Strong speed goes unrewarded on Rally Hungary

It was a tough weekend for the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy’s European Rally Championship crews after they all encountered issues on the gravel stages of Rally Hungary.

ERC contenders Jon Armstrong and Shane Byrne got off to a fantastic start aboard their M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2, setting the second-fastest time on stage two.

Armstrong’s effort over the rally’s first proper stage put him second overall and in a close battle with Italy’s Andrea Mabellini and Finland’s Roope Korhonen. A run of top-three stage times and his first fastest time of this year’s championship maintained Armstrong’s challenge for the Rally Hungary lead.

That positive momentum was to suffer an unfortunate blow on stage six when a double puncture forced the Irish duo to a stop twice on the 25.8-kilometre test. The six-minute time loss ruined their race for strong ERC points, but they still kept their foot on the gas.

Armstrong and Byrne posted another runner-up time on the next stage to round out Saturday’s action more positively.

Another puncture on stage nine negated a brace of top-three stage times on Sunday morning, but a stage win on the repeated run of Tes and a runner-up time on Rally Hungary’s Power Stage proved their loose-surface abilities aboard the Fiesta Rally2. Their never-give-up attitude earned them a move into ERC’s top ten after Rally Hungary’s Nagyloter finale, they had been 20th after their first set of punctures.

“It was a bit frustrating to finish where we did as we had good pace to be on the podium this weekend,” said Armstrong."

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“But it was a demanding, rough rally, so it was quite difficult to stay away from issues on the second passes of the stages. Since the stages were so fast with crests and bumps, the rocks and bedrock were quite hidden, meaning you didn’t have much time to react or avoid them."

“Still, we showed a positive pace, which we are really pleased with, and now we can focus on Sweden, which offers another different characteristic. I am enjoying driving on gravel, enjoying driving the Fiesta Rally2, and to be consistently setting top-three times all weekend is really good for us.”

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In Junior ERC, Keelan Grogan and Ayrton Sherlock also made a strong start to the rally, including a top-five time on the mammoth 25.8-kilometre Kisloter test. Grogan had climbed up to fifth in Junior ERC after stage five before a puncture on the next test led to a slide off-road, which forced their Peugeot 208 Rally4 to a stop.

With minimal damage, Grogan was able to return under super-rally regulations on Sunday and renewed his promising speed amongst the 14-strong Junior ERC field. The 24-year-old set a third- and two second-fastest times, including a runner-up time on Rally Hungary’s Power Stage. Grogan’s speedy return on Sunday helped him climb back into Junior ERC’s top ten positions.

“We are super happy to get to the finish of the rally,” remarked Grogan. “It was nice to show a strong pace on Sunday, particularly on the last stage."

“These were without a doubt the toughest conditions I have ever competed in, and it was a real shame to retire on Saturday evening, especially as we were trying to be as careful as we could to get through without any issues.

“There are definitely plenty of positives to take away as we turn our attention to round three in Poland.”

Craig Rahill and Conor Smith were also forced into retirement on Saturday when a heavy compression damaged their 208 Rally4’s oil cooler on stage three. The County Cavan crew, who finished fourth on round one, had been sixth in Junior ERC after Rally Hungary’s first two stages.

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Killian McArdle returned to Casey Jay Coleman’s co-driver seat for round two of the European Rally Championship. The Ford Fiesta Rally3 duo had survived the gruelling conditions, sitting ninth in ERC3, before being forced to retire with four stages to go. A delaminated rear tyre led to a broken hub on stage nine.

The MI Rally Academy was also in action on Sunday’s Tipperary Forestry Rally as Jack Harris and Aaron O’Regan continued to get to grips with their Ford Fiesta Rally4.

Harris got off to a flying start with two Class 2 stage wins, giving him a 6.6-second lead after stage two. The Donegal driver was leading the two-wheel-drive category and held 14th overall when he retired on stage three after sliding off the road.