Stellantis Cup gears up for the Grampian
The hugely competitive Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup IRE & UK is back in action next weekend for the Voly Grampian Forest Rally in Scotland (8-9 August). After two rounds on the Irish Tarmac, a switch back to the loose will be a wake up call to the crews after the lengthy summer break.
Next-up on the Stellantis Cup series tour organised and promoted by Race & Rally, Michelin Motorsport, Protyre Motorsport Ireland and LP Tents will be the rough and tough Grampian Rally situated near Aberdeen in Scotland. Supported by automotive giant Stellantis, the attractive FIA European Rally Championship prize is the end goal for the overall champions with the substantial support package consisting of championship registration, entries and tyres for five rounds worth up to €40,000, for either the FIA Junior European Rally Championship or ERC4 category in 2026.
The cup helps drivers cut their teeth, with the series utilising the best rallies in the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom to form a fiercely competitive contest. Home to the popular Peugeot 208 Rally4 front-wheel-drive pocket-rocket – six cars will line-up for the fifth round of the Cup – which also sits alongside the Probite British Rally Championship.
From the closed road, flat-out festival of Donegal – the asphalt lanes get swapped for the forests of Aberdeenshire – with the Cup competitors ready to be let loose on 55 miles and ten special stages. Adding to the pressure of the fight – further vouchers from each round are available to the top three teams, with the winner of each round receiving €3,000, while second and third in the Cup will take home €1,500 and €1,000 respectively.
Joseph Kelly is the form man so far in the second running of the Cup. The Irishman in his Peugeot 208 Rally4 will have Killian McArdle sat alongside him once again, as the pair go in search of their third win of the season. After the woes of West Cork well and truly put to bed, two wins on the Carlisle Stages and Killarney Rally of the Lakes has put them in the pound seats, while a strong second on Kelly’s home patch in Donegal last time out has cemented his place as the leader in the title hunt.
Aiming to halt the Kelly run away train is a gaggle of three cars all within one point of each other. Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy-backed driver Kyle McBride in another 208 Rally4 is the man in form at the moment after winning the Donegal International round last time out. With Darragh Mullen expertly guiding McBride is the only other driver to have won two rounds, with the Irishman having already sealed the opener in Clonakilty at the start of the campaign. A retirement in Carlisle and a fight-back drive in Killarney has put McBride on the back foot – but if championship is to be had – never discount Kyle come the season end.
Kalum Graffin has been mister consistent in the four rounds to date. The teenager is the only driver to have never been off the podium this year, with three thirds and a second putting him equal second in his Peugeot 208 Rally4 with Mark McGeehan alongside. Jack Brennan in yet another 208 Rally4 is tied on points with the young Graffin in the title race. Brennan and co-driver Eoghan Doherty do have three second places and a fourth from his run in Donegal to bring to the ring. A win is surely not too far away from Brennan who has led the points tally on several occasions earlier this season.
To keep pace with the aforementioned title hopefuls Kelly and McBride – Graffin and Brennan will have to try and win one of the next two rounds to add fuel to their title aspirations.
Rejoining the Stellantis Cup in Scotland will be Natalie Robinson and Sam Collis. The pair were last seen on the Carlisle Rally with two wheels in the air as they searched for the balance of speed and consistency in the hotly fought Stellantis Cup. With a fourth already in the bag from that event – Robinson will be vying for her first podium, and will also be eyeing a top five in the standings come the end of the gravel rally.
Making a welcome return in the Stellantis Cup is fellow English driver Sam Mason and James Seymour – in the final Peugeot 208 Rally4. The 19-year-old impressed in earlier rounds and the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed showcase event. A podium is the target with a run of British-based events coming up, which may suit Mason and his driving style. Along with Robinson, Mason will be upholding British hopes against a hard-charging Irish pack on the Scottish stages..
Backed by Race & Rally with support from Michelin Motorsport, Protyre Motorsport Ireland and LP Tents, the championship hits the fast and furious gravel on the 8th and 9th of August for the Voly Grampian Stages.
For more information on the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup IRE & UK visit: https://stellantismotorsportcup.com/