Two Motorsport Ireland Academy backed crews took part in Rally de Portugal with Josh McErlean and co-driver John Rowan finishing second in the WRC2 challenger category and seventh in the WRC2 overall class.

This equalled his career-best from Belgium in 2021. They were driving a Hyundai i20 N Rally2, prepared by Irish team PCRS Rallysport on a long and difficult event. McErlean and Rowan had to mind tyres all day Friday given there was no midday service halt. By the end of Saturday, they had moved into 12th place overall and knew that a calculated drive on Sunday would give them the result they wanted and deserved.

The second Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy car was driven by Billy Coleman Award winner Eamonn Kelly and Conor Mohan. The crew were given the chance to drive the car – only their third gravel event in Rally 2 car – A puncture and exhaust failure meant that they had to rely on SuperRally rules to get themselves to the finish after retiring Saturday with mechanical problems.

Nevertheless, Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy Co-ordinator Sean McHugh said they were happy with Kelly’s performance and pace over the weekend.

The rally also marked James Fulton’s return to the navigator’s seat. He joined Kris Meeke in the Hyundai Portugal Team entry. However, they retired on Friday with suspension problems