The Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy showcased its prowess at the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally last weekend, securing top honours across both the Junior British Rally Championship (JBRC) and the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup IRE & UK, making a strong statement in the British rally scene.
Rahill and Smith deliver a commanding win
Craig Rahill and Conor Smith stormed to victory in the Junior BRC class, putting in a near-flawless performance behind the wheel of their Ford Fiesta Rally4. Their pace throughout the rally ensured they maintained a solid lead, clinching their first British Rally Championship win.
“We got into a good rhythm this morning and a good pace and kept on it. The last few stages were about keeping it clean and tidy,” Rahill said. “We are happy with our pace and really pleased to claim our first BRC win.”
Rahill and Smith’s smooth, consistent driving earned them a 48-second lead over fellow Academy teammates Ryan MacHugh and Arthur Kierans, locking in a memorable result for the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy.
MacHugh’s stellar drive to second
Ryan MacHugh’s performance was another highlight of the event. Despite only making his fourth BRC start, MacHugh, paired with co-driver Arthur Kierans, delivered a strong showing to secure second place in the Junior class standings.
“I am happy with the result. I feel there is a lot more to come, but we only decided to enter [the championship] later in the season. With a bit more seat time, we could have been closer,” said MacHugh, reflecting on his rapid progress in the championship.
The Donegal-based driver’s pace and precision throughout the rally have cemented him as one to watch in future events.
Raftery and McKillop secure a podium finish
Completing an all-Irish podium sweep, Aoife Raftery and her co-driver Hannah McKillop delivered an exceptional performance in their Peugeot 208 Rally4. Raftery showcased her skills with several top-three stage times throughout the event.
“We really enjoyed the battle. The stages were lovely, and it is great to be back in the British Rally Championship, where it all started for me,” said Raftery, who hails from Galway.
Raftery’s experience in the FIA European Rally Championship proved invaluable during the longer stages, enabling her to push her Academy teammates Rahill and MacHugh throughout the rally.
“Our experience in the FIA European Rally Championship really helped us in the longer stages, and that showed on the day. There was a hot pace in the Rally4 class all day,” she said.
MacBride claims victory in Stellantis Cup
Meanwhile, Kyle MacBride and Darragh Mullen capped off their season by securing the win in the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup IRE & UK at the Cambrian Rally. Their result, which included a fifth-place finish in the junior class, earned MacBride second place in the final championship standings.
“This is a nice way to finish the year,” said MacBride, from County Donegal. “It was a very tricky rally, very loose in sections.”
Grogan and Sherlock shine despite setbacks
Keelan Grogan and co-driver Ayrton Sherlock demonstrated impressive potential early in the rally, leading the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup category before being forced to retire due to a mechanical issue on a late stage.
While the setback prevented them from challenging for the title, their early pace underlined the talent within the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy.
The Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally served as a showcase of the depth of talent within the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, with Rahill, MacHugh, Raftery, and MacBride all delivering standout performances. This all-Irish domination in both the JBRC and the Stellantis Cup underscores the Academy’s role in developing the next generation of rally stars, setting the stage for more thrilling battles in future events.