Following the recent return from the prolonged Summer break at the Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally, the 2026 Trailer Parts & Spares Irish Forest Rally Championship will head North for the first time this season with a pair of much anticipated classics, the first of which is the Enniskillen-based Lakeland Stages Rally.

The race for the 2026 title remains hotly contested, with only two points separating the top two and several others lurking on the edges. With four rounds coming in quick succession in September and October, the competitors are faced with a busy run-in and being able to consistently score high will likely be the difference maker once the dropped score comes into play.

The main title contenders have all been consistent in their own ways throughout the season. Josh Moffett and Andy Hayes have moved to the top of the championship in their Hyundai i20 R5, building on a fourth place on the season opener and a victory on the Moonraker with another win in Cork. Josh has been on an unprecedented winning streak in recent weeks and has tasted success in Enniskillen in the past so will be looking to keep the good times rolling and build a gap at the top of the table.

That will be a tall order however as they currently sit only two points clear of Mark Donnelly and Martin Brady, who have the impressive record of being the only crew to score a podium on every round this season. A second place in Cork has kept them in reach of Moffett and the Cookstown man will be hoping that he can make good use of his experience in the North.

Jordan and Paul Hone suffered a setback with an early retirement in Cork, but back-to-back second place finishes in Sligo and Dungarvan mean that they remain in contention. With only one score from seven being dropped at the end of the year however they now have very little margin for error. Gareth Mimnagh and James Barry McCarney now lie third in the championship with three strong finishes from three, and will be looking to capitalise on any potential slip ups from those above them.

The Rally4 cars continue to lead the way in the 2WD section, with Jack Harris and Aaron O’Regan now six points clear at the top. With several of their closest challengers, including second place Ben McFall, missing the Lakeland Stages, their closest challenge will likely come from Ross Ryan who has shown some great pace throughout the year and currently sits fourth in the standings. 

Flying the flag for the modifieds are Shane McGirr and Denver Rafferty who made a welcome return to the championship with a victory in Cork and are likely to go well in the North, but will have their work cut out for them if they are looking to make a late title charge given they have completed less rounds than their 2WD rivals.

McGirr will face a strong Class 14 challenge from Paddy McToal and Mickey Conlon, both of whom have taken class victories so far this season. Class 13 is one of the closest races in the Championship with Hugh McQuaid leading Shane McCanney by just a single point, and both Mark Stewart and John Shanahan in striking distance. With a non-finish or non-start already under each of their belts and all four present in Enniskillen, it is sure to be an exciting battle for class honours.

The event will be a particularly special one for Championship title sponsors Trailer Parts & Spares, who are long-standing supporters of Enniskillen Motor Club and continue their title sponsorship of the Lakeland Stages which began way back in 2014.

Following the Lakeland Stages, the remaining rounds of the Championship will come thick and fast. The crews will return to the North on the 19th for the ‘Omagh Grand Prix’ on the Bushwhacker Rally, followed by the brand new Laois Forest Rally on October 4th. The Limavady-based Dogleap Rally will close out the calendar on October 17th. 

Want to keep up to date with the Trailer Parts & Spares Irish Forest Rally Championship? Check out the Championship Website at www.IRLForestRally.com, the online Sportity Noticeboard at IrishForestChamp, or check out the Championship on Facebook & Instagram.