Tohill Takes 10th IRX Rallycross Title

Gary Donohue, Honda Civic, leads the field into turn one during the supercar race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

For the final two rounds of the Partsforcars.ie IRX Irish Rallycross championship drivers face a completely new track layout at Mondello Park. The new course would be the same that will be used in the upcoming and much anticipated FIA European Rallycross round in July. The weather was the best all season with very hot conditions but would cause its own problems with dust and tyre wear. The new layout however which would run in the opposite direction than normal but it is also very tight with few overtaking places. It was also a counting round of the British Rallycross Championship which brought a great entry of overseas drivers in the Super Retro and Supercar classes. Local men Derek Tohill, Peter McGarry and Logan Hoey were out to clinch their championship in the Supercar, Modified and Juniors classes respectively. 

In the supercar class Tohill was out for title number ten in a row! The switch to Peugeot power last year brought new hunger and motivation for the Dubliner and to make the amount of titles an even number was also an added quest this year. It would not be easy though as Gary Donoghue was back out in his Honda Civic as well as his team-mate John McCluskey in his civic. It would be all eyes on Kildare man Michael Leonard in his beautiful Audi S1 after his switch from the VW Polo he used at the last round. Also the other Kildare man Tommy Graham would be there in his Ford Fiesta along with fella Fiesta man and William Carey. Not forgetting English visitors Julian Godfrey and Tristan Ovenden.

Julian Godfrey, Citroen DS3, centre, leads Tommy Graham, left, Ford Fiesta, and Thristan Ovenden, VW Polo, into turn one during the supercar race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Thristan Ovenden, VW Polo, leads Julian Godfrey, Citroen DS3, into turn one during the supercar race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Tommy Graham, Ford Fiesta, during the supercar race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Gary Donohue, Honda Civic, leads Michael Leonard, Audi S1, into turn one during the supercar race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

It was a clean sweep during the heats on Saturday for Leonard avoiding any trouble while those behind didnt. Tohill and McCluskey came together a couple of times and let him get clean away but that said he was driving very well and clearly clicked with the Audi S1 and was unstoppable in the final and took the win comfortably by nearly 3 seconds. Sunday looked like more of the same with a clean sweep of wins in the heats and semi-final. However he didn't get the best of starts in Sunday's final and had to back out of a first corner duel with Tohill and Donoghue. Donoghue held firm over the next couple of laps and lead them with neat and tidy driving. Tohil and Leonard were however closing the gap but a mistake on lap 3 at turn 3 nearly saw Leonard run into the back of Tohill but quick reactions saw him missing him by millimeters  but the time lost was enough to end his run of wins for the weekend. 

Derek Tohill, Peugeot 208, during the Supercar race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Derek Tohill, Peugeot 208, during the Supercar race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Derek Tohill, Peugeot 208, during the Supercar race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Then as Donoghue exited the joker lap he ran wide on the exit letting Tohill through and with Leoanrd still having to do his joker lap it was looking good for the current champion. Leonard though was putting in a quick time and it was going to be close. He ran wide but it wouldn't have to been enough that earlier mistake had cost him too much. He emerged from the joker in second and Tohill brought it home for the win and with it his tenth Irish title. It is a fantastic achievement for the Dubliner who is in a real purple patch of form lately after his win in France a couple of weeks ago and the win also helped his chances to retain the British tile. He still remains the benchmark in Irish Rallycross and with Europe's finest coming in July he will be out to beat them on home soil.

Michael Leonard, Honda Civic, during the supercar race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

In the Modified Class another Dublin Peter McGarry was out to take the title in his VW Polo but he would have his work cut out to gain an over all win with the Bleasdale brother over from the UK in the very quick Vauxhall VX220's. He also had to keep an eye on his main rival in the championship Willie Coyne in his older but quick Opel Corsa. With the new layout it was hard to pass in a 4WD 600hp Surpercar so in a 300HP 2WD it was harder again so any slip up in the tight hairpins the time loss would be crucial in trying to go for a win. Try as he might bar one heat win McGarry could not get the better of Jason Bleasdale and on both Saturday and Sunday he finished second to the UK driver. That said he hard the better of his championship rival Coyne who was not in his usual form missing out on the podium on Saturday but finishing third on Sunday but it wasn't enough and the title went to McGarry. It is well deserved after driving very well all season and also continent which has clearly brought his driving up a level again.

