Niall McGonigle scored maximum Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship points after a stunning drive to second overall in his Bear Competitions/CM Trust Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 on the Manx National Rally (8-9 May) – on only his second ever asphalt rally.
But against the very latest four-wheel drive Rally2 technology, it’s Lee Edwards who leads the BTRDA sealed surface series after another magical performance in his rear-wheel drive Blakemore’s Autos/Evans Construction/P&B Tyres/Bailey Performance Escort G3.
Co-driven by Caolan McKenna, Niall set a blistering pace right from the start of the Manx in the IN Sport-prepared car – completing the opening four stages (Leg 1) with a 14.9 second championship advantage and extending that to 44.3 seconds at Friday’s overnight halt (after Leg 2).
Saturday’s final leg was, however, anything but a cruise to the finish for the Strabane driver, thanks to the stunning performance by the three-time Protyre Asphalt champion Jason Pritchard.
The five-time Manx National winner had been a lowly ninth overall after the opening stage, after an overly cautious start on too softer Pirelli tyres in his North Road Garage/Guttercrest Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. Co-driven by Phil Clarke, Jason’s pace picked up on Friday evening, and he entered the overnight halt sixth overall and, more importantly, third in the Protyre Asphalt standings – albeit 1min 07.5secs behind McGonigle and 23.2 secs behind David Wright.
Whatever Jason had for breakfast on Saturday morning supercharged him back to his title-winning best. Fastest time on the day’s opening stage set the tone for the rest of the day, as he flew past Wright and forced McGonigle to keep pushing hard.
In the end, Jason couldn’t fully recover from that slow start (and six stage cancellations didn’t help) as he claimed second place points by finishing 55.1 seconds behind Niall.
“I’m absolutely buzzing to finish second overall on this mega fast rally and claim top points in the Protyre Asphalt Championship on only my second ever asphalt rally,” said Niall.
“Thanks to Caolan in the hot seat, as flawless as ever, and to the whole IN Sport team for a car that as always never fails to perform.”
In their last rally together before they get married, David Wright/Jane Nicol were second in the Protyre Asphalt points standings overnight in their GPM/DamperTek/Grove Hill Garage Fiesta Rally2, having chased their title rivals hard all day. Whilst Jason got the better of them on day two, they finished a strong third to strengthen their title hopes, while Jane extends her lead in the Ladies Co-drivers’ standings.
Rob Fagg picked up maximum Protyre Asphalt co-driver’s points, having navigated the unregistered Ryan Loughran to overall victory in their Škoda Fabia Rally2 – despite hitting a pheasant and damaging the radiator three stages from home.
Ian Forgan improved on his fifth place points finish on the opening round by coming home fourth this time. Co-driven by Callum Young, the Scottish driver was consistently fast and didn’t put a foot wrong in his Mercury Motorsport Fiesta Rally2, and leaves the Isle of Man equal on points at the top of the overall drivers’ standings and leading both Class 1 and the new Seniors’ category.
Aled Wyn Morgans gets better with every outing in his Aberystwyth Motorsport Fiesta Rally2, and this was his best performance yet. Together with Jack Bowen, the former Escort Challenge frontrunner climbed from 10th overall at the end of day one to finish a very impressive eighth and take home fifth place Protyre Asphalt points. That result moves him up to a title challenging fourth in the drivers’ standings.
John Stone produced a superbly fast and consistent run in his Legend Performance Volkswagen Polo R5 GTI. Co-driven by Rhys Stoneman, the experienced Blackburn pilot collected eighth place points to move him up to seventh in the points table.
Ryan Burns’ team worked long into the night after the Liverpool driver hit problems on Friday final stage. He and co-driver James Morgan repaid their hard work by scoring a top 10 Protyre Asphalt overall points finish in their Bat-Sport Performance/Burnley Motors/Seacon UK Fiesta Rally2.
Mike English/Simon Hunter brought their Lumina Fiesta Rally2 home unscathed, as did Ryan Fagan/Jordan Joines in their Nuevo Clothing Fiesta R5 – which, considering the demanding long route and the carnage occurring around them, was no mean feat.
