Two weeks after an epic Circuit of Ireland showdown, the NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship heads to its third round, Killarney’s Rally of the Lakes.
Keith Cronin and Callum Devine share a win apiece after 2025’s opening two rounds, with ITRC’s previous two champions set to go head-to-head once again in Killarney.
Callum Devine and Kerry co-driver Noel O’Sullivan lead Killarney’s maximum entry of rally cars after winning each of the last three Rally of the Lakes. The Skoda Fabia Rally2 partnership is in form too, bagging victory on the Circuit of Ireland, their first rally in six months.
Keith Cronin and Mikie Galvin looked invincible on the Circuit of Ireland as the West Cork Rally winners dominated the timesheets for most of the event. Brake issues and a puncture on the Circuit’s penultimate test cost them a chunk of time as they plummeted down the leaderboard.
A puncture also denied Cronin Rally of the Lakes success 12 months ago. The now Citroen C3 Rally2 driver picked up 10 stage wins from 14 and will be hoping he can renew his Irish Tarmac title push with similar speed this weekend.
Completing Killarney’s top three entries, Matt Edwards and David Moynihan will be desperate to string together a finish on the 15-stage event.
Josh Moffett and Eddie Doherty were two more drivers who lost out on strong Circuit of Ireland finishes. Moffett got stuck in a ditch on Saturday’s slippery stages while a double-puncture spoiled Doherty’s podium hopes. Both return to action in Killarney, seeded fifth and sixth respectively.
2022 and ‘23 ITRC frontrunner Meirion Evans is seeded fourth in Killarney as local co-driver Ger Conway joins the Welshman aboard the stunning Toyota Yaris Rally2.
Rapid young driver Shane Quinn tops Killarney’s Rally3 entry while Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy high-flyer Kyle McBride starts ahead of Jack Brennan, Joseph Kelly, and Kalum Graffin in Rally4.
Local aces Colin O’Donoghue and Robert Duggan will set a high modified benchmark in Killarney this weekend. The two Ford Escort Mk2 drivers start in front of Monaghan’s Johno Doogan.
With Rodney Wilton, McEvoy Motorsport Modified ITRC leader Damian Toner, and Vincent O’Shea all in hot pursuit, spectators heading south-west will be in for a treat.
Drifting star Conor Shanahan will take on the Rally of the Lakes stages in Declan Gallagher’s Class 14 Toyota Starlet.
