Irishman Marty Gallagher is set to compete in three further rounds of the MSA British Rally Championship this season, after making his BRC debut on the Circuit Of Ireland earlier in the year.
Gallagher – with Dean O’Sullivan alongside – will rejoin the series on the Nicky Grist Stages, before taking on back-to-back Tarmac events on the Ulster and the Isle of Man.
The 20-year-old signalled his intent by committing to Britain’s premier rallying series from the Nicky Grist Stages onwards in his recently acquired Peugeot 208 R2. The French marque already has a presence in the British Rally Championship with Euan Thorburn fielding a T16 variant in the BRC1 category. The front-wheel-drive pocket-rocket now completes the set of current R2 machines competing in the BRC.
“The Ford Fiesta we used to run was a great car, but it was noticeable on the stages that there was a power deficit to the younger Fiestas, Opels and Vauxhall ADAMs,” explained Gallagher.
“We were taking too many risks to keep up the high pace so the opportunity arose to purchase the Peugeot 208. It’s certainly different and there aren’t too many competing in Britain or Ireland. We had a difficult time on the recent Cavan Stages as we had to retire with clutch issues, which wasn’t ideal. We have all the new bits now and looking forward to the next event.”
Marty first joined the BRC fray on the Circuit of Ireland and enjoyed trading times with fellow BRC4 runner Callum Devine throughout the two-day Tarmac test. Gallagher came out on top with 25 points and entered into a three-way tie for the title as the series enjoys its mid-season break.
“The Nicky Grist Stages will be my first event outside of Ireland, so quite excited to compete away from home. I have done three gravel rallies in a Honda Civic, so for me the first event will be about building experience on the surface and in the car. I am looking forward to the Ulster as it is my home event and hopefully we will have quite a lot of local support. And then to end the season on the Manx will be quite special. It is a great event and I have heard so much – we go well on Tarmac so it will be a good run in to the end of the season.”
Gallagher returns to the series on the Nicky Grist Stages on the 9/10 July, but before then the action resumes as the series heads to Scotland for round four on the 25 June.