Stanley Bovill, Ford Escort MKII, leads the field into turn one during the IRX Modified race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Stanley Bovill, Ford Escort MKII, during the IRX Modified race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Willie Coyne, Opel Corsa leads Ricky Alonan, Vauxhall Nova, during the IRX Modified race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Jason Bleasdale, Vauxhall VX220, leads the field into turn 1 during the IRX Modified race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Peter McGarry, VW Polo, leads Jason Bleasdale, Vauxhall VX220, during the IRX Modified race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Peter McGarry, VW Polo, during the IRX Modified race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Speaking afterwards the delighted Tallaght native gave his reaction to the weekend. " It was a tough weekend i love the new layout, it's nice to come down to mondello and have different course to race on. It is hard to overtake on and Jason was on top form but I had to think of the championship too. I am delighted to have taken here today and in the new car too after all the hard work the team put into it, they deserve it as much as me. Thanks to all who helped during the year and to my family who put up with all this rallycross!"

In the IRX Junior class current champion Logan Hoey had one hand on the trophy already and a steady weekend would give him title number three in a row. Academy driver Kori Bagnall was the star of the day on Saturday as he was pushing Hoey all the way. In the final he only finished less than half a second at the line and will be one to watch next season. Hoey had easier on the Sunday and once again showed why he had made it three in a row despite a couple of slides during the day that could have ended his run. He has been fast and consistent all year and even halfway through the season bar mechanical failure it was looking like it was his title to loose. Still he had to go out and do the business which he did by winning every heat and both finals to claim title number three in style. 

Logan Hoey, Mini,leads the field into turn 1 during the IRX Junior race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Logan Hoey, Mini, during the IRX Junior race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Hugo Loonam, Mini, during the IRX Junior race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Ailish Sexton, Mini, during the IRX Junior race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Speaking afterwards the laid back Louth man gave his review of the weekend." I am really happy to make it three in a row, it was really tight Saturday and survived some big slides to take the win. Sunday was a bit easier but still had to fight for it. Thank to all my sponsors and dad for all his hard work during the year."

The next Rallycross meeting is the big one with the FIA European Championship coming to town on July 18th and 19th where the locals will take on their European counterparts for the first time in 30 years.

Sam Bovill, Ford Escort Fiesta, during the IRX Modified race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Derek Tohill, Peugeot 208, during the Supercar race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg

Gary Donohue, Honda Civic, leads the field off the line during the supercar race. IRX Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Picture: Barry Cregg.

Make Mine A Double! - Jack Byrne wins latest Formula Vee races.

Jack Byrne, Sheane, on his way to wining the Formula Vee race at Mondello Park.

Annacurragh's Jack Byrne had a Carlsberg weekend at Mondello Park on Saturday by taking pole position, fastest lap and victory in rounds two and three of the Formula Vee Championship. It was a much needed confidence boost after mechanical trouble at the first round at Kirkistown in March which stemmed from late last year. He didn't have it easy though as he was pushed all the way by Gavin Buckley, Conor Melia and Kieran Hannan. 

To add to the mix a restarted race two meant he had to redo all his hard work again. The tight track on Mondello's national layout can make it hard to pass but also if you over defend you can get caught out and get nabbed in corners that aren't usually overtaking areas. Easier said than done though but a clash of wheels in race two with Buckley exiting turn one could have very easily ended in disaster for both drivers. With only fourteen cars out it is a sign of the times compared to a couple of years ago when there was usually twenty-five cars out each weekend. 

