It was another fantastic trip and finish for Ireland’s rally contingent at this year's Rally Escort Special, based around the scenic Lacs de l'Eau d'Heure in Belgium - a weekend that turned into a remarkable family triumph for the O'Callaghan household.
Leading the charge for Women in Motorsport was the all-female crew of driver Hazel O'Callaghan and co-driver Mairéad Duane, both Limerick Motor Club Members.
The pair battled through demanding, highly technical stages alongside 21 other Irish crews in an impressive 106-car field. The strong Irish presence also featured two father-and-daughter duos: Jenna Mulcaire navigating alongside her father, Liam, and Lauren Kelly co-driving for Frank Kelly- a driver who is no stranger to this iconic event.
Tricky pace notes were a major talking point across the service park. Off-road forest sections, maze-like village streets, tight chicanes, and narrow hairpins tested even the most experienced competitors. Through it all, Hazel's remarkable capability was never in question, delivering a drive that demonstrated exactly why she remains one of Ireland's top female drivers.
Delivering a faultless performance from start to finish, O'Callaghan and Duane brought home another superb result to cap off a brilliant weekend behind the wheel.
To make the trip even more memorable, the rally became a true family celebration on the leaderboard. Hazel’s son, Christopher, claimed the overall rally victory alongside co-driver JJ Cremin, while her husband, Ed O'Callaghan, brought his car home in a brilliant 6th overall with co-driver Kaine Treanor.
