The Stellantis Rally Cup Ireland roars back into action this weekend as the series heads to the fast and technical lanes of the Carlow Stages Rally for round two of an already fiercely competitive 2026 campaign.
Following a spectacular curtain-raiser at the Birr Stages Rally last month, the all-new Stellantis Rally Cup Ireland has firmly established itself as one of the most exciting one-make style championships in Irish rallying, with another strong Rally4 entry set to battle for honours on asphalt once again.
Promoted by Race & Rally and supported by Michelin Motorsport, the series continues to attract a mix of emerging talent, experienced competitors and ambitious newcomers, all chasing a funded drive at the Hungarian Zemplén Rally and an exclusive Lancia Ypsilon HF Rally2 test at the end of the season.
Round one saw Cavan’s Oran England and co-driver Darragh Mullen make history by claiming the inaugural Stellantis Rally Cup Ireland victory aboard their Peugeot 208 Rally4. The pair delivered an assured performance across the demanding Birr stages, eventually taking victory by 43 seconds after a day-long battle at the front.
England and Mullen arrive in Carlow leading the standings and full of confidence, but with the competition now fully up to speed in the new-look series, they can expect intense pressure throughout the event.
Robert Cronin and Paddy Heffernan impressed greatly on the opening round, taking their Opel Corsa Rally4 to second overall after a mature and consistent drive. Danny Brady and Liam Callaghan also turned heads with a superb late-rally charge to secure the final podium position, underlining the pace they possess on asphalt.
Elsewhere, several crews showed strong speed at Birr and will be aiming to convert that pace into results this weekend. Jack Byrne endured frustrating luck after leading early on before a puncture dropped him down the order, while Ross Hunter and Dean Murphy both demonstrated impressive pace throughout the event. John O’Rourke also returns in his Opel Corsa, eager to build his pace in the series.
The Carlow stages also welcomes two exciting additions to the championship field.
Jack Kennedy and Dylan Harrington make the step up to Rally4 machinery after a hugely successful spell in Fiesta R2 competition. The pair arrive as reigning Irish National Championship Class 2A and Junior 1600 champions and will be eager to make an immediate impression in their debut Stellantis Rally Cup Ireland outing.
Another highly anticipated debut comes from Jack Fennessy and Joe O’Sullivan. Fennessy only began rallying in 2024 but now takes a significant step forward by piloting a Peugeot 208 Rally4 for the first time this weekend. Despite his relative inexperience, the 30-year-old has already shown impressive progression and will undoubtedly be one to watch as he adapts to four-wheel-drive competition.
With valuable prize vouchers once again on offer and the championship battle beginning to take shape, the Carlow Stages Rally promises another thrilling chapter in what is already shaping up to be a spectacular inaugural Stellantis Rally Cup Ireland season.
