East Galway and Ballinasloe are gearing up for a major economic and tourism boost on Sunday, August 23, as the Bluebird Care Galway Summer Rally looks set to hit its maximum 150-car entry limit.
With less than a month to go, the event has drawn a massive international field, attracting crews from every corner of Ireland, the UK, Canada, the USA, and as far away as Australia.
Headquartered at the Shearwater Hotel in Ballinasloe, the rally is drawing drivers, co-drivers, and service crews from across the globe alongside Ireland’s top domestic competitors.
Local hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, and retail shops across East Galway expect heavy footfall as overseas teams and a large traveling spectator contingent flock to the region to tackle 110 kilometres of competitive stages.
Cross-channel interest is exceptionally strong. Welsh duo Andy Davies and Owain Davies head the Historic class in a Ford Escort, while English driver Charles Knifton, co-driven by Steve Gozzard, lines up in a Peugeot 208 Rally 4. Scottish driver Ross Hunter joins forces with English navigator Chris Dodds in another Peugeot 208 Rally 4, and London-based Irish driver Connor O'Brien links up with European Rally Championship regular Liam Regan in a Ford Fiesta.
The entry list extends far beyond Europe. Canadian-based driver Oscar Mangan, originally from Mulingar, makes a welcome return home to team up with Westmeath co-driver Lisa Roe in a Ford Escort Mk1.
Flying the flag for North America are US/Irish crews Martin Donnelly and Sean Coffey in a Ford Escort, plus Brian Heneghan who pairs with Galway’s Jonathan Herwood.
Traveling the furthest distance of all are the Australia-based duo of Jack Kelleher and Owen Foley in a Ford Escort Mk2.
Entries are still available via: https://www.shannonsportsit.ie/evo/Login?referer=https://results.shannonsportsit.ie/&event=IE-GLWY-GS26
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Sponsor Support Secures Event Future
Galway Motor Club Members Back Home Event
Five local businesses run by Galway Motor Club members have stepped up to back their home event for the Galway Summer Rally.
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Title partner Bluebird Care Galway, led by Managing Director Sean Lyons, returns for a third year. Lyons, a long-time club member who first competed in the rally in 1988, is backing the event while also taking to the stages as the official Safety Car driver.
Four associate sponsors owned by active club members add further local support both on and off the stages. Torsten Schmidt’s GRP4 Fabrications returns to sponsor the "King of the Mk2" award for clubman Escort crews.
Keith Spain of Spain’s Coach Hire backs the rally alongside fellow club member Gary Leonard, who takes on the role of Clerk of the Course.
Dean Raftery represents Craughwell Tyres on the stages, while Labane-based Adrian Quinn Car Sales completes the lineup, with Adrian Quinn Junior competing in Class 4 in a Renault Clio
Supporting The Gavin Glynn Foundation
The Galway Motor Club has chosen The Gavin Glynn Foundation as its official charity partner for 2026, raising funds and awareness throughout the event.
The charity was established in memory of Gavin Glynn, diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma at 18 months old after a tumour was discovered in his pelvic region and lungs. The foundation covers transport and accommodation costs for families of children fighting cancer who must travel overseas for specialized medical care not available in Ireland.
After the foundation directly assisted a County Galway Motor Club member during a family medical crisis, club members voted to dedicate this year's rally to supporting the charity's ongoing work.
