Title fight intensifies as Stellantis Cup heads for Cork 20

The Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup IRE & UK makes its eagerly anticipated return to Irish asphalt next weekend [4–5 October] for the Cork 20 Rally, the penultimate round of the 2025 season.

A cornerstone of the Irish rallying calendar, the Cork 20 is famed for its high-speed, technical stages and unpredictable autumn weather, and with 15 stages and over 200 kilometres of flat-out competition ahead, it’s set to be a defining weekend in the battle for one of the sport’s most coveted prizes.

Heading into Cork, Joe Kelly sits atop the standings in his Peugeot 208 Rally4, co-driven by Kilian McArdle. Kelly has been the picture of consistency all season, combining strong pace with solid finishes to keep himself at the sharp end of the title fight. He has amassed a six-point cushion over his closest rival, but the pressure is well and truly on after a narrow defeat at Rali Ceredigion, where he was denied victory by just 4.1 seconds.

That win went to Kyle McBride and Darragh Mullen, the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy crew who have been flying on the sealed surface tests this year. McBride already has wins in Cork and Donegal under his belt, but his breakthrough in Wales, his first Stellantis Cup victory outside of Ireland this season, has reignited his championship hopes. Now tied with Kelly on three victories apiece, McBride heads to Cork knowing that another strong result could swing momentum firmly in his favour ahead of the season finale.

While the championship has largely been a two-horse race, Kalum Graffin and Mark McGeehan remain mathematically in contention. Graffin showed impressive pace early in Ceredigion, running second overall before the infamous Y Diafol stage bit back, forcing him into retirement. Although he was able to rejoin under Super Rally regulations to claim valuable points and a podium finish, his title chances are now slim. To stay in the fight, Graffin will need to score maximum points in Cork and hope that both Kelly and McBride run into trouble, but as Irish rally fans know well, nothing can be taken for granted on the Cork lanes.

Adding further intrigue to the entry is the comeback of David Herbert, contesting his first Stellantis Cup event since the Rally of the Lakes back in May. Herbert has shown flashes of pace on Irish asphalt, and his return bolsters the competitive field. With no championship pressure weighing him down, he could be the spoiler in the title fight, stealing points or even a podium that could prove critical in the final standings.

The Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup IRE & UK has quickly become one of the most prestigious one-make series in British and Irish rallying. With backing from Race & Rally, Michelin Motorsport, Protyre Motorsport Ireland and LP Tents, the Cup carries a total prize pool of €40,000, with event-by-event rewards keeping the competition fierce. 

But the ultimate prize is what has the drivers pushing beyond their limits: a fully supported step into the FIA European Rally Championship in 2026, with championship registration, entries, and tyres provided for five ERC rounds. For ambitious young drivers, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

For more information on the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup IRE & UK visit: https://stellantismotorsportcup.com/