Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast

🎤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 27🎤 This week, we get under the bonnet and take a look behind the scenes of rallying with three special guests who bring unique perspectives from the sport. First we catch up with Colin Turkington, four-time British Touring Car Champion and BMW’s most successful racing driver, following his recent venture into rallying at the Tyrone Stages Rally. Alongside him is co-driver Rory Kennedy, who shares his experience of guiding one of touring cars’ most decorated drivers through the challenges of special stage competition. Together, they discuss the transition from track to rallying, the demands of the sport, and what they learned from the experience. We also follow up on the recent Toyota Yaris Rally2 test in Donegal with Lewis Allen, Lead Engineer on Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Rally2 project. Lewis provides a fascinating insight into the development of the Toyota Rally2 programme, explaining how Toyota supports its customer teams around the world. From continuous development to delivering the latest upgrades, he reveals how no expense is spared to ensure competitors have access to the very best package available. Chapters Start 00:00:00 Colin Turkington & Rory Kennedy 00:06:15 Lewis Allen - Gazoo Lead Engineer Rally2 Programme 00:35:00 End 01:04:00

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2026 Season, episode 12. This week’s episode looks back at the 2026 West Cork Rally with John Dalton and Eurig Davies, the top two-wheel-drive crew in their Darrian, who reflect on their victory and explain why competing in such an iconic car means so much to them. Frank Kelly joins us to recount how disrupted travel plans turned into an unforgettable West Cork adventure. We also hear from Sam Touzel and Max Freeman, who share their experience of competing in Ireland this season and their impressions of the West Cork stages. Chapters Start 00:00:00 John Dalton & Eurig Davies 00:03:10 Frank Kelly 00:29:45 Sam Touzel & Max Freeman 00:55:15 End 01:27:03

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2026 Season, episode 10. In this episode, we’re joined by Jon Desborough, the original "voice of rally". Jon is a prominent sports journalist, veteran WRC commentator and author. Jon has spent years immersed in the highs, heartbreaks, and characters that define rallying. In this episode, he shares insights into his time commentating on the WRC for Channel 4 and ITV, as well as what led him to transition into writing rally fiction novels during the COVID lockdown. From behind-the-scenes stories to reflections on rallying’s greatest eras and personalities, this episode offers a fascinating look at the sport through the eyes of someone who has dedicated his career to telling its story

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2026 Season, episode 8. In this episode, we’re joined by Rich Millener, Team Principal of the M-Sport Ford, to discuss the team’s start to the 2026 World Rally Championship season and the challenges and opportunities that have emerged in the opening rounds. We’re also chat to Jon Armstrong and Shane Byrne to reflect on their transition into Rally1 machinery and how they are settling into life at the top level with two rounds of the championship now complete. Chapters Start 00:00:00 Rich Millener 00:02:15 Jon Armstrong & Shane Byrne 00:37:50 End 01:13:56

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2026 Season, episode 6. In this episode, we look ahead to the Fivemiletown Spring Stages Rally, organised by Omagh Motor Club and forming a round of the NI Gravel Rally Challenge. We’re joined by Clerk of the Course Ronnie McAleer and Deputy Clerk of the Course Lewis Boyd to discuss the event preparations, the stages and what competitors can expect. We also preview the Mayo Stages Rally, the opening round of the National Rally Championship, with insights from Clerk of the Course Stephen McGing, Event Secretary Ruthann O’Connor and PRO Andy Walsh as they outline plans for the season curtain-raiser. Chapters Start 00:00:00 Ronnie McAleer & Lewis Boyd from Omagh Motor Club 00:02:10 Stephen McGing, Ruthann O'Connor & Andy Walsh 00:21:40 End 00:54:00