Brad Cole/Jamie Vaughan had started strongly in their Trick Motorsport prepared and East Budleigh Garage run Hydroline Solutions Fiesta Rally2, and thanks to a few set-up adjustments were getting quicker with every stage. The team successfully changed the steering rack in record time in first service, but when the steering pump needed changing as well, they went OTL.
Roger Duckworth/Ian Windress were seventh in the Protyre Asphalt standings after day one, but their good run ended on day two when they put their Technia Fiesta R5 off the road.
Steve Wood held a top 10 Protyre Asphalt overall position after his first day of competition in his new Rachel’s Organic-backed Volkswagen Polo GTI R5. Co-driven by Kenny Hull, the 2022 Protyre Asphalt champion had several issues on day two and didn’t finish.
Stephen Simpson/Mark Glennerster also registered a rare retirement in their Tudor Glass Fiesta Rally2, while Sam Touzel/Max Freeman did not start the event in their Smart Scaffolding/Trade Centre UK Ford Fiesta Rally2 .
Lee Edwards was on sensational form on the Isle of Man, putting in a spectacular performance in his Jaguar V6-engined Escort G3. Most of the tyre marks left on the island are his, but this wasn’t merely showboating as the Oswestry driver used every ounce of available power and rear-wheel drive traction to maximum effect. Partnered by Sam Spencer, Lee finished ninth overall – but more importantly took home sixth place Protyre Asphalt points to lead the series overall and increase his lead in Class 3.
Just 00.1 seconds separated Lee from Gordon Montana Morrison/Ian Parker at the end of the battle for the top 2WD and Class 3 positions. The Scottish driver made an impressive return to the series in his Lochwinnoch Motors Escort Mk2, with Kyle Adam/Steven Brown finishing third in class in their Pinnacle Re-Tec/Foz Sports Bodyshop Escort Mk2.
Max Murray/Matthew Owen (BVS Vehicles Citroen DS3 R3T) finished fourth in Class 3, ahead of Chris Simmons/Dannii Matthews (SRT Motorsport-run Darrian T90 GTR) and Russell Addyman/Kev Wilson (A1 Concrete Harrogate Escort Mk2).
Andy Brinkley/Helena Mayall picked up more valuable points on their first visit to the Isle of Man in their M-Tech Motorsport/AB Bodyworks BMW E38 M3, despite having to weld a broken rear arm bracket mid-way through day two.
Huw James’ stunning new Fiat 131 Mirafiori won the Dynamic Fluids Best Presented Car Award before the start, selected and presented by Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship scrutineer Geoff Doe. Unfortunately, that proved to be the highlight as he and Lewis Sim retired the A&D Tyres/Maxxis supported car with diff cradle failure on the opening stage.
Barry Groundwater/Ashleigh Will won Class 2 in their Mitsubishi Evo 6, while a very impressive run from Ian Taylor/Louise Lewis (Macwhirter Motorsport-run ABX Roofing Supplies Derwydd Garage/CMJ Motors Mitsubishi Evo 9) saw them finish second in class. Steven Harvey/Graham Wild finished third in their Telematic Solutions/Kelmore Subaru Impreza, with the Norden driver taking the class lead.
It wasn’t a good event for James Hall, who came into the Manx leading Class 2. His Subaru Impreza N11 kept cutting out on SS1, forcing him to stop and disconnect the flat-shift system. He got going again, having lost six minutes, but retired on SS8. Laura Marshall still leads the Class 2 co-drivers’ section, however.
The reigning Protyre Asphalt Junior Drivers’ champion Luke Constantine won Class 5 in his Michelin Motorsport/Momentum Financial Solutions Opel Corsa Rally4. Co-driven by Ifan Devine, the talented Catterick youngster showed just how competitive this car can be on asphalt, as he finished a very impressive 27th overall.
Ben Hardy/David Radcliffe recorded a dominant Class 6 victory in their Northern Autocare/RMD Electrical Escort, with the local driver also taking over the lead of the class.
Jack Ives/ Louis Baines finished second in their Causeway Garage Escort, while Ben Lyon/Jack Corlett secured the final Class 6 podium slot in their Renault Clio RS.
It was great to see double Protyre Asphalt class champions Mike Pugsley/Marc Clatworthy return to the series in their fabulous 1974 Escort Mk1 RS2000 – and doing so with a stylish points scoring finish.
