MATT Edwards says he is relieved that his search for a first Rally2 victory in more than two years finally came to an end at an eventful Circuit of Ireland Rally alongside David Moynihan on Easter Saturday.
An inspired tyre call proved the difference at the one-day event as the Welshman – in his first full Irish Tarmac Championship campaign – wrapped up victory and maximum points by 14.4 seconds.
He elected to carry two wet compound Pirelli tyres in the boot of his Ford Fiesta Rally2, believing their weight disadvantage would correct itself when the afternoon rain that was forecast arrived.
The theory proved correct as in the space of one stage – the 9.1-mile ‘The Hollow 2′ – he managed to leapfrog Keith Cronin, turning a 4.7 second deficit into a 5.6 second lead with two stages left.
With Cronin having no wet tyres, he was unable to match either the speed or times being set by Edwards and had to settle for second meaning his winning start to the campaign came to an end.
The result moves Edwards up to second in the standings – 19.5 points in arrears of the Irishman.
Both drivers are well-known to one another from their battles in the British Rally Championship; between them, they have a total of seven titles, with Cronin aiming for number five this season as part of a dual campaign with Mikie Galvin.However, Edwards – whose last visit to the podium’s top step in a Rally2 car came at the Ulster Rally in 2021 – could have a say in Cronin lifting the Tarmac trophy as demonstrated by his success at the Circuit of Ireland Rally, and his runner-up finish on only his second visit to the Donegal International Rally last summer.
“Of course, Keith is in a great position and is heading to Killarney in five weeks’ time – another familiar event to him, and one that is new for me,” Edwards told Irish News Sport.
“However, with a little bit more confidence, and more work, he will know from previous encounters that I won’t lie down just yet.
”The Ulster Rally win feels a very long time ago. Myself and Dave have done a handful of events since then and have come close to winning – but it has taken some time to build up the confidence and self-belief again.
“We have had limited time in the Ford Fiesta Rally2, plus our early retirement at the opening round of the Irish Tarmac Championship in Galway in February was a big setback for us.
“At that point, a result like the Circuit felt a long way off – it puts a lot of doubt in your mind – but everyone has worked hard behind the scenes and this is the reward,” he added.
Two-time Irish Tarmac champion Josh Moffett completed the top three to clinch €5,000 as the highest-placed Citroen C3 Rally2 exponent. A herd of cows earlier in the day which blocked his path and cost him the best part of half-a-minute was given back by organisers.
Omagh’s Cathan McCourt was fourth and despite puncturing, Kesh’s Garry Jennings came home in fifth. Both were elevated up the leaderboard following the retirement of Callum Devine who bent the rear control arm on his Volkswagen Polo GTI R5.
Jonny Greer was another casualty of the changeable road conditions as crashed his Citroen C3 Rally2 towards the start of stage six, and Desi Henry who slid off the road and into a fence on the final speed test.
Circuit of Ireland Rally – Top five finishers
1 Matt Edwards / Dave Moynihan (Ford Fiesta Rally2) 1h 11m 46.3s
2 Keith Cronin / Mike Galvin (Ford Fiesta Rally2) +14.4s
3 Josh Moffett / Andy Hayes (Citroen C3 Rally2) +1m 46.1s
4. Cathan McCourt / Brian Hoy (Ford Fiesta Rally2) +2m 11.5s
5 Garry Jennings / Rory Kennedy (Ford Fiesta Rally2) +3m 43.2s
