John Warren and Ruthann O’Connor recorded their best result to date in the McHale Fusion 4 Plus Ford Fiesta during an action-packed Fastnet Rally based in Bantry, Co Cork over the weekend.

On Sunday’s demanding 14km opening stage, No.1 seed Declan Boyle was the first to get caught out when his Skoda Fabia Rally2 ended up laying on its side midway through the West Cork terrain; in fact by the first service halt at the end of 3 stages, more than 10 cars had retired from the 140 starters.

For the second loop John and Ruthann, like some other crews, opted for wet weather tyres as conditions deteriorated, a decision which helped them to climb steadily up the leader board as they returned to Bantry for the last service of the day.

On the final loop of stages with Donegal’s Michael Boyle in his Skoda Fabia Rally2 maintaining his lead and going onto win his third Irish event on the trot, further drama continued in the top 10 with Ryan Loughran retiring his Fiesta Rally2 due to a broken wheel and damaged rear suspension, highlighting the ever-present tricky conditions that all crews faced.

Co-driver Ruthann was well impressed with their seventh-place overall finish on what is their last outing of 2025, “We were consistent throughout the day as we set times well inside the Top 10 on 6 out of 8 stages, the car felt really good and John drove with a careful consistency all day.”

Speaking at the finish ramp John was actually in a philosophical mood:

“While it hasn’t been our best season, we‘ve had a few bits of bad luck, but these things happen, that’s rallying, you can’t let the head drop, you just have to get on with it, but days and results like today’s seventh place help! It shows what we can achieve when things go right for us.”

He also added his thanks to IN Sport who have prepared and maintained the car all season, “Niall and the lads have been amazing” while also thanking West Tyre for their support and highlighting the super job Ruthann does in the co-driver’s seat, “She’s so organised and her calmness and composure in the car helps me stay focused behind the wheel”.

Photo Credits: Dermot Kelleher