Robert's Rally Buzz - September 2026
Moffett Wins Ulster Rally
On its 50th anniversary, the 2026 Ulster Rally returned to the classic tarmac stages of Co.Antrim. Following five years based in Newry, the Modern Tyres sponsored event move to Ballymena on Friday 7th & Saturday 8th August. There were 12 stages. On Friday; Knockboy (9.32 miles) Glendun (9.04) & Torr Head (7.90) were run twice. Day 2, Saturday saw two runs over Tardree (6.44 miles), Cairncastle (8.52) & Slemish (9.08).
The closed-road Ulster Rally started back in 1976 and since then has taken place almost every year. I have been involved since 1979 with timekeeping or as a radio operator, covering 44 of the 48 events held to date. The rally didn’t run in 2001 due to an outbreak of Foot & Mouth disease and was cancelled again in 2020 & 2021 when COVID-19 caused havoc worldwide.
This year, I was on start radio for the Tardree stages on Saturday. Joined by Victor, (and a fleeting visit from our locally based NI Chair; see photo) we had a quiet day and both SS7/10 ran perfectly and to schedule. The weather for both days was dry and warm. Incidentally, Tardree was one of the 26 stages on the 1979 Ulster!
In the main National Rally (ITRC) there was a fantastic battle for the win between Eddie Doherty and Josh Moffett. Doherty in his Skoda Fabia led for 10 stages before Moffett’s Toyota GR Yaris passed him on the penultimate stage at Cairncastle and went on to take victory by just 3 seconds. The pair now move on to the final round of the ITRC in Cork next month where they will go head-to-head for this year’s championship.
As well as being the penultimate round of the Irish Tarmac Championship the Ulster was, for the first time, a counting round of the 2026 FIA European Historic Rally Championship (Pre-2000) Due to its International status, this event preceded the National Rally into the stages. Unfortunately only seven competitors took part, all of them from the British Isles! Despite all the hype surrounding this addition to the event, no “International” competitors turned up. In fact there were more FIA officials present than competitors. Hopefully things can only get better; IF indeed the European Historic Championship returns next year. By the way, Eamonn Kelly & Rory Kennedy won the seven-car Ulster International Rally in their fabulous sounding BMW M3.
Back to the ITRC event, and as I said Josh Moffett & Andy Hayes won in the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. Eddie Doherty & Tom Murphy were second in their Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 while Cathan McCourt & Barry McNulty finished third in another Fabia after a rally long battle with new NI Champion Jonny Greer & Niall Burns in their GR Yaris. McCourt was five seconds ahead of Greer in the end. Best 2WD finishers were Jason Black & Karl Egan’s Toyota Starlet in seventh overall. Altogether there were 75 starters (12 Rally2/R5) of which 59 finished the Ulster National Rally.
On Saturday five Juniors/Micra’s competed over the six stages. Only three finished, with Aaron & Caolan Reid claiming victory in their Honda Civic.
The 2026 Ulster Rally has been hailed as a complete success with all 12 stages running on time and in perfect conditions. COC Wayne Turkington has praised all officials and marshals for their dedication, commitment and hard work which delivered another safe and successful rally that everyone involved can be immensely proud of.
Unfortunately Liam Regan who was competing, driving his own Skoda Favorit and finished in 56th place on the Ulster Rally, was seriously injured a week later as he and his driver William Creighton in their Citroen C3 Rally2 crashed heavily on SS4 of the ERC Barum Czech Rally Zlin. We all wish Liam a full and speedy recovery.
Down Rally win for Osian Price
Former British Rally Champion (and current BRC leader) Osian Price was a surprise late entry for the Down Rally this year. The Welsh driver, pictured on the right, was partnered by fellow countryman James Morgan in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. Although running with number 120 on the doors, they started first on the road.
Unsurprisingly, Price & Morgan won the rally by 35.4 seconds from the Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 of Jason Dickson & Neil Shanks. Dickson actually led for two stages but a puncture dropped him back behind Price in the end. Third place went to the Citroen C3 Rally2 pairing of Cal McCarthy & Niall Burns. Best 2WD combination was the fantastic sounding Ford Escort G3 of Lee Edwards & Sam Spencer, they finished in tenth place.
The final round of the 2026 Brown & Brown Northern Ireland Rally Championship, the Down Rally had eight closed-road stages (including 2 runs over the famous Hamiltons Folly) scheduled and was based in Banbridge once more. The NI competitors were joined by the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship, boosting the number of starters to 104. No less than 31 cars on the start list were class one Rally2/R5 machines. With the NI Championship 1-2 already decided, Jonny Greer and runner up Sam Moffett were non starters, so top points scorers here were Alan Carmichael/Arthur Kierans in their Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 who finished 7th. In the Protyre series, Jason Pritchard/Rob Fagg in 4th place with a Toyota GR Yaris claimed the top points.
My job on the Rathfriland MC organised “R Kings Competitions” sponsored Down Rally was to cover start radio on the 8.57 mile SS1/4/7 Thornhill near Katesbridge. The weather was good after a cold start. All went well and to schedule until 41 of the 104 competitors had started stage one. We then stopped the stage due to a serious accident involving car 32, the Toyota Starlet of Jamie Black and Ivor Lamont. Unfortunately, both crew members were transferred to hospital to be treated for their injuries. Lamont suffered most and I wish both of them a full and speedy recovery. Another casualty on SS1 was Osian Price’s MEM Castrol Toyota GR Yaris teammate Meirion Evans, seeded number two, who crashed heavily but, thankfully, without injury to himself or his co-driver Dale Furniss.
Due to all our services being deployed to the stage one accident, we were unable to start stage four on time, so that was cancelled. The 88 competitors left running would return later for stage seven which started on schedule and ran without a hitch.
Incidentally, the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 is the most successful machine on the Irish roads at present. The car has won every major tarmac rally in Northern Ireland this year apart from the Circuit of Ireland back in April! Kris Meeke won in Donegal driving a Yaris and Joss Moffett has just won the 2026 Irish National Rally Championship with his example.
Rally Diary
Sat. 5th Sept
Lakeland Stages Rally
- Round 2 … 2026 Brown & Brown MSUK NI Forest Rally Challenge
- Round 5 … 2026 Trailer Parts & Spares Motorsport Ireland Irish Forest Rally Championship
Organised by Enniskillen MC, sponsored by Trailer Parts & Spares and based at the old Grosvenor Barracks in Enniskillen. The event consists of three gravel stages run twice; Big Dog, Lough Navar and Ballintempo. BMMC (NI) are covering rescue and stage marshalling. Unfortunately I will not be available for this one.
Last years winners, brothers Patrick & Stephen O’Brien (Skoda Fabia) head a 90-strong (32 R5/Rally2) entry list followed by Irish Forest Championship leaders Joss Moffett & Andy Hayes (Hyundai i20) Mark Donnelly & Martin Brady (VW Polo) Gareth Mimnagh/JB McCarney (Ford Fiesta) and 2026 NI Rally Champions Jonny Greer & Niall Burns (Toyota GR Yaris)
Sat. 19th Sept
Bushwhacker Rally
- Round 3 … 2026 Northern Ireland Forest Rally Challenge
- Round 6 … 2026 Irish Forest Rally Championship
Ian Evans
It is with great sadness that I have to report that Club member and long-time rallying friend Ian Evans passed away on Sunday 17th May 2026, after a short illness.
Many of you will remember Ian as a Stage Commander on the Alwyn stage of the WRC for more years than I care to remember, the Roger Albert Clark, the Anglo-Caledonian, Galloways Hills, Scottish, Plains, Carlisle Stages, Cambrian, Clacton and East Riding Stages to name but a few and if he was not in charge he was assisting in the running of many more events. He was also the Chief Marshal of the Nicky Grist Stages for many years.
We can only imagine how our sense of loss is magnified for Debbie, Tru and Ryan, and for his family. We can only offer our heartfelt condolences and our support, both now and going forward.
In time, the pain will ease, but the loss remains and we will all be the better for knowing Ian and having him as a friend.
John Jones
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07766 723066
2025 Marshal of the Year
David Hodgkinson wins the British Rally Marshals Club Marshal of the Year Award 2025 (The Jimmy McRae Award)
The British Rally Marshals Club (BRMC) are proud to announce that the winner of the 2025 Marshal of the Year Award (The Jimmy McRae Award) is David Hodgkinson.
David became a member of BRMC on visiting our stand at Autosport International some 10 years ago and has supported the club ever since. A regular on BRMC stages, he can usually be found around stage time controls working enthusiastically whatever the situation. Always willing to help and assist.
The Jimmy McRae Award is presented each January and recognises a current BRMC member who has best represented the club throughout the preceding year. It is not intended simply to reward attendance, but to mark someone who has made a real difference.
So, if you know a BRMC club member who stands out, who really makes a difference? Why not nominate them to become the next recipient of the Jimmy McRae Award. You can do this at any time by completing the on-line nomination form, HERE. Just remember they must be a current BRMC member.
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