Jack Byrne, Sheane, leads Gavin Buckley, Sheane, and Sean McClements, Sheane, on his way to wining the Formula Vee race at Mondello Park.

That said those who were out but on a great display not giving an inch but all done in a fair way with no bad driving standards. Buckley came close twice at turn one in taking the lead on the outside line but Byrne held firm. His effort in the last three weeks wasn't going to be wasted in the gravel trap and only a win would do. Buckley's car still has the most speed out of any of the cars on the grid and he put it to good use down the straights but just couldn't find a way by. Cheered on by his biggest supporters his wife Michelle and daughter Eabha he took the chequered flag twice and in doing so but himself right back in contention for the championship.

Above: Jack Byrne, with his daugther Eabha aged 1 and Below: with his new army of fans after winning the Formula Vee race at Mondello Park.

Speaking afterwards the jubilant victor explain how his weekend went; " Its great now to get two wins a start the championship from here. We still have a few things to finish off on the car that we didn't get done in time for this weekend. The engine is strong and thank to Kevin Sheane for all the work he done on the car for us since Kirkistown its made a huge difference. It will be hard to beat Gavin in Bishopscourt and Colm Blackburn will be back too so it could be anyone's but we will give it a try anyway."

Kearney Kicks Off New Season In Style - Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane Championship

Richard Kearney on his way to winning the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park.

The long winter break was finally over for the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane drivers as they headed to Mondello Park for the first two rounds of the 2026 season. The sun was out along with new colour schemes and also a new female driver to Formula Sheane in many years. Mondello Park have now taken over the series led by Leo Nulty and a big promotional push is planned with lots of new interest already in the class by several newcomers. It would be great to see it grow back to a large field once again and keep the late David Sheane's memory and philosophy alive by having an affordable racing class for drivers. 

While Carlow man Kearney was the hot favourite for the win, it was anyone's for the other two places on the podiums. Qualifying backed the bookies odds as Kearney took pole position by a massive 1.9 seconds from Garrett McKenna and Sean Kiernan. With showers floating around and causing some minor headaches for drivers and teams in the morning thankfully they stayed away come race time.

Kevin Igoe leads Tom Foley during the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park

 As the light went out for race one Kearney took the lead from the off and lead the field into turn one. His fellow Carlow man Mike Dermody had to start from the back of the grid after problems in qualifying, but his blood was up and drove superbly in the opening laps to cut through the field all the way to second place. He settled into a race long battle with Sean Kiernan, Garret McKenna and Tom Foley. The rookie to the class Roisin Sweeney was showing no signs of first day nerves and her previous Global Light racing experience was paying off as she was in touch with the group battle for second. Giving that she had no testing prior to the weekend and her first taste of formula racing was in qualifying, it was a brilliant display. 

Garrett McKenna leads Sean Kiernan during the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park.

Sean Kiernan leads Mike Dermody during the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park.

By mid race she had got up to fourth setting very fast times just a half a second off leader Kearney but a spin at the final corner dropped her right back but she had made her point. Kearney did what he does best and puts in quick lap after quick lap and built his lead and was never in trouble. Behind him though McKenna and Foley had gapped Kiernan enough to duke it out in the final laps for the last two podium spots. Dermody who had got up to second couldn't hold on to his early momentum and dropped back to fifth. McKenna put in a quick couple of laps at the end to secure second from Foley. It was Kearney's race however and to show how hard he drove he set a new lap record with a 56.636 second lap.

Roisin Sweeney leads Kevin Igoe during the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park.

Tom Foley leads Kevin Igoe during the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park

Mike Dermody leads Sean Kiernan during the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park

For race two it was again Kearney who lead into turn one from McKenna who locked up his inside wheel and was close to colliding with Kearney but he stopped just in time and also hold on to his place. Sean Kiernan made a better start and got up to third hounding McKenna in the early laps but could not find a way by. Mike Dermody again made a good start and was up to fifth early on and behind him Roisin Sweeney and Kevin Igoe were having a great battle. Foley this time could not match the pace of those in front but still was close enough to pick up the pieces if anything were to go wrong.

