Josh Moffett clinches National Rally Championship in Galway

August 26, 2019
Josh Moffett clinches National Rally Championship in Galway Josh Moffett and Andy Hayes, National Rally Champions
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Josh Moffett and co-driver Andy Hayes in a Ford Fiesta WRC won the Triton Showers National Rally Championship courtesy of their start to finish victory in the Lady Gregory Hotel Galway Summer Rally.


They finished 37 seconds ahead of the Fiesta R5 of National Forestry Champion, Cathan McCourt and Grace O’Brien with Ian Barrett and McGee (Subaru WRC) 50 seconds further behind in third.

Moffett was quickest through the opening stages where his one and only rival for the Triton title, Roy White retired his Ford Fiesta WRC at the stage finish with a broken transfer box.

Moffett remarked that he wasn’t pushing and that his accident on last week’s Ulster Rally was at the back of his mind.

Gary Kiernan (Escort) was fourth and led the two-wheel drive category, his rivals had contrasting fortunes. Eves had an altercation with a wall on S.S.4 but was still only some 16 seconds behind while Pringle hit a bank and retired. Niall Maguire and Hugh Hunter, both trouble free, were sandwiched between Kiernan and Eves. Wood, Shane Maguire and JF Shovelin completed the top ten.

Moffett went on to secure victory, his sixth from the seven rounds thus far and that was more than enough to clinch the Triton title and the Vard Memorial Trophy. His victory in the Triton series completed a notable treble as he has previously won the Irish Tarmac and Irish Forestry Championships.

Shane Maguire (Mitsubishi), who was eighth overall won Group N and clinched the Motorsport Safety Team Group N award.

Shovelin won the Dunlop Mk.2 Escort Champions Trophy.

David Armstrong/Podge Newe (Escort) won the Historic category and in the Juniors, the Cavan/Roscommon duo of jack Brunton/Daragh Kelly won Class 16 and the 16A victors were the Kerry/Kilkenny combination of Colin O’Donoghue/Eddie Doherty (Ford Escort).

1. Josh Moffett/Andy Hayes (Ford Fiesta WRC)
2. Cathan McCourt/Grace O'Brien (Ford Fiesta R5)
3. Ian Barrett/Paul McGee (Subaru WRC)
4. Gary Kiernan/Ryan Moore (Ford Escort)
5. Hugh Hunter/Rob Fagg (Ford Focus WRC)
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