett and Callum Devine, will once again battle from the front in their Hyundai i20 and Volkswagen Polo.
Reigning Irish Tarmac and National champion, Moffett, showed his style with victory on last month’s West Cork Rally while Devine was untouchable throughout Midland’s opening National Rally Championship round
Darren Gass was bang on the money in Longford aboard his Citroen C3 Rally2. The Markethill man is edging closer to a top result and is seeded third on the Circuit of Kerry, an event he won in 2011.
Declan Boyle is a two-time Circuit of Kerry winner and will be hoping for a clean run alongside Welsh co-driver Patrick Walsh.
Daniel Barry, Daniel Cronin, and 2019 winner Darragh O’Riordan all feature amongst the near 30-strong Rally2 and World Rally Car field.
The Skoda pairing of Andrew Purcell and Shane Buckley continue their National Rally Championship campaign hoping to make it further than their stage one exit in the Midlands.
Leading the way in modifieds, Gary Kiernan is bidding for a hat-trick of two-wheel-drive victories. The Ford Escort Mk2 pilot faces stiff competition from Marc Alcorn, Richard Moffett, and Ed O’Callaghan.
Kevin Gallagher’s rapid run in the Midlands was spoiled early on by time-sucking spins but his Darrian will be one to watch in Kerry.
David Bogie, Gary McPhillips, and Frank Kelly continue the trend of top-specification Class 14 Escorts to tackle the fast National Championship stages.
The Circuit of Kerry crews will complete nine stages on Sunday. Find out what they can expect with Killian Duffy’s expert insight.
Mounteagle, SS1/4/7
The Circuit of Kerry’s opening test was used in 2019 and is quite a fast, committed stage. Narrow roads will initially greet crews through some bumpy sections towards a hairpin right.
The stage traverses a hill with blind corners after crests keeping drivers on their toes through the 12.8-kilometre test. Loose gravel on top of the asphalt surface provides another challenge.
Headley’s Bridge, SS2/5/8
Another classic that was used in the Circuit of Kerry four years ago. It’s famed for the footage of Craig Breen’s seismic lock-up in 2014 aboard his Peugeot 208 T16. His last-ditch handbrake wowed the spectators at the iconic Headley’s Bridge junction.
It’s a super fast stage that again starts off on narrow roads.
Desmond’s Grave, SS3/6/9
A longer version of this stage was used in 2021’s Kerry Winter Rally. It’s a nice stage but unfortunately, it has been shortened to six kilometres due to an issue further down the stage.
There is still a challenge in it, especially along the Glanageenty Loops. People will remember the corner that caught out crews two years ago. Damian Toner rolled his Ford Escort Mk2 on the tightening right-hander.
Generally, though, the rally consists of three fast stages.
Photos by D Harrigan Images and Roger Dawson