Richard Kearney on his way to winning the Airportcars.ie Formula Sheane race at Mondello Park

Try as he might Kiernan could not get past McKenna and now Dermody was on his tail as well as Sweeney and on top of that his engine began to loose power. By half distance once again barring mechanical trouble Kearney had it in the bag. Though not setting lap records this time he once again showed why he is the reigning champion. It was hotting up behind him though now the race was drawing to a close, as Dermody had moved into third and Sweeney into fourth. Sweeney was again putting in the times faster than those ahead but just couldn't find a way past McKenna and Dermody. McKenna was up to the challenge despite several lock ups into turn one and held firm. Both second and third placed men stayed at the same pace ensuring neither would pull away or close in anymore. As Kearney crossed the line eight seconds clear he lay down the marker for those to match next time out. McKenna came home in second another good result with Dermody third, Sweeney fourth and Foley fifth.

  

The next round will bring a different challenge to the drivers at the fast Bishopscourt Racing Circuit in county Down.

Reynolds and McGrath Share The Spoils At Season Opener - 2026 Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship

Dave Reynolds leads Kevin McGrath and Roger Welaratne during the Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker race at Mondello Park. 

Mondello Park hosted the opening rounds of the 2026 Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker Championship at the weekend. Last season came right down to the wire with Kevin McGrath taking the title at a dramatic  last race decider. This season's opening round was as equally exciting with McGrath once again in the thick of it. His rival this time was Baltinglass  man Dave Reynolds. Sadly the grid has lost some of the regular drivers due to retirement but nonetheless the series will grow again in the coming rounds again with new drivers due to make their debuts next time out. 

The weather was fine but there were slight showers around which damped the track in places but that only added a challenge for the drivers as the took to qualifying. It was Reynolds who took first blood and an extra point for taking pole position. Qualifying was tight with the first three covered by less than a second. Reynolds lined up on pole with McGrath beside him. Richie Byrne and Roger Welaratne lined up on row two. 

As the lights went out it was the men from row two who got the better starts as Byrne and Welaratne lead the field into turn one. McGrath was third and Reynolds fourth and both were quickly trying to find a way by the men ahead to gap the other. After a hectic opening lap Reynolds had made his way to the front and his car sounded better than last year and it was visably quicker in a straight line too. He had Byrne between him and McGrath for the next couple of laps, giving him a chance to build up a lead. Byrne was in top form however and was not letting McGrath past without a fight. McGrath didn't want to drop time though and once past he began to chase down Reynolds. 

Richie Byrne leads Des Meehan during the Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker race at Mondello Park.

Over the next laps the leader had been caught and the front two had a comfortable gap to the battle for third between Welaratne and Byrne. It was a game of cat and mouse as both had better pace than the other in different sectors of the track. As the race drew nearer to the end Reynolds upped his pace and had enough of a gap to take the win by 0.3 of a second. Welaratne cam home in third ahead of Des Meehan who was back out after his big off at the final round last year. After purchasing the ex Jonathan Taylor car which finished runner up in the championship last year. He showed no loss of talent finishing in fourth and promised to be " higher up next time out once he has the car setup the way he likes it and more testing done."

For race two the grid was reversed and again Byrne and Welaratne lead the field into turn one. This time though Reynolds was a bit too eager and a while trying to pass McGrath in turn two he spun and dropped right down to last. Surely McGrath who now had got into the lead would run away with this one. Byrne and Welaratne once again battled  it out with Meehan in the mix too, for the first half of the race. Reynolds now with his car pointing in the right direction set about catching whoever he could. His pace was a lot faster and he began to close in on the field quickly. Luckily for him time was on his side. He picked them off one by one and without getting held up he could possibly catch the leader. He set the fastest lap of the race with a 1.01.1 lap which was six tenths quicker than McGrath in the lead. 

