Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2026 Season, episode 6. In this episode, we look ahead to the Fivemiletown Spring Stages Rally, organised by Omagh Motor Club and forming a round of the NI Gravel Rally Challenge. We’re joined by Clerk of the Course Ronnie McAleer and Deputy Clerk of the Course Lewis Boyd to discuss the event preparations, the stages and what competitors can expect. We also pre...

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2026 Season, episode 5. We look back at the opening round of the Irish Forestry Championship, the Yeats Ridge Forestry Rally, with winning co-driver Martin Brady, 2nd placed Keelan Grogan (competing for the first time on gravel in a Rally2 Fiesta), and 3rd placed Jordan Hone, who debuted his Skoda Fabia RS Rally2. We are joined by Declan O’Keeffe, Carrie Ryan,...

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2026 Season, episode 4. In this episode, we look back at the dramatic Corrib Oil Galway Rally with overall winner Callum Devine, who shares his thoughts on the season opener. Galway has definitely set a high bar for the first round of the NAPA Irish Rally Tarmac Championship. We are also joined by second-placed co-driver Tom Murphy and winning two-wheel-drive c...

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2026 Season, episode 3. Helen Tait Wright and Marcella Kirk talk to us about their recent exploits on the 2026 Dakar Rally, taking on more than 8,000 kilometres of punishing terrain, extreme temperatures, and relentless navigation challenges, against a field dominated by seasoned international teams, they secured an impressive finish in their class in their spe...

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast. Season 2026, Episode 2. In this episode, we look ahead to an exciting 2026 WRC season with Hyundai driver Hayden Paddon as he makes his return to the World Rally Championship after an eight year absence. We also hear from award winning motorsport journalist Luke Barry then we speak to Hyundai Chief Engineer Jamie McMillan, each offering their unique insights as...

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast. Episode One   The 2026 season kicks off with a celebration of European Historic rallying. In episode one, we turn the spotlight on the FIA European Historic Rally Championship alongside father and son Ernie and Will Graham, Fintan McGrady, Barney Mitchell, Tim Metcalfe, Dean Beckett, and Alan Bolton. Our guests share their experiences of competing on some of Eu...

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast. 2025 Season, episode 54. We sit down with Josh McErlean, Eoin Treacy, Jon Armstrong and Shane Byrne following their confirmation as part of the M-Sport World Rally Team’s 2026 WRC line-up. The lads share their initial reactions, discuss what the opportunity means for their careers, and outline the preparation and expectations as they look ahead to the challenge...

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast. 2025 Season, episode 53. Craig Rahill and Conor Smith talk to us about their exciting announcement to step up to the Junior World Rally Championship for the 2026 season in a Fiesta Rally3. Craig & Conor’s rookie season in this year’s Junior European Rally Championship saw them finished third overall, voted FIA ERC Rookie of the Year, and also secure the fir...

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 52. A special episode this week as M-Sport confirms its driver line-up for the 2026 World Rally Championship. Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy return to the team following a breakthrough season, underlining M-Sport’s confidence in one of the championship’s most promising partnerships. We also look ahead to an exciting new chapter as Jon Armstr...

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 51. Part two of ‘In conversation with Gerry McGarrity’. We continue our deep dive into the career of one of Irish rallying’s most influential figures. In this episode, Gerry reflects on his work with emerging talent and the pivotal role he played in the development of drivers, including Kris Meeke, Garry Jennings, Gareth McHale, Alastair Fi...

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 50. In conversation with Gerry McGarrity, part one. Gerry is known for his dedication, skill, and tenacity. Based in Fermanagh, he has spent decades earning respect as a rally driver, a motorsport preparation expert, and a mentor for young talent. Among the many drivers he guided, none felt his influence more strongly than Mark Fisher. Gerr...

Kruncing Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 49. Winners of the Killarney Historic Rally, Donagh Kelly & Rory Kennedy, join us to talk about their win in the BMW M3 – a poignant victory for Rory, who won the Killarney Rally of the Lakes 35 years ago alongside Bertie Fisher in a similar BMW M3. Modified winners in Killarney, Colin O’Donoghue & Kieran O’Donoghue chat about their...

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 48. We look back at the recent Roger Albert Clark (RAC) Rally with Gordon Noble, who finished 2nd overall. Marty McCormack, Barney Mitchell, and Mats van den Brand chat about their tilt at the 2025 RAC crown in the Mats Performance-built BMW M3. Allen Treacy, Mark McCaffrey, Richard Hogg and Mark Hanna join us to chat about their exploits o...

