Local links strong as OEM team aim for 2026 MIJRS title

Oran England and Darragh Mullen are preparing for the Yeats Ridge Forestry Rally, the opening round of the Motorsport Ireland Junior Rally Series, this weekend.

Following a successful launch of the OEM (Oran England Motorsport) campaign at Lough Owel Motors in Mullingar on Friday evening, the crew were to spend time on Saturday with Niall McShea, a former GpN world champion, and an accomplished driver on the stages and on film sets with stunt crews, hoping to benefit from his tuition and experience.

Oran and Darragh both have family backgrounds in rallying. Timmy English drove Honda Civics and Mitsubishi Evos, and Oran says he’s considering a comeback this year. Darragh, though he turned just 36 on Friday, has 20 years of experience as a co-driver, having first sat alongside his father, Andrew Mullen, when he was 16. His mother, Elaine Doherty, also competed.

Oran’s driving experience up to the year before last was in karting, and he took wins and titles in the junior classes, before switching to the stages.

“We started with a Fiesta and did a couple of rallies in 2024, then towards the end of last year, we made the jump to the Peugeot. We had a good year, and now we have a new car for this year.

“We plan on a full attack on the Irish National Championship and the Forestry Championship, and there’s the MIJRS (Motorsport Ireland Junior Rally Series), a mixed surface championship for young, up-and-coming drivers. Our plan is to push towards getting a Billy Coleman nomination this year – and hopefully bring home a championship.”

Oran expressed his gratitude to those who attended the launch on Friday and to Barry Coleman and the Lough Owel Motors team who hosted it: “It was great to see so many people there and a lovely opportunity to engage with sponsors, huge thanks to Lough Owel Motors and Peugeot for making it happen, lovely to meet so many youngsters from the Mullingar area and their parents. Who knows? There may be future karters and rally drivers in that group.”

Co-driver Darragh Mullen is a member of Westmeath and District Motor Club and brings a high level of experience to the Peugeot 208 Rally4 cockpit as the reigning British Junior co-driving Rally Champion. He estimates he has competed on more than 200 rallies.

Darragh’s partner is from Glenidan and he spends a lot of his time in this area. He has international rallying experience, and says that joining the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy has been a huge help in bringing on his skills and knowledge.

“They give you hints and tips and tricks, and there’s a lot of training in the background that no one ever sees. It does help solidify the professional aspect of it, so it has been great. And then opportunities come from that as well. A big thanks to them for the last two years as well,” said Darragh.

The links through the academy and karting led to Darragh’s path crossing with Oran’s, and the pair are now looking forward to a productive year. Oran England Motorsport is supported by Lough Owel Motors; Peugeot Ireland; TEE Fire Safety Solutions; BJD Electrical; The Mason’s Apron; BSR Plant and Civil; Fortus; Streamline Coaches; OHR; CA Hire.