Strong academy presence in Wales for Rali Ceredigion’s crucial ERC and BRC round

Eight Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy athletes will compete on this weekend’s Rali Ceredigion. The west Wales asphalt event is the penultimate round of both the European and British Rally Championship.

With Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy crews in contention for both major series, it is sure to be a weekend to remember across the Irish Sea.

Jon Armstrong and Shane Byrne arrive in Wales riding a wave of momentum after their scintillating drive on the Barum Czech Rally Zlin secured their best result of the year, finishing second to Czech legend Jan Kopecky. The result has propelled the Fermanagh native to third in the European Rally Championship standings and back into title contention.

Armstrong will be confident on Rali Ceredigion's challenging Welsh stages, having set top times on his event debut last year. The M-Sport driver's Ford Fiesta Rally2 will also score British Rally Championship points for the team as the championship battles intensify.

“I am looking forward to Rali Ceredigion,” said Armstrong. “It is my second year going there, last year was nice to be able to explore the event and to drive against some Irish and British drivers."

“Our pace was really strong last year and had the potential to get a good result had it not been for a puncture. We will be looking to get into a good rhythm this weekend and have a good recce as well."

“The route this year is very different from last year. There are a lot of new sections and new roads, which will make it tricky. We have to put our best foot forward, complete all the steps throughout the week, make a good set of pacenotes, and drive to them."

“It is nice to be competing there again with M-Sport and will be scoring points for them in BRC, which is a pleasure to do that.”

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William Creighton and Liam Regan lead the British Rally Championship battle and could secure the BRC title on its penultimate round if results fall their way. The Toyota Yaris Rally2 crew, competing for Castrol MEM Rally Team, knows a strong weekend is essential since the three-day event counts for 1.5 points in the series.

“It has been an incredible season so far,” said Creighton. “The competition has been intense, and every rally has asked something different of us."

“To be in a position to fight for the British title at Ceredigion is a huge honour, but we’re keeping our focus on the rally itself."

“This event is unique. The stages are technical, fast, and unforgiving, and with the ERC drivers here, it’s the perfect opportunity to see how we stack up against some of the very best in Europe.”

Click here to read the Creighton press release around this story

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The MI Rally Academy’s recent Junior WRC Rally Finland winner, Eamonn Kelly, will showcase his Ford Fiesta Rally3 in Wales. Kelly sealed a memorable victory on Finland’s famous fast gravel stages but will look forward to returning to asphalt this weekend.

The 26-year-old will be using the three-day event as a warm-up for his Junior WRC finale, the Central European Rally.

Kyle McBride and Darragh Mullen continue their Junior BRC campaign in what has become a fascinating battle with Joseph Kelly and fellow academy athlete Killian McArdle. McBride leads Kelly by six points in the Junior BRC standings, while Kelly and co-driver McArdle hold a 13-point advantage in the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup, adding extra intrigue to the weekend's competition.

“It is back to tarmac this weekend,” said academy co-driver Mullen. “I am looking forward to getting back in the Peugeot 208 Rally4 with Kyle [McBride] as we continue our push in a very close championship battle, where we aim to bring home top points."

“The stages look both exciting and challenging, but it’s a challenge we’re really looking forward to.”

Rali Ceredigion begins with shakedown on Friday morning before the Aberystwyth super-special on Friday evening. Eleven further stages on Saturday and Sunday will complete the action across 185 stage kilometres of challenging closed-road tests.

Aaron O’Regan will be in action in Fermanagh on Saturday’s Lakeland Stages Rally. The academy co-driver has teamed up with Conor Kelly for the opening round of the Northern Ireland Forest Rally Challenge. They will take on the popular gravel event in a Ford Fiesta R5.

“I am really looking forward to the Lakeland Forest Rally this weekend,” said O’Regan. “It is my first outing with Conor and also my debut in R5/Rally2 machinery. It is a big step up, but I am excited for the challenge ahead.”

Meanwhile, MI Rally Academy co-driver Conor Smith will tackle Sunday's Clare Stages Rally alongside frontrunner Gary Kiernan. Smith switches from the Rally4 machinery he competes in during ERC rounds with Craig Rahill to Kiernan's Ford Fiesta Rally2 for the latest round of the National Rally Championship.

“I am looking forward to sitting with Gary in the Rally2 Fiesta,” said Smith. “This will be our second outing together this year."

“Three fantastic stages lie ahead of us in Clare, and with Gary's expertise along with the knowledge I have learned this year competing in the ERC we aim to achieve a good result. 

Competing in this year's ERC has allowed me to build on my knowledge and expertise, as well as create new relationships that can lead to future opportunities."

“All of this would not have been possible without the support and guidance of the MI Rally Academy.”