Josh Moffett and Andy Hayes took their first win on the Corrib Oil Galway International Rally, after a very impressive drive in extremely difficult conditions.

At the end of the 15-stage event their Hyundai i20 R5 had 14.1 seconds to spare, over Welsh crew Meirion Evans & Jonathan Jacksons VW Polo R5. Evans had led after the first stage, but Moffett moved into a lead he was never to relinquish, despite strong pressure from his rivals over the course of the weekend. The other podium position eventually went to Callum Devine and Brian Hoy in a Fiesta R5, fourteen seconds further back from Evans.
 

Alastair Fisher and Cathan McCourt both saw their challenges hampered by punctures over the weekend, but nothing can take from Moffett’s superb drive. The attrition rate was high due the inclement weather conditions, and a lot of credit is due to the marshals who braved the most appalling conditions possible on the first day, with gale force winds and incessant heavy rain, to keep the rally running on time. The spectators were also out in force for the weekend, as the first two-day rally to run since the beginning of Covid, saw much interest from all over the country.
 

Despite the tough conditions it was a very successful return to the two-day rally format for Galway Motor Club, very competently overseen by Clerk of the Course Aiden Connolly & his team.
 

Top 5 International Rally Overall

1 – Josh Moffett & Andy Hayes                             Hyundai i20 R5                      1:46:40.8
2 – Meirion Evans & Jonathan Jackson                VW Polo Gti R5                     1:46:54.9
3 – Callum Devine & Brian Hoy                            Ford Fiesta R5                       1:47:09.4
4 – Cathan McCourt & Liam Moynihan               Ford Fiesta R5                       1:49:48.8
5 – Daniel Cronin & Shane Buckley                      VW Polo Gti R5                     1:50:29.2

Top 3 National Rally Overall

1 – Gary Kiernan & Darren O’Brien                         Ford Escort Mk2                   1:53:09.6
2 – Jason Black & Karl Egan                                      Toyota Starlet                       1:55:23.3
3 – Damien Toner & Denver Rafferty                      Ford Escort Mk2                   1:55:34.4