Mayo stages rally to return to popular town after 20 years away

All roads will lead to the picturesque town of Westport on the weekend of March 1 2026 as plans are in gear for the Mayo Stages Rally to roll back into the Adventure Capital of Ireland. Despite stages being run in the area in the late 2000s, Westport, located on the famous Wild Atlantic Way hasn't hosted the high octane event since January 2002.

The Mayo Stages Rally Clerk of the Course, and proud Covey Stephen McGing said: “It is fantastic to announce the return of the event to Westport. It is important to bring the rally to the area so locals and tourists alike get a chance to see the rally cars and drivers up close as elements of the rally will operate as a family-friendly event, further promoting Westport as a town that has something for all ages. It is also an opportunity for local businesses to get a well-earned spin-off from the weekend which will see over 160 Rally crews arrive into town.”

Organised by Mayo and District Motor Club, the Mayo Stages Rally is a race against the clock, pitting crews (driver and co-driver) against a section of road (stages). The 2026 Westport event will feature three challenging stages run three times, offering what Stephen and his team of organisers describe as a “tricky, yet very enjoyable test.”

With minimal road mileage and all logistics, and scrutiny, sign-on, and service based in the heart of Westport the rally promises a compact and highly competitive format.

READ MORE: Paschal Donohoe to visit Mayo to open new constituency office of new TD Keira Keogh

Top Local driver and current holder of the Margaret McGreal Award for top Mayo crews on Mayo Stage Rally events, John Warren was excited to hear the news of the rally coming to Westport as he stated “As our home event, going into Mayo Stages Rally always feels special with a lot of excitement and support from locals that recognise the McHale Rally2 Fiesta, but this one is a little extra special because myself and my co-driver and wife Ruthann only started competing in rallying in 2011 so we’ve never got to experience the roads around Westport, this is going to be an extra special one, we’ve had good results in Mayo in the past so we’ll look forward and do as much as we can to get a top result again!”

More details on the event will be announced in the coming weeks as the team continue to work through the key aspects involved in running the event in line with strict Motorsport Ireland regulations and safety guidelines.

The Mayo Stages Rally is one of the biggest sporting events to take place in the region and brings significant revenue into the area. In addition to the rally competitors, their service crews, friends and family, many thousands of spectators, estimated at least in the tens of thousands will visit Mayo over the weekend. With all these people requiring accommodation as well as food and beverages, it is clear to see that the Mayo Stages Rally brings a welcome boost to the local economy.