Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast

🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2026 Season episode 36🎤

 

Marty McCormack & Barney Mitchell share their impressions of the latest round of the European Historic Rally Championship: the Lathi Historic Rally. We also discuss all the latest developments in the Mats Performance BMW M3.

 

In this episode, we also talk to Ben McFall, Mark McGeehan, Oran England, and Darragh Mullen about the battles they have had this season and what they're looking forward to at Rali Ceredigion.

 

Chapters

Start 00:00:00

Marty & Barney 00:01:45

Ben, Mark, Oran & Darragh on their seasons thus far 00:30:50

End 01:03:29

🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2026 Season, episode 35 🎤

 

On this episode we catch up with rally driver Kalum Graffin to discuss his FIA European Rally Championship season so far. Kalum reflects on his performances and the challenges of competing at ERC level, as well as securing an impressive third overall in the Fiesta Rally3 Trophy competition.

We also turn our attention to the upcoming Down Rally, organised by Rathfriland Motor Club. We’re joined by Assistant Clerk of the Course Barry Savage, who gives us an insight into the preparations behind the event, what competitors and spectators can expect, and the work that goes into putting the rally together.

Chapters

Start 00:00:00

Kalum Graffin on his ERC Campaign 00:02:45

Down Rally Preview with Barry Savage 00:22:39

End 00:44:01

🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast. 2026 Season, episode 34🎤 

On this episode, we catch up with Ulster Rally Historic winners Eamonn Kelly and then co-driver Rory Kennedy as they each reflect on their successful weekend in Co Antrim and the excitement of driving the fabulous Mats M3 of some of the greatest stages in the country. 

We also chat with Andy Hayes, who navigated Josh Moffett to an extraordinary three victories in just one week — on the Monaghan Rally, Ulster Rally and Jim Walsh Cork Rally. Across the seven days, the pair tackled both tarmac and gravel, switched cars and claimed wins on rounds of the National Rally Championship, Irish Tarmac Championship and Irish Forestry Championship. It’s a remarkable achievement and one we’re asking: has it ever been done before? 
Tune in for the stories, the challenges and the inside track on another week in Irish rallying.

Chapters
Start 00:00:00
Eamonn Kelly 00:03:20
Rory Kennedy 00:19:25
Andy Hayes 00:40:00
End 01:16:32

🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2026 Season, episode 33🎤

In this episode, we bring you the reaction from an action-packed Monaghan Stages Rally, fresh from the finish line with overall winner Josh Moffett and runner-up Sam Moffett reflect on a thrilling battle as they share their thoughts on the "Monaghan Grand-Prix".

We also dive into the fiercely contested two-wheel-drive category, hearing from winner, Gary McPhillips, second-placed crew Dessie Keenan and Jason "Wee Pete" McKenna, plus third-placed co-driver Ronan O'Neill and also Chris O'Callaghan, who was in the hunt for a podium finish.

To round things off, we look ahead to this weekend's highly anticipated Ulster Rally as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. Grace and Mark King join us to preview the landmark event, discussing the stages, and what fans and competitors can expect as event joins the FIA European Historic Rally Championship.

Chapters

Start 00:00:00

Josh Moffett 00:03:20

Sam Moffett 00:06:08

Monaghan 2wd Competitors 00:09:55

Ulster Rally Preview with Grace & Mark King 00:48:55

End 01:15:53

🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2026 Season, episode 32🎤

 

On this episode, we catch up with Jon Armstrong to discuss his World Rally Championship campaign with M-Sport, reflecting on the highs, challenges, and what it's like competing at the very top level of the sport.

We also hear from Jonny Greer after securing an incredible sixth Northern Ireland Rally Championship title, looking back on another successful season and what the achievement means to him.

Hugh Hunter and Andy Marchbank join us to share their experiences from Rallye Lecale, discussing the event, the competition, and how their rally unfolded.

Finally, we turn our attention to the upcoming Monaghan Rally as Sean McCaffrey previews one of the highlights of the Irish rally calendar, discussing the stages, the expected competition, and what fans can look forward to.

Chapters

Start 00:00:00

Jon Armstrong on his season to date 00:02:45

Jonny Greer - 6 times Northern Ireland Rally Championship, 00:41:45

Hugh Hunter & Andy Marchbank on Rallye Lecale 01:03:05

Sean McCaffrey - Monaghan Rally Preview 01:29:18

End 01:55:47

🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2026 Season, episode 32🎤

 

In this episode, we’re joined by three-time British Rally Champion Matt Edwards to discuss the current state of Rally2 machinery and its future as the incoming top-tier category in the FIA World Rally Championship. Matt shares his insight into the performance, appeal and challenges of Rally2 cars.

