James Deane to make Rallycross debut as European championship returns to Ireland

Michael McAleer

European Rallycross will return to Mondello Park for the first time in more than three decades on July 18th and 19th.

The event marks the first staging of a round of the FIA European Rallycross Championship in Ireland since the a round of the last FIA was held at the Co Kildare track in 1994.

Rallycross features short, explosive races on a surface split between dirt and tarmac, with drivers constantly fighting for grip as they throw their cars sideways through tight corners and power down high-speed straights.

The race cars are capable of hitting 0–100km/h in under 2 seconds, and the mix of speed and door-to-door proximity from the starting line leads to exciting battles, aggressive moves, and drivers pushing right to the edge of control.

This month's event will see some of Europe's leading drivers compete on the mixed tarmac and gravel circuit. Among those on the entry list are Irish drifting star James Deane, who will make his Rallycross debut after winning five Formula Drift titles in the United States.

He will be joined by Ireland's Derek Tohill, a 10-time Irish Rallycross champion and former British Rallycross champion, who will compete in his Peugeot 208 WRX Supercar.

Rising Irish driver Patrick O'Donovan is also expected to line up as he looks to challenge Europe's top competitors on home soil.

Organisers expect competitors and teams from across Europe to travel to Mondello Park for what they hope will mark the start of a revival of top-level Rallycross in Ireland.

Away from the track, the event will also include live entertainment and family attractions.