Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast

🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2026 Season, episode 49 🎤   This week on the podcast, we take a deep dive into the World Rally Championship as one era draws to a close and another prepares to begin. With the 2026 season marking the end of the Rally1 era and a new set of regulations for 2027, to help us make sense of the changes and what lies ahead, we’re joined by two key figures from the service park: Hyundai WRC Sporting Director Andrew Wheatley and M-Sport Team Principal Rich Millener. They share their insights on the challenges, opportunities and expectations as the WRC prepares to enter a new era.   Chapters Start 00:00:00 Andrew Wheatley - Hyundai WRC Sporting Director - 00:03:55 Rich Millener - M-Sport Team Principal - 00:48:50 End 01:10:24

🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast 2026 Season, episode 48🎤   The excitement is building ahead of the Killarney Historic Rally on November 29th. This week, we get the latest news and insights from Sean Moriarty, who updates us on preparations for this eagerly anticipated event. We are also joined by modified competitors Rob Duggan and Colin O’Donoghue, who share their thoughts as they look ahead to the rally.   We also turn our attention to this weekend’s Garda Motor Club Baltinglass Mini Stages, where we chat with event Safety Officer Pat Lordan about the preparations and what competitors and spectators can expect.   Chapters Start 00:00:00 Killarney Preview with Sean, Rob & Colin 00:02:52 GSMC Baltinglass Mini Stages Preview with Pat Lordan 00:42:20 End 00:59:33

🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2026 Season, episode 47🎤   On this week’s rally podcast, we celebrate championship success.   We catch up with Osian Pryce, winner of the 2026 British Rally Championship, to reflect on a fantastic year at the top of British rallying. We look back at the Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally, with winner Eamonn Kelly, who tells us about the Yaris development. Danny Brady, who won the 2026 Stellantis Cup Ireland Championship, reflects on his championship-winning campaign and looks ahead to his prize drive. Plus, we’re joined by Declan O’Keffee and some Dacia Sandero Challenge competitors to discuss their experiences this season. They share their highlights, challenges and memories from a year of close competition, hard-fought stages and plenty of rallying drama. From championship glory to the battles that make grassroots rallying so special, this episode brings together the people who made 2026 a season to remember. Chapters Start 00:00:00 Osian Pryce 00:02:35 Eamonn Kelly 00:24:48 Danny Brady 00:38:40 Dacia Crew 00:49:50 End 01:29:18

🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast. 2026 Season, episode 46🎤   In this special episode, we look ahead to a highlight of the Irish motorsport calendar: the Killarney Historic Rally on November 30th. This is a very poignant rally as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. Maurice Nagle was the COC 30 years ago and set out to create an event the best drivers wanted to come to Killarney to compete in.   We’re joined by Clerk of the Course Paul Nagle and Sean Moriarty, founder of Kerry Motorsport News, to discuss what competitors and spectators can expect from this year’s event. From the stages and the cars to the atmosphere and the challenges of organising a rally of this scale, we get the inside story on what makes the Killarney Historic Rally so special.

🎤Krunching Gears Gears - The Rally Podcast 2026 Season, episode 45🎤   On this week’s episode, we catch up with Harvest Rally winner David Kelly as he reflects on his victory and competing this year.   Dogleap Rally winners Jonny Greer and Niall Burns join us to discuss their season.   Jack Harris and Aaron O’Reagan look back on clinching the two-wheel-drive title in the Irish Forestry Rally Championship at the Dogleap.   Plus, Susan Sheehan and Declan O’Keeffe join us to preview the upcoming Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally.   Chapters Start 00:00:00 David Kelly 00:01:25 Jonny Greer & Niall Burns 00:10:10 Jack Harris & Aaron O'Regan 00:30:08 Susan Sheehan & Declan O'Keeefe 00:46:00 End 01:03:14