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 47. We catch up with Jordan Hone and his co-driving father, Paul, to talk about winning the Brown & Brown NI Forest Rally Challenge. Shane McGirr & Denver Rafferty tell us about their Fivemiletown Rally exploits and taking the 2-wheel drive win at the event. We look forward to the Killarney Historic Rally, featuring two stalwarts of...

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 47. We look back at the Dacia Sandero Cup with Cillian Doherty, Tommy Cuddihy, Leah Doherty, Art McCarrick, Denis Ferry, Trevor Toner and Declan O’Keeffe. For more about the Dacia Cup, visit the website. www.daciasanderochallengecup.com We catch up with Ben McFall to chat about his year-to-date and his exciting plans for next year. Ronnie M...

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Series, episode 46. Eamonn Kelly chats to us about stepping into the Skoda Rally2 for the first time and taking his maiden victory on the McCafferty’s Bars Donegal Forestry Rally. Winner of the 2-wheel drive on the Donegal Forestry, Marty McCormack joins us to talk about the ongoing development of the gravel spec BMW, along with M3 rally preparation wizard...

Krunching Gears -The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 45.   Kyle McBride & Darragh Mullen join us to talk about their Junior British Rally Championship and Stellantis Cup campaigns.   McCafferty’s Bars Donegal Forestry Rally Clerk of the Course Johnny Baird chats about this year’s event.   Gareth McKay (formerly Waylander Rally Clips) discusses historic rallying, including the Killarney His...

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 44. William Creighton & Liam Regan, our 2025 British Rally Champions, join us to chat about their BRC campaign and what winning the championship means to them. Max McRae talks to us about his maiden BRC win on the Cambrian Rally and his grandfather Jimmy, his biggest fan, who turned 82 last week. Patrick McHugh tells us about how much h...

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 43. Jamie McMillan, Chief Engineer to Ott Tanak at Hyundai, chats to us about the Central European Rally. We hear about the recent Hemicuda Rally in Belgium from brothers Dale and Scott Singleton, who made the trip and came away with many positives. Ronan Comerford joins us to talk about his role as Chief Marshal (Shadow) on the final round...

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast. 2025 Season, episode 42. Review of the Dogleap Rally with Niall Devine, who took his first win, 2nd placed co-driver Barry McCarney, and Alan Smyth, who finished 3rd on his Rally2 debut. We talk to Mull Rally's nine-time winner, Callum Duffy, and 2nd place finisher and previous winner, Fergus Barlow, to find out what makes this event so magical, with its combin...

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast. 2025 Season, episode 41.     Jon Armstrong & Shane Byrne, the winning crew, and second-placed Lorcan Moore chat to us about the Croatia Rally, the final round of the 2025 European Rally Championship.     Niall McGonigle joins us to talk about his win on the recent Chris Kelly Memorial Rally on the Isle of Man, his first closed road rally.   Chapters Start 0...

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 40. Roy Alcorn shares the story of being reunited with LIB 1800, a car with a deep history in rallying and personal significance. Following Roy's story, we delve into a special Rally Masters review that brings together legends Stephen Murphy, Rory Kennedy, James Cullen, James O’Brien, Denis Ferry, and Dessie Wilson to share their insights a...

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 39.   This episode focuses on the Bushwhacker Rally, featuring Patrick, Stephen, Kevin, and Frank O’Brien discussing their recent victory, making it five wins in five years.     Robbie McGurk and Raymond Hill share their Bushwhacker experiences as they took part in a demonstration run at the head of the field.   Donall Sweeney & Oisin J...

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast. 2025 Season, episode 38.   Michael Boyle & Declan Boyle look back at the Wexford Stages Rally and chat about their maiden victory. Continuing the Wexford theme, Frank Kelly chats to us about competing in the event and discusses the upcoming Rally Legend in San Marino. Next, we catch up with Paul Barrett to chat about his family’s involvement with the Omagh...

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast. 2025 Season, episode 37. In this episode, we first review Rali Ceredigion with Jon Armstrong and Shane Byrne, who join us to discuss their maiden European Rally Championship (ERC) and British Rally Championship (BRC) wins. In the second part of the podcast, we are joined by Eamonn Kelly—Rally3 winner—along with Kyle McBride and Joe Kelly, to talk about their ba...