Defending class champions Alyn Welsby/Dan Parsons retired their Cobra Hydraulics/CSA Recruitment Escort Mk2 early on day one, a DNF which drops them from first to fourth in the points standings.
Manxman Peter Harrison still leads Class 7, but a few problems with his Peugeot 106 GTi (including retiring on Leg 1) saw him and co-driver Nigel Morris finish third in class this time.
It was David Mills/Harvey Robert who took the Class 7 win in their Escort, finishing ahead of Anthony Jevons/Margaret Kelly in their Fiesta R2.
Endaf Makepeace was looking forward to making his Manx debut. Co-driven by Robert Wheeler, the west Wales driver retired on Leg 1 when a stub axle broke on his DP Building Supplies Escort Mk2.
It was another historic masterclass from Stef Davies. Co-driven by Michael Gilbey, the Carmarthen driver picked up his second Class H6 win of the season in his Shell Oils Escort M2 to extend his class lead, while also continuing to head the BTRDA Historic Asphalt Cup and Escort Challenge. Such was Stef’s pace that he finished a magnificent 18th overall and recorded a top 10 overall Protyre Asphalt result.
Will Rowlands/Emyr Hall finished second in Class H6 in their Escort RS1800, collecting 12th overall driver points. David Iwan Jones/Nigel Roberts (Wales Motorsport-run HIJ Electrical/Mill Farm Eggs/JD Tyres/GNJ Construction Escort Mk2) completed the H6 podium.
John Adams/Oisin Joyce (Escort RS1800) finished fourth, while young Bala driver Ilan Pritchard (co-driven by Dylan Sion Richards) finished fifth and collected his first Protyre Asphalt Junior points after a strong run in his Henblas Garage Escort. Andrew Bushe/Geraldine McBride were sixth in their flamboyant Vauxhall Chevette HSR, finishing ahead of Hywel Davies/Dorian Evans (Escort RS).
Shane Gamble has taken the Class H1 lead. Partnered by Michael Diehl, the South Staffordshire R3 Race & Rally Repairs Mini Cooper S driver beat Ian Clare/Richard May, who pushed on hard in their J&S Handling/DT Training/Melia Accounting Wolseley Hornet.
Action from the Manx National Rally, which was broadcast live, is available to view for free on the Special Stage TV Facebook and YouTube channels, plus specialstage.tv.
It’s now a quick turnaround for crews, as Round 3 of the 2026 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship is the Borders Competitions Jim Clark Rally (22/23 May).
Everyone involved in the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship sends their sincere condolences to the family and friends of driver Darrell Taylor, who tragically passed away following a medical incident on Friday.
Manx National Rally– top 10 registered 2026 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship finishers:
1. Niall McGonigle/Caolan McKenna (Volkswagen Polo GTI R5)….1hr 27mins 42.9secs
2. Jason Pritchard/Phil Clarke (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2)….1hr 28mins 38.0secs
3. David Wright/Jane Nicol (Ford Fiesta Rally2)….1hr 28mins 54.9secs
4. Ian Forgan/Callum Young (Ford Fiesta Rally2)….1hr 31mins 58.3secs
5. Aled Wyn Morgans/Jack Bowen (Ford Fiesta Rally2)….1hr 32mins 16.6secs
6. Lee Edwards/Sam Spencer (Ford Escort G3)….1hr 32mins 18.1secs
7. Gordon Montana Morrison/Ian Parker (Ford Escort Mk2)….1hr 32mins 18.2secs
8. John Stone/Rhys Stoneman (Volkswagen Polo GTI R5)….1hr 33mins 31.6secs
9. Kyle Adam/Steven Brown (Ford Escort Mk2)….1hr 34mins 30.0secs
10. Stef Davies/Michael Gilbey (Ford Escort Mk2)….1hr 34mins 32.6secs
2026 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship – top 6 Drivers’ overall after Round 2:
1. Lee Edwards….51pts
2. Ian Forgan….51pts
3. David Wright….46pts
4. Aled Wyn Morgans….46pts
5. Stef Davies….40pts
6. Will Rowlands….34pts
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