🎤🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast. 2026 Season, episode 44🎤🎤   In this special episode, we look back at the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship season through the eyes of the M-Sport and Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy crews who have been at the heart of the action.   We catch up with Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy, alongside Jon Armstrong and Shane Byrne, to reflect on a demanding year of competition, the challenges of competing at the highest level of international rallying, and the experiences, lessons and highlights that shaped their seasons.   We also sit down with John Coyne, who founded the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy in 2019, to discuss the vision behind the programme, its development over the years, and its role in supporting and nurturing Irish rallying talent on the world stage.   From the WRC stages to the bigger picture behind the academy, this episode offers a unique insight into the people, partnerships and ambitions driving Irish rallying forward. Join us as we celebrate a memorable season and look towards the future.   Chapters Start 00:00:00 Josh, Jon, Eoin & Shane 00:02:45 John Coyne 00:51:30 End 01:37:51

🎤🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2026 Season, episode 43🎤🎤   First up, we catch up with Daniel McKenna to hear about his modified-class victory at the Donegal Harvest Rally, as he reflects on the event and what it took to win. Ralio presenter Emyr Penlan then joins us to look back on a thrilling conclusion to the World Rally Championship. With drama right to the finish, Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin have been crowned the 2026 World Rally Champions. Emyr shares his thoughts on the story behind the title-deciding finale. Finally, Peter Eakin Safety Officer for the Dogleap Rally, joins us to discuss what competitors and spectators can expect from the event this weekend, with a focus on safety and all the action ahead.   Chapters Start 00:00:00 Daniel McKenna on his modified Harvest win 00:03:22 Emyr Penlan on the dramatic conclusion to the WRC 00:22:15 Peter Eakin previews the Dogleap Stages 00:46:00 Ends 01:02:17

🎤🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast. 2026 Season, episode 42🎤🎤   We sit down with Andy Hayes to reflect on an incredible season and his two championship successes, taking the Irish Forestry and Irish Tarmac Championship co-driver titles.   We also catch up with Matthew Boyle and Declan Boyle, winners of the Chris Kelly Manx Rally, who are joined by second-place driver Michael Boyle.   Andy Mackerel and Richard Cassidy join us to discuss their Irish Tarmac Championship season, sharing their experiences and reflecting on the highs and challenges along the way.   Finally, we turn our attention to the Donegal Harvest Rally, as Clerk of the Course John Crumlish joins us to preview the event and discuss what competitors and fans can expect.   Chapters Start 00:00:00 ITRC & Irish Forestry Champion co-driver Andy Hayes 00:03:05 Manx Tales with Matthew, Declan & Michael Boyle 00:30:18 ITRC Campaign with Andy Mackerel & Richard Cassidy 00:48:28 Donegal Harvest COC John Crumlish 01:28:45 Ends 01:41:13

🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast. 2026 Season, episode 41 🎤   The Escort Rally Special, held in Belgium on September 12th and 13th, delivered a fantastic weekend of action, with a huge contingent of competitors from the island of Ireland making their presence felt on the stages. Christopher O’Callaghan continued to demonstrate the impressive pace he’s shown throughout the season, further cementing his reputation as one of Ireland’s quickest Class 14 Escort MKII drivers. Conor Murphy also had plenty to celebrate, securing a strong finish after a frustrating run of bad luck. His speed has never been in doubt, and it was great to see the results finally come his way. However, the star of the weekend was undoubtedly Cathal Mulcaire. Driving a car generously lent to him by the O’Callaghan family, and more accustomed to Pinto power, Cathal produced a sensational performance to claim third overall. The result made it an all-Irish podium lockout, with Frank Kelly also in the thick of the action before slipping off the road when he was just outside the podium positions. Join us as we look back on an unforgettable Belgian adventure and celebrate the incredible pace of the Irish Escort crews!

🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast2026 Season, episode 41🎤   This week on the podcast, we catch up with Eddie Doherty and Tom Murphy, fresh from their impressive win on the Cork 20 Rally. They tell us about their season and plans for 2027.   We also chat to Max Freeman about his Cork 20 experience, where he took on the co-driving duties alongside Sam Touzel and his love for the sport.   Plus, we’re joined by Pat O’Connor, Clerk of the Course for this weekend’s Laois Forestry Rally, as he gives us the lowdown on what’s in store for competitors and fans.   Chapters  Start 00:00:00 Eddie Doherty & Tom Murphy 00:04:13 Max Freeman 00:25:40 Patrick O'Connor 00:39:28 End 00:57:14