 

We also catch up with Gavin Campbell, Clerk of the Course, and Brian Crawford, Deputy Clerk of the Course, for a preview of this weekend’s BADMC Rallye Lecale. As a brand-new event taking place on 25 July and based in Downpatrick, they take us behind the scenes to explain what competitors and fans can expect, the work involved in launching a new rally, and why Rallye Lecale promises to be an exciting addition to the Northern Irish motorsport calendar.

 

Chapters

Start 00:00:00

Matt Edwards 00:03:45

Rallye Lecale preview with Gavin Campbell & Brian Crawford 00:47:20

End 01:20:54

🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast | 2026 Season, episode 31 | 🎤

 

This week on the podcast, we look back at an action-packed Nicky Grist Rally with the event's overall winners, Jordan Hone and Sion Williams. They join us to reflect on their standout performance and what the win means for the rest of the season.

We also catch up with Jason Black and Karl Egan after a busy weekend behind the wheel. The pair discuss competing on back-to-back events, tackling the Loughgall Rally before celebrating victory at the Kerry Mini Stages, and the challenges of maintaining momentum across two demanding rally's.

Finally, we hear from the Stonethrowers Rally Clerk of the Course Susan Sheehan and Deputy Clerk of the Course Declan O'Keeffe, who explain the difficult decision to cancel this weekend's event. They share the factors behind the call, the disappointment for everyone involved.

 

Chapters

Start 00:00:00

Nicky Grist Stages Review with winners Jordan Hone & Sion Williams 00:03:45

Catchup with Jason Black & Karl Egan 00:28:08

Stonethrowers News with Susan Sheehan & Declan O'Keefe

End 01:14:20

Krunching Gears - |The Rally Podcast, 2026 Season, episode 30|

 

This week on the podcast, we catch up with Jonny Greer and Niall Burns following their victory at the Loughgall Rally the latest round of the Northern Rally Championship.

We also catch up on the latest round of the FIA European Rally Championship (Rally di Roma Capitale) with Craig Rahill, Conor Smith, Casey Jay Coleman, and Killian McArdle who bring us up to speed on their ERC3 and M-Sport Fiesta Trophy campaigns, sharing the highs, challenges, and excitement from a demanding weekend of international competition.

Rounding off the show, we hear from the crews who finished second and third overall at the Kerry Mini Stages, Chris O'Callaghan and Coleen O'Brien, along with Johno Doogan and Paul Lennon, as they reflect on their performances, fierce competition, and memorable moments from an action-packed event.

Chapters 

Start 00:00:00

Loughgall Rally with Jonny Greer & Niall Burns 00:03:15

Rally di Roma Capitale - Craig Rahill, Conor Smith, Casey Jay Coleman & Killian McArdle 00:25:58

Kerry Mini Stages - Coleen O'Brien, Chris O Callaghan, Johno Doogan & Paul Lennon 00:54:50

End 01:33:24 

#rally #podcast #motorsport #autopodcast #irishrally #PaddyPower

🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2026 Season, episode 29🎤

 

On this episode of the Rally Podcast, we look ahead to one of the biggest and most anticipated events on the Irish rally calendar, the Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally.

We catch up with Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy, who have been released from their World Rally Championship duties with M-Sport to tackle the famous Donegal hills in a Rally2 Fiesta. They discuss the opportunity, the challenge of competing at home, the quality of the entry list, and the excitement of taking on one of Irish rallying’s most iconic events.

 

We’re also joined by Clerk of the Course Eamon Magee, who gives us an insight into the preparation, organisation, and challenges involved in delivering the legendary Donegal stages. Event sponsor and competitor Rodney Wilton shares his thoughts on supporting the rally and taking on the roads himself.

 

Plus, Eugene Ferry joins us to talk about the Rally Stages App which is working in partnership with the Donegal Motor Club to help competitors and spectators stay informed throughout the rally weekend.

🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2026 Season, episode 28🎤 🩷

 

On this special episode we celebrate the return of one of the most iconic cars in Irish rallying history, the legendary “Pink Panther” Ford Sierra RS Cosworth that carried James Cullen and Ellen Morgan to victory on the Donegal International in 1991. We speak with Paul Murphy and Declan McBrearty, part of the dedicated team behind the painstaking restoration of this famous machine, as they reveal the work involved in returning the car to its original 1991 specification as part of The Stables Motorsport Centre collection.

We’re also joined by James Cullen and Sinead Canny, who look ahead to their special appearance on the Donegal stages as they mark the anniversary of that unforgettable victory and honour the legacy of Ellen Morgan, James’ co-driver for 14 remarkable years.

The return of the iconic pink Sierra RS Cosworth to the 2026 Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally.