Co-drivers Mullen and McArdle set for British and Irish double-header

Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy co-drivers Darragh Mullen and Killian McArdle will compete in both Scotland’s Jim Clark Rally and Ireland’s Cavan Stages Rally this weekend.

The Jim Clark Rally starts with six stages on Friday evening. A further eight tests on Saturday bring the competitive distance to 162 kilometres for the third round of this year’s British Rally Championship.

Mullen and McArdle will then travel across the Irish Sea overnight to make the start of the Cavan Stages Rally, round three of the National Rally Championship.

Kelly - Left / McArdle - Right

The duo will be in direct competition on the Jim Clark Rally, as they go for glory in Junior BRC - Mullen co-driving for MI Rally Academy driver Kyle McBride and McArdle navigating Joseph Kelly through the Scottish Borders’ iconic asphalt stages.

Mullen steps up into four-wheel-drive machinery on Sunday, sitting alongside Brendan Cumiskey in the Volkswagen Polo R5 while McArdle returns to action with Ford Escort Mk2 ace Michael Cahill.

Mullen - Left / McBride - Right

"I got a call from Brendan on Monday asking if I could do Cavan," explained Mullen. "Of course I couldn’t say no, and it only meant one thing - when could we do recce."

"Thanks to Cavan Motor Club, who were very accommodating and allowed us to do an alternative recce on Tuesday before I headed for the boat on Wednesday morning."

"It will be a real challenge, from two days in Rally4 before a quick dash across the water to jump into a Polo R5. The guys have completely different pacenote systems, which can be a challenge, but thankfully, I have co-driven for Brendan before, so I have a good idea of his system."

"I am looking forward to the double-header weekend and embracing its challenges.”

Mullen - Left / McBride - Right

McBride and Mullen will be aiming for a return to their early-season success after recent retirements in Kielder and Killarney. The Peugeot 208 Rally4 crew scored impressive wins on Junior BRC’s East Riding Stages and the Stellantis Motorsport Cup’s West Cork Rally.

The 22-year-old from Donegal has fond memories of the Jim Clark Rally, where he recorded his maiden asphalt Junior BRC victory 12 months ago.

“I am looking forward to this weekend’s Jim Clark Rally,” said McBride. “I am the joint-leader in Junior BRC with two other drivers, and it will be nice to get back on tarmac to keep up the championship push."

“The stages are incredible over in Scotland, but they could be tricky if it gets wet. The night stages will be interesting too, which I am really excited about on Friday evening; it is a different and unique challenge.

“We have some knowledge of the event from the past three years, so hopefully that helps us this weekend. We will take it stage-by-stage, hopefully finding a good rhythm early on.

“A huge thanks to the MI Rally Academy and my sponsors for making it possible, as well as Darragh, who always does a top job on the pacenotes.”

Boyle - Left / MacHugh - Right

Attention will turn to the National Rally Championship’s Cavan Stages Rally on Sunday, with the MI Rally Academy crew of Ryan MacHugh and Declan Boyle set to make their second appearance aboard their Ford Fiesta Rally2.

MacHugh is seeded 26th for the nine-stage event filled with top-quality Rally2 drivers, a perfect chance to gauge his continual improvement in the M-Sport machine. 

Junior European Rally Championship co-driver Conor Smith will navigate for Canada’s Thomas Rogers on Sunday’s Cavan Stages Rally. Smith is seeded 52nd for his local event aboard Rogers’ Class 14 Ford Escort Mk2.

Coyne - Left / Sherlock - Right

Ayrton Sherlock will also be in action on the Cavan Stages Rally, switching from his usual Peugeot 208 Rally4 co-driver’s seat to Dylan Donoghue’s Ford Fiesta Rally4.