Irish crews took three of the top six places in the M-Sport Return to Rally Stages event in the North of England at the weekend, with former National, Tarmac and Forestry champion Sam Moffett and his co-driver James Fulton bringing their Fiesta R5 home in third place overall. 

They completed the six stages in Greystoke Forest, Cumbria, just one second ahead of Irish Forestry title holders Cathan McCourt/Barry McNulty in another Fiesta. A puncture on the third stage cost Moffett ten seconds, and dashed his hopes of beating Welshman Hugh Hunter for second place, while the overall winner was local ace Frank Bird in a Focus WRC. 

Donegal pair Joe McGonigle and Ciaran Geaney finished sixth in yet another Fiesta. Moffett’s younger brother Josh, also a multiple rally champion, was out of luck, with his car having engine problems on the two opening stages. He was able to restart on the final four stages, setting best times on two of these. 

For the second weekend in succession, former Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year Charlie Eastwood and his team mate Salih Yoluc tasted success, bringing their Team TF Sport Aston Martin Vantage to a win and a third place in the International GT Open races at Circuit Paul Ricard in the south of France. 

M-SPORT “RETURN TO RALLY” STAGES RALLY AT GREYSTOKE FOREST, CUMBRIA, ENGLAND