Talented Longford driver Shane Quinn chasing down leader in National Rally Championship
Driving a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 alongside co-driver Andy Hayes, Moffett delivered a controlled performance from start to finish to claim his fifth home event victory.
Josh Moffett’s victory in the Ronnie Hawe Memorial Monaghan Stages Rally over the August Bank Holiday weekend has placed him firmly in pole position for the 2026 Triton Showers Motorsport Ireland National Rally Championship with Longford driver Shane Quinn his nearest rival.
Driving a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 alongside co-driver Andy Hayes, Moffett delivered a controlled performance from start to finish to claim his fifth home event victory. It marks his third National Championship win of the season following earlier triumphs at the Birr Stages and the Circuit of Munster.
With three victories out of five events already secured, matching Monaghan native Moffett’s tally will be a steep challenge for his rivals over the closing months.
Longford driver Shane Quinn, partnered by Stephen Reynolds in a Ford Fiesta Rally2, remains Moffett’s closest challenger in the standings.
Quinn showed winning pace throughout the day, setting a fastest stage time on the middle loop and proving his maiden National victory is not far off.
However, a frustrating puncture on the opening loop dropped Quinn to seventh early on. He mounted a fightback over the remaining tests to climb back to fourth overall keeping his championship hopes alive.
The navigators’ championship race has taken an interesting twist.
Moffett’s regular National co-driver, Keith Moriarty, was unavailable over the Bank Holiday weekend, leading Moffett to call on his Irish Tarmac Championship navigator, Andy Hayes.
As a result Quinn’s co-driver Stephen Reynolds could hold a vital advantage in the co-drivers’ title race heading into the final rounds.
Kevin Eves and Chris Melly put in a strong performance in their Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 to finish third overall.
Eves traded times with Quinn throughout the afternoon and set the fastest time on the penultimate stage.
The podium result moves Eves directly into a prime position in the overall championship standings, with both Eves and Quinn demonstrating the pace to challenge for overall wins before the season concludes.
Late entry Tommy Doyle made a return to competition alongside Liam Moynihan, guiding his Hyundai i20 Rally2 to fifth overall.
Attention now turns to the Galway Summer Rally on August 23, where Moffett will look to move one step closer to sealing the 2026 National title.