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Breen and Nagle impress in Belgium

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4 years ago

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PODIUM: Paul Nagle pictured receiving his Ypres Rally Belgium trophy from six-time Le Mans 24 Hour race winner and Belgian motorsport legend Jacky Ickx. Photo: Hyundai Motorsport Media

Craig Breen and Paul Nagle did their future career prospects the world of good with their superb second place finish on last weekend’s Ypres Rally Belgium.

The Irish crew are without a full-time drive for next season as they are currently on a car-share programme with Hyundai Motorsport.

Last weekend’s Belgian rally was just their fourth event of the year, yet they impressed team bosses by challenging for the lead on Friday and the early part of Saturday. They actually led the rally after special stage four on Friday evening.

However, team orders came into play on Saturday morning and they were told to avoid racing teammates Thierry Neuville and Martin Wydaeghe.

The positions remained the same until the rally finished on Sunday afternoon at the famous Spa-Francorchamps Grand Prix race way in Wallonia region of Belgium.

It was their second time in as many events that Breen and his Aghadoe co-driver finished on the second step of the podium following their success in Estonia last month.

“It is nice to have two podiums in the same year. I don’t think I have done it before,” said Breen at the post event press conference.

“Podiums help regardless. They help in every sense. For sure, it helps our cause and it puts us in a stronger position. Apart from anything, on the contract side, it gives myself and Paul confidence going forward. We definitely feel much more confident.”

As a result of Hyundai’s car sharing policy they will sit out next month’s Acropolis Rally Greece – Spaniard Dani Sordo will drive the car there – but the Irish team look certain to be selected for October’s Rally Finland.

Traditionally, Rally Finland is the point in the season where contracts for the following year are finalised and another good run there should see them secure a full-time contract in 2021.

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Two Rally Legends added to Rally Masters line-up

Killarney Rally Masters has confirmed two more high-profile additions for its event at Killarney Racecourse on Saturday, September 27. Irish rally icon Andrew Nesbitt and Swedish star Kalle Grundel have […]

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1 month ago

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4 September 2025

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Killarney Rally Masters has confirmed two more high-profile additions for its event at Killarney Racecourse on Saturday, September 27.

Irish rally icon Andrew Nesbitt and Swedish star Kalle Grundel have been added to the list of competitors.
Nesbitt will drive his famous Mitsubishi Lancer WRC, the car he used to win the 2006 Donegal International Rally. The Killarney event will be the last chance for Irish fans to see the car before it heads to San Marino for Rally Legend the following weekend. Nesbitt is a two-time winner of the Rally of the Lakes.
In a remarkable story, Grundel will be reunited with a man involved in a frightening incident from the 1986 Circuit of Ireland Rally. Nearly 40 years ago, Grundel’s Ford RS200 struck a young spectator who ran onto the road. The man, now grown, will meet Grundel for the first time at the Killarney event. An RS200 will also be part of the reunion.
The one-day showcase will feature 50 cars from the Group B, Group A, and early WRC eras. Other confirmed drivers include Billy Coleman and Patrick Snijers in BMW M3s, and World Rally Championship driver Josh McErlean in a Ford Focus WRC.
Organised by Killarney and District Motor Club, with support from Motorsport Ireland and Kingfisher Insurance the event will raise funds for the Jack and Jill Foundation and Laura Lynn Children’s Hospice.
Tickets are already selling fast and organisers expect a sell-out well in advance of rally day.

Rally Masters Ireland
Date: Saturday, 27 September 2025
Venue: Killarney Racecourse
Gates Open: 10.00am
Tickets: Adult €25, Family (2 adults + 2 children) €60, Under 18s €10, Under 10s free (with adult, must be pre-booked)
Tickets available now via Eventbrite: – subject to a booking fee
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/rally-masters-killarney-tickets-1561967971249

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Cannonball Supercar run route to Brehon confirmed

The Killarney stage of the 2025 Cannonball Run has been confirmed with more than 200 supercars and hypercars set to arrive in the town on Friday, September 12. After leaving […]

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1 month ago

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4 September 2025

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The Killarney stage of the 2025 Cannonball Run has been confirmed with more than 200 supercars and hypercars set to arrive in the town on Friday, September 12.

After leaving the Cork city lunch halt the cars will roll into Killarney at around 5:45pm, finishing the opening day at The Brehon Hotel.
Spectators will be able to view the cars at the car parks of The Brehon and The Gleneagle Hotel, with the line-up expected to include Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Porsche, Aston Martin and Maserati models, along with headline cars such as a Koenigsegg Regera, a McLaren Senna, and a Ford GT Heritage Series in Gulf Oil livery.
On Saturday, September 13, the convoy departs Killarney at 10am and will head for Circle K Ballysimon, Limerick, where it is due to stop for fuel at 11:30am before continuing north towards Sligo.

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