18 Aug 2025
Rallying Returns to the Island 4th October
The organisers from Manx Autosport say they are delighted with the response to the launch of this year's Chris Kelly Rally on Saturday October 4th.
The compact one-day event using closed roads in the middle of the island has received a capacity entry and reserves as more than 70 crews placed entries in short order. Significantly, around a third of the entries are from Isle of Man crews showing the level of support for stage rallying on the island.
The diverse entry list runs from club level contenders to leading national asphalt drivers. Notable entries include the VW Polo GTi R5s of Mark Kelly and John Stone from England and Aaron McLaughlin and Frank Wray from Ireland, while other significant contenders include Niall McGonigle from Northern Ireland in his Ford Fiesta Rally2 and Welshman Damian Cole in his Citroen C3 Rally2.
Among the prominent two-wheel drive entries are the rapid Ford Escort Mk2s of Oliver Davies, Darren Atkinson and Bradley Carroll along with the crowd-pleasing three-litre Ford Escort G3 of Lee Edwards. Key local entries include the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9s of Maxx Bradshaw, Sean Kelly and Steven Colley.
With a maximum entry for the event of 60 cars It is likely that every place will be taken when the action starts on the morning of Saturday October 4th.
Mark Ellison from Manx Autosport said: “We're delighted that the entry has justified the work going on to bring a second stage rally back to the roads of the Isle of Man. The compact format for the Chris Kelly is proving popular, and we look forward to welcoming both local and travelling crews to this event. If anyone still wishes to enter, it is certainly worth putting an entry in because we may well have a few withdrawals between now and the date of the rally.”
The Chris Kelly Rally will offer eight special stages and 54 competitive miles on some of the classic Manx closed roads in the centre of the island around Brandywell, with central service at Jurby airfield. Documentation and scrutineering will take place at the TT Grandstand on Friday October 3, before the rally base moves to Jurby for Saturday. The competitive action will start at around 0900hrs, with the first car due back at the finish at around 1630hrs. There will be service after each pair of stages.
Issued by Paul Lawrence (07778 547918) on behalf of Manx Auto Sport.
For more details, please visit the website at: manxautosport.org or e-mail: manxautosport@gmail.com