Dave Reynolds leads Kevin McGrath during the Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker race at Mondello Park.

Roger Welaratne during the Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker race at Mondello Park.

As the laps began to run out he was just on his tail. Welaratne was now comfortable in third ahead of Byrne but the first two positions still were not set in stone. With a lap to go Reynolds made his move into turn one and took the lead in a brilliant drive but the man from Naas was not going to lie down. Last year proved he could fight to the end and by turn three he made his move down the inside of Reynolds to retake the lead. Once he used the defending line on the final corners the win was his. He did and it was and it was fitting both men came away with a win. 

Des Meehan during the Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker race at Mondello Park.

Aaron Evans during the Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker race at Mondello Park.

Speaking afterwards McGrath was both happy and relived to have won. " Me and Dave a great battle all weekend with Dave getting an extra point for pole and fastest lap to my one fastest lap so it will be all to play for as we go up north next time out. We had two great race and that last one he got me into turn one but I made a move into turn three and thankfully was able to hold it to the line to take the win. Hopefully it will be like that all season long."

Reynolds was as happy to but annoyed with himself after coming all the way back to take the lead and loose it again" The car was flying, we did a lot of work over the winter, a lot of research, time in the gym so I'm delighted how it went today. We are now down to the 1.01's which we weren't at last year so that is a big step forward. Looking forward to Bishopscourt now and see if we can get a win there too and push the class on social media and build it up and get more cars out.

Kevin McGrath, centre, with his son Jack aged 2, and Dave Reynolds, left, and Roger Welaratne after Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker race at Mondello Park.

Dave Reynolds, centre, with Kevin McGrath, left, and Roger Welaratne after Bill Griffin Motors Irish Stryker race at Mondello Park.

Tohill Makes It Four From Four - IRX Rallycross Championship Rounds 3 & 4

Derek Tohill in action during a heat at the IRX Rallycross Championship at Mondello Park.

The third and fourth rounds of the PartsforCars.ie Irish Rallycross Championship took place at Mondello Park last weekend to mark the halfway stage of the series. Current champion Derek Tohill was back out fresh from claiming his second Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship at Lydden Hill earlier this month. 

The Supercar class is the top tier class in rallycross and Tohill would be joined on the grid by local man Tommy Graham who would taking his first run out in the ex John McCluskey Ford Fiesta. William Carey, Declan Kelly, Darragh Morris and the return of Shane Murphy in his VW Polo. 

The Modified class saw a great entry once again  with round two winner Peter McGarry back out in his Fully rebuilt VW Polo and would be looking to take victory in the modified class once again. He would be up against an in form Sam Bovill in his Ford Fiesta and Willie Coyne in his trusty Opel Corsa. The ever popular IRX Junior class saw a health entry of youngsters take to the grids in the usual mixture of Mini's and fiestas. Add the IRX Clubman, Rallycar, Autocross, Super Buggies, classes it would be another busy and action packed weekend. 

The weather was miserable on Saturday morning with heavy overnight rain leaving large Puddles of water around the county Kildare circuit. Visibility would be bad for the morning but by the afternoon it was to clear up.

Bradley Turner in action during the Buggie race at Mondello Park

In the supercars the Tohill Dominated the heats with three wins on the bounce to lead overall on times.That said WIlliam Carey kept him honest in heat two and three and Murphy was looing the rustiness and was getting quicker as the day wore on. The conditions for the early heats were wet but it was drying as the day went on but it still left drivers fighting to keep their powerful machines on track as they tried to find grip. As the day wore on the weather improved and the track dried but it also got colder too still leaving grip levels low.  

