McBride in command in Cork, to set up a Stellantis final round showdown
The Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup IRE & UK title race will go right down to the wire after Kyle McBride stormed to a dominant victory at the Cork 20 Rally [4–5 October], setting up a winner-takes-all decider at the Cambrian Rally in Wales later this month.
McBride, co-driven by Darragh Mullen, delivered a faultless performance across the two-day event, winning by a commanding 1 minute 25 seconds over championship rival Joe Kelly and taking control of the title battle. Just one point now separates the pair as they head into the fifth and final round of the season, with a supported FIA European Rally Championship campaign awaiting the 2025 champion.
From the opening leg, McBride made his intentions clear. The Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver won four of Saturday’s five stages, establishing a 29-second lead over Kelly and co-driver Killan McArdle by the day’s midpoint. Kelly managed to hit back on the final Caherduggan stage, trimming just over a second from McBride’s advantage, but the Donegal driver remained firmly in control overnight.
Both title contenders knew that a single mistake could spell the end of their championship hopes, and both adopted a measured approach over Cork’s notoriously tricky lanes. The only major drama came for David Herbert, who was forced to retire on day one after being struck by another car on an escape road. He would rejoin under Super Rally regulations on Sunday.
Sunday’s six stages saw Kalum Graffin, along with co-driver Mark McGeehan on a charge. The young driver came out swinging, finishing just two seconds shy of McBride on the opening test and outpacing Kelly across the entire morning loop. He even set the fastest time on the final stage of the rally, showcasing the pace that’s made him a podium regular this season.
Despite Graffin’s best efforts and Kell’s consistency, no one could touch McBride, who cruised to his fourth win of the 2025 season, a performance that cements his place as a firm title contender in the Stellantis Cup.
“It’s great to be here,” said McBride at the finish.
“We had a really good weekend all round and very happy with our pace on Tarmac. Delighted to get the win here, it means a lot for the championship, and it takes it to the last round at the Cambrian”.
Kelly’s second place keeps his title hopes alive, while Graffin’s third-place finish secures him the same position in the overall standings heading into the finale. Herbert was able to salvage fourth overall.
With just one point separating McBride and Kelly, the Cambrian Rally promises to be a fitting conclusion to another hotly contested Stellantis Cup season. The Welsh forests will decide who earns the ultimate prize, a supported entry into five rounds of the FIA European Rally Championship in 2026.