Conor Shanahan To Bring Drift Mastery To The Cork 20 Rally 2025
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Conor Shanahan is set to swap sideways tire roasting for flat-out rallying as he takes on the O’Connell Group Cork “20” Rally 2025 held on October 4th and 5th. Entering in the highly competitive Class 14 and fresh from clinching his second Drift Masters Championship title just last weekend, the 21 year old Ballymacmoy driver will return to home soil tackling some of the fastest and most demanding tarmac stages Ireland has to offer.
The Munster Car Club confirmed Shanahan’s entry with excitement already mounting. Speaking ahead of the rally, he said: “I’m delighted to be competing in Class 14 for this year’s Cork ‘20’ Rally and I’m looking forward to driving these top-class stages.” For Shanahan, who has built his reputation on car control at the absolute limit, the rally presents a chance to show his versatility.
Adding to the spectacle, Shanahan’s father John will also drive the event in a Toyota Corolla Twin Cam in Class 13. His brother Jack, who claimed third in the Drift Masters standings, will also be present making it a true Shanahan family outing. To top it off, the Red Bull truck and the brother’s drift cars will be in the service park, ensuring a strong crossover of rally and drift fanbases.
First run more than a century ago, the Cork 20 Rally is one of the crown jewels of Irish rallying. Its name derives from its original 20-hour format, a punishing endurance test that set it apart in the early years of motorsport. Today, while the event has evolved into a modern, compact rally, its DNA remains the same: high-speed, high-commitment stages across the Cork countryside that push cars and crews to their absolute limits.
As a long-standing round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship (ITRC), the Cork 20 has seen legendary performances from some of rallying’s finest and remains a proving ground for up-and-coming drivers who want to test themselves against the best. For many, it’s not just another rally; it’s a rite of passage.
This year’s rally features a competitor-friendly format designed to maximize stage mileage while keeping the compact structure that drivers and teams appreciate. With Shanahan entering fresh off international success, anticipation is running high. For him, it’s not just about adding another event to his CV, it’s about taking on a rally that is part of his local heritage, and proving that his skill behind the wheel extends far beyond drifting.
For more information on Cork "20" Rally visit their Facebook page here.
