09/09/2025
NEWS FROM MANX AUTO SPORT
Tuesday 9 September 2025
Seeded entry confirmed for Chris Kelly Rally supported by J and S Handling Ltd (Forklifts)
The Chris Kelly Rally on the Isle of Man will run with a capacity entry on Saturday October 4 after the seeded entry list for the event was unveiled by the organising team at Manx Autosport.
The return to running two closed-road special stage rallies a year on the island has been a big step for Manx Autosport, but the decision to run the Chris Kelly event to a one-day format has met with widespread approval and competitors will flock to the island for the chance to compete on some sensational closed roads.
The original plan was for a maximum of 60 entries but that was subsequently extended by adding another 10 places to cope with demand. The capacity entry list has both quality and quantity, as well as a very encouraging number of Isle of Man based crews.
The Chris Kelly Rally will offer eight special stages and 54 competitive miles on some classic roads in the centre of the island around Brandywell, with central service at the Isle of Man Kart Racing Association base at Jurby for Saturday. 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 0904hrs, with the first car due back at the finish at around 1700hrs. There will be service after each pair of stages. The roads will close at 0800hrs and re-open no later than 1800hrs. It is an offence to walk or drive on the roads when they are closed and doing so could result in arrest.
The top four features three VW Polo GTi R5s and three crews from Ireland making the trip. At car one is Donegal’s Aaron McLaughlin in his Polo and he will be followed by Northern Ireland's Niall McGonigle in his Ford Fiesta Rally2. Frank Wray brings his Polo GTi R5 to the island for the first time to run third on the road before the first of the English crews, John Stone with co-driver Kirsty Duke in his Polo GTi R5.
The first all Isle of Man crew is at five with Steve Colley and Joe Dooley in their Mitsubishi Lancer E9 while Darren Atkinson has his very potent Ford Es**rt Mk2 as the first two-wheel drive car at car six.
Former asphalt champion Damian Cole comes from Wales with his Citroen C3 Rally2 and is seeded at seven ahead of Lee Edwards and Sam Spencer in the spectacular Ford Es**rt G3.
Maxx Bradshaw and Stephen Christian are the next all local crew at nine in their Mitsubishi Lancer E9 before Welsh crew Gareth Thomas and Ryan Thomas-Hands round out the top 10 in their Ford Es**rt Mk2. Other notable Manx crews include Gary Leece at 15 in his Skoda Fabia, Tim Cole at 18 in his BMW and Andrew Dudgeon at 19 in his Ford Es**rt Mk2.
With Ford Fiesta Rally2s, Skoda Fabias, Proton Satrias, Ford Es**rt Cosworths and much more running right down the entry list, the field has both quality and quantity.
Mark Ellison from Manx Autosport said: “When we decided to run the Chris Kelly Rally as a one-day event, there were some doubts about the potential competitor response. We are absolutely thrilled to have taken 70 entries and filled the entry list. It promises to be a tremendous day on some of the classic roads of the island that traditionally feature in our Manx Rally in the spring.”
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: [email protected]