For the final it was Tohill on pole from Carey and Graham, with Murphy and Morris at the back with all the work to do. It would not be easy but if he wanted a chance of a win Murphy would have to get past Carey and Graham early on. As the lights went out it was Tohill who got the best start and lead into turn one followed by Carey, Graham, Murphy and Morris. Murphy wasted no time in getting past Graham and Carey and was on the same pace as Tohill. Tohill however was that fraction quicker each lap but by no means was he pulling away. As the others completed their joker laps ( an added section of track to be completed once during a race) the front two still raced away waiting to see who would joker first.  Murphy did and hoped to gain enough for  final lap and try and take the lead. He was close but the few tenths Tohill had on him proved enough to stay in the lead on the final lap to take the win. Tohill spoke afterwards " I'm delighted to get the win it was close between me and Shane but its also good for the championship and to get the hard work done now and use the other rounds to test the Hoosier tyres for the European rounds next year. It means we have room if they don't work as well and we drop points in those rounds."

William Carey, Ford Fiesta, leads Derek Tohill, Peugeot 208, and Tommy Graham, Ford Fiesta, during the Supercar race at Mondello Park. 

Derek Tohill, Peugeot 208, leads Shane Murphy, VW Polo, Tommy Graham, Ford Fiesta, and William Carey, Ford Fiesta, during the Supercar Final at Mondello Park.

Derek Tohill, Peugeot 208, on his way to winning the Supercar Final at Mondello Park.

In the modified class for two wheel drive cars,  it was battles between Peter McGarry, Sam Bovill and Willie Coyne to decide victory that entertained the crowd all day long. Wet weather conditions made it twice as hard as they have only two wheel drive unlike the 4wd Supercars. The heats saw wins for all three men but it was Peter McGarry who headed the field overall after the three heats . The early heats saw the slippiest conditions after the rainfall leaving the drivers fighting to keep their pocket rockets on track as they tried to find grip. The weather improved and the track dried but the temperatures dropped. As semi final one got under way in was McGarry on pole from Bovill with the hard charging Niall Carey in third. As the lights went out it was McGarry who got the better start and lead the field into turn one and lead the whole race long to take the win. It was Carey in second leaving Bovill in third. 

In the second semi final Coyne was on pole from very quick Pete Dornan in his Peugeot 206 and Kieran Curran in third in another Corsa. It was Curran who got the better start and lead into turn one from Coyne with English visitor Liam Doran in third. Curran another man not out for a while had pace early on but dropped off as the race wore on to let Coyne in to the lead which he held to the chequered flag. Dornan came home second after another almighty flat out drive which is great to watch as he flings the little French car around in efforts to stay with the quick men ahead.

For the final it was McGarry on pole from Coyne and Dornan. It would not be easy to pick a winner as all had similar pace. It was Coyne however who got . As the lights went out it was McGarry who got the best start and lead into turn one followed by Coyne and Bovill.  From the off it was a close affair between the top four all nose to tail providing great viewing for the hardy souls braving the cold and now near dark evening. It already a race where it was going to be who jokered first. Coyne went for it on lap two leaving McGarry off to put in a quick lap in hope to have an advantage over Coyne come his turn to joker. He made his move a lap later but was slower and Coyne got back into the lead and has to be said really driving the little Opel Corsa on the absolute limit in efforts to keep the modern Polo behind. No matter how hard McGarry tried he just couldn't get past and Coyne took the win. Coyne spoke afterwards " I'm thrilled to get that win, I drove as hard as I could to stay ahead of Peter, the car was on two wheels in a few place. It was great fun and I enjoyed it."

Sam Bovill, Ford Fiesta, in action during the Modified race at Mondello Park.

Willie Coyne, Opel Corsa, in action during the Modified race at Mondello Park.

Peter McGarry, VW Polo, leads Sam Bovill, Ford Fiesta, and Michael Coyne, Citroen DS3, during the Modified race at Mondello Park.

In the Junior Rallycross class for the stars of the future the current champion Logan Hoey like Tohill in the Supercars dominated the heats winning all three of his to finish first overall on times. As semi final one got under way in was Logan Hoey on pole from Hugo Loonan with Eoin Dooley in third. As the lights went out it was Hoey who got the better start and once again lead the way. As always he put in strong laps and wasn't challenged. They finished the same a the starting order although Ailish Sexton wasn't far off third.

