Moffett and Fulton take third in Azores Rally

Irelands Young Rally Driver of the Year, 24 year old Josh Moffett from Monaghan, had a superb start to his European Rally Championship campaign when he and his Cavan co-driver James Fulton took their Combilift Ford Fiesta to third place overall in the Azores Rally, held on the tiny Atlantic island, writes Richard Burke.

Moffett and Fulton are contesting the Junior Under-28 Championship, and this was a great start to their season, overcoming very difficult conditions with heavy fog causing poor visibility all through the stag es.

Fulton said afterwards "it was very difficult, nothing like I have ever experienced before. We just said to ourselves we had to get our heads down, focus and remember it was the same for everyone else and we got through it."

Portuguese ace Bruno Magalhaes was the outright rally winner ahead of last years European Junior champion Marijan Griebel, with the Irish pair climbing through the field to take the final podium position at the finish.

At home, multiple Circuit of Ireland winner Derek McGarrity and local man Diarmuid Falvey dominated the Rose Hotel Circuit of Kerry Rally, finishing ahead of veteran Kenny McKinstry, with Kevin Barrett in third place. Photo: Padraic Foran.