Jack Harris and Aaron O'Regan clinched the two-wheel-drive title in the Irish Forest Rally Championship on the Dogleap Forest Rally, winning every stage in Class 5 and finishing 22nd overall.
Harris climbed to a two-wheel-drive podium finish and took the crown in a front-wheel-drive Ford Fiesta against more powerful rear-wheel-drive machinery.
"We're absolutely over the moon to have claimed the two-wheel-drive title at the Dogleap Rally," Harris said. "It makes it that little bit sweeter knowing we've done it in a front-wheel-drive car, competing against some much more powerful machinery.”
"We stuck to our plan from start to finish, kept the nose clean and stayed out of trouble. It's a brilliant feeling to see all the hard work and effort we've put in throughout the year finally pay off.”
"I'd like to say a massive thank you to all our sponsors, family and everyone who has supported us along the way. Last but certainly not least, a special thanks to MI Rally Academy for all their help and support throughout the year. Now it's time for a busy off-season as we get ready for what's next!”
Cavan's Craig Rahill was back in action in the Irish Forest Rally Championship for the first time in two years.
The Junior WRC and ERC3 campaigner took seventh overall and won the Rally3 class in his Ford Fiesta, with Academy co-driver Darragh Mullen alongside.
The Academy crew finished the day in style with a fourth-fastest time on the final stage, ahead of several Rally2 cars.
"It was great being back on Irish forestry for the first time in two years," Rahill said. "We had a positive run in the Rally3 car against a strong field of Rally2 cars and I'm delighted to pick up seventh overall and first in the class. I really enjoyed every stage and pushing the wee Rally3 to its limits.”
Mullen equally enjoyed his day on the County Derry gravel stages.
"We had a really enjoyable day in the Rally3 Fiesta," Mullen said. "The club put on a great rally with some brilliant stages, and Craig drove really well all day. A big thanks to Craig for having me on board, to C-Sport for a faultless car, and to the MI Rally Academy for their continued support behind the scenes.”
Casey Jay Coleman and Killian McArdle continued their step up to Rally2 machinery, this time in a Ford Fiesta Rally2. The Academy duo's times improved through the day and they finished eighth overall.
Academy co-driver Dylan Harrington was alongside Jack Brennan as they sealed a top-ten finish in their Ford Fiesta Rally3.
"Very enjoyable day up at the Dogleap Rally, we had a good steady run," Brennan said. "Craig [Rahill] was on a very big pace and with the championship in mind it was hard to get as close to him as we would have liked. Thanks to all the marshals and the lads in service, and to the Academy for all their guidance.”
In Class 2A, Tommy Furlong and Patrick O’Sullivan were fastest out of the R2 contenders, clinching the class title in the Irish Forest Rally Championship. The title success gives Furlong a Billy Coleman Award nomination and with it a place in next year's MI Rally Academy.
There was also success in Ireland's Night Navigation Championship for WRC and Academy co-driver Eoin Treacy, winning his class in the Cork Startrek Navigation Trial.