In the second semi final it was Cody Mahon on pole from David McAdams and Sean Savage. It was Mahon lead into turn one and like Hoey put in the laps and pulled away easily. The battle behind though was close with Savage moving into second which he held by just two tenths of a second at the end.

For the final it was which had to be run on Sunday morning as daylight was too poor on Saturday evening, Hoey on pole from Mahon and Loonam. As the lights went out Hoey got to much wheel spin and dropped to third behind Mahon who got the best start and lead into turn one. Hoey's circuit racing experience showing through at turn two as he was up to second and then began to put in the times following Mahon and before taking the lead. He reeled off the laps to take another win and increase his championship lead. The rest will have to find something before he builds up a too big a lead to catch. Loonam got the better of Mahon to take second  with McAdams and Sexton rounding out the top five. In the Super Buggies Chris Kelly took the win from Ben Walsh and Paul Brogan. In the FIA Cross Car class Jack Newman took the win from Liam McMullan and Teddie MacPherson who battled all day. In the IRX Rallycar class the two citroen men Stephen Lipsett and Ken McGrath battled all day with Lipsett taking the win. UK visitor Abbie McGuinness again showed a clean pair of heals to the men in the IRX Clubman class to take the win from Thomas McManus and John Shaw. It would be great to see her move up to the modified class next season as I am sure she would be very capable in a good car to take victory there also.

Hugo Loonam, Mini, leads Cody Mahon, Mini, durng the IRX Junior race at Mondello Park

Sean Savage, Mini, in action during the IRX Juniors race at Mondello Park

Logan Hoey, Mini, leads Cody Mahon, Mini, during the IRX Juniors race at Mondello Park

Eoin Dooley, Ford Fiesta, Hugo Loonam, Mini, and David McAdams, Mini, during the IRX Juniors

race at Mondello Park

For Sunday the weather was dry and overcast but no rain in sight although it was again very cold. In the supercars the heats saw wins for Tohill and Carey overall on times While on paper it looked as Tohill was again in dominant form. In reality he was being pushed all the way in the heats from both Carey and Murphy. Tommy Graham was also getting quicker as he was getting more used to his new car. It was great to see Declan Kelly back out after three years rebuilding his beautiful Ford Fiesta. Barry Morris was also out in his Hyundai. Murphy had a mechanical problem in heat two costing him time overall while Carey won heat 3 to give him a front row start for the final. 

For the final it was Tohill on pole from Carey and Graham. As the lights went out it was Tohill who got the best start and lead into turn one followed by Carey and Graham. There was nothing in it in the opening laps Carey hounding him and looked quicker on the loose sections. Tohill jokered first with a lap of 44.492 seconds, Carey did the same a lap later but had a lap of 444.667 seconds, it was enough to just hold the lead when rejoining the track. Carey tried hard in the remaining two laps but just couldn't find enough of a gap to try a move. It was a thrilling race and Tohill worked for the win and deserved it. Tohill spoke afterwards " That was a hard one, fair play to William he drove superb and pushed me all the way. We had another great weekend four wins on the bounce leaves us in a good place at the halfway point of the season."

Derek Tohill, Peugeot 208, leads William Carey, Ford Fiesta, Tommy Graham, Ford Fiesta, and Shane Murphy, VW Polo, during the Supercar Final at Mondello Park.

Derek Tohill, Peugeot 208, leads William Carey, Ford Fiesta, during the Supercar Final at Mondello Park.

In the modified class the saw heat wins for Peter McGarry, Sam Bovill and Willie Coyne. Both McGarry and Coyne both had wins in their semi-finals. If the day before was anything to go by it should be another brilliant battle. Coyne lined up on pole from McGarry with Sam Bovill in third. As the lights went out it was Bovill who got the better start but as he exited turn one the car spun round and he could not get going and he was out. A shame as he could have taken it to Coyne and McGarry.  on the restart it was McGarry who got the best start to lead into turn one.  Again not much between the two men who were quick to pull away from Niall Carey in third. As with the final the day before it was about who would joker first and could they do enough to hold or take the lead when the time came. Coyne went first on lap 4. He was 2 seconds quicker on that lap than McGarry was on his which helped him make the overtake and move into the lead. Try as he might McGarry couldn't close in and it was Coyne who took the win and make it two wins this weekend. Niall Carey came home in third.

Coyne speaking afterwards ." It's been a great weekend to take two wins. I am just concentrating on the modified class championship and this year and this weekend will help that". 

Willie Coyne, Opel Corsa, on his way to winning the Modified final at Mondello Park

Sam Bovill, Ford Fiesta, leads the field into turn one during the Modified final at Mondello Park

John Rock lifts Sam Bovill's Ford Fiesta, after it broke down during the Modified final at Mondello Park

Peter McGarry, VW Polo, leads Willie Coyne, Opel Corsa, into turn one during the Modified final at Mondello Park

In the Junior Rallycross class saw Logan Hoey once again come out on top after the heats when he won his three. Cody Mahon and David McAdams were not far behind though and out to stop Hoey's good run of form. The Junior grid had an extra car as Luke O'Connell was out for the first time in the academy car. As semi final one got under way in was Hoey on pole from McAdams with Keenan Murphy rounding out the front row. As the lights went out it was Hoey who got the better start but McAdams was right alongside as the exited turn one.  Once out in front after the opening lap Hoey began to put in quicker times and pulled away and took the win.

In the second semi final Cody Mahon was on pole from Hugo Loonam and Sean Savage. It was Mahon who lead into turn one from Loonam with Savage in. A slow first lap from Mahon kept Loonam in touch but Mahon was just a few tenths quicker on the rest to take the win. Savage ran his own race to finish third. 

For the final it was Hoey on pole from Mahon and McAdams.Loonam was in fourth on row two but had the pace to get on the poidium. Again it was Hoey who got the best start and lead into turn one followed by Mahon, McAdams and Lonam.  AS with the heat Hoey just got into his rhythm straight away and began to put in the times. Behind the chasing three battled it out for the poidum spots and with a quicker joker lap Loonam moved up to third but there was no catching Hoey who once again took the win making it four in a row. Hoey spoke afterwards " The weekend went well apart from a wheel bearing issue in one heat. The competition is fierce and I just had to put my head down and do my job. Winning eight races out of eight was amazing for me and the team. I'm excited for next year and hopefully 2026 brings the same results to finish the seaon. Thanks to Dad for making it happen along with Fire Protection Specialists, Dynamite Fireworks, Swan Rock Quarries, Napa Racing UK and Duprint."

Luke O'Connell, Mini, during the IRX Juniors race at Mondello Park

Logan Hoey, Mini, during the IRX Juniors race at Mondello Park

Dean Deasy, Mini, leads Luke O'Connell, Mini, during the IRX Juniors race at Mondello Park

Cody Mahon, Mini, leads Hugo Loonam, Mini, during the IRX Juniors race at Mondello Park

In the Super Buggies Paul Brogan won from Ben Walsh and Ciaran Greenan. The IRX Clubman class final was won of the best races of the weekend with a grid packed with mini's It was Abbie McGuinness who took the win by a whisker from Thomas McManus. McManus tried everything to get by and looked to have the lead got as McGuinness was taking her joker lap but as they both headed for rallycross three McGuinnes just nosed herself in front and held it to the line and won by .348 of a second. Stephen Lipsett took the win from Pat Masterson and Glenn Montgomery in the rallycar class.

Abbie McGuinness, Mini, leads Tom McManus, Mini, during the IRX CLubmans Race at Mondello Park

  The next round of the championship takes place on November the 7th and 8th of March 2026.