Having previously competed in RallyX behind the wheel of a Volvo C30, Peter McGarry is set to take a major step forward in his career this season by entering the Open 2WD category in a high-performance VW Polo. The former Irish Rallycross Champion from Dublin sees the RallyX South Championship as the perfect opportunity to test himself against some of Europe’s top specialists in the sport.
With over fifteen years of competition experience in Ireland and the UK, McGarry’s desire to explore new horizons led him to enter RallyX South.
“I have been wanting to discover new tracks in Europe for a long time and the Open 2WD category of the RallyX series is the perfect place to do that,” says Peter.
“The championship has made a real effort to add some of the best European tracks to its calendar over the last few seasons, and 2025 will be no exception. The creation of the Southern Championship this winter has also made our logistical planning much easier, which is why we decided to commit to this programme.”
As RallyX continues to attract more and more high-profile drivers, McGarry had no hesitation in leaving his native Ireland to take on the best.
“As well as the chance to compete on some of the best rallycross tracks in Europe, the paddock atmosphere in RallyX is always incredibly welcoming. Of course, the long journeys take a lot of effort, but that’s something that every driver in this championship has to deal with – we all make sacrifices to be here. This shared commitment fosters a deep mutual respect between all the teams, because everyone understands just how much it takes to get on the grid.”
McGarry won’t be the only Irish driver looking to make an impact in 2025. He’ll be joined by two-time European champion Derek Tohill, who has also decided to compete in RallyX South.
“Over the years, the Irish flag has flown proudly at the biggest international rallycross events, and even at my modest level, it’s an incredible honour to continue that tradition. Ireland has a passionate rallycross community and Derek Tohill remains one of our greatest ambassadors. However, while I have the utmost respect for all that he has achieved in our sport, I won’t hesitate to push him wide in the first corner at Montalegre if the situation calls for it!”
McGarry, who previously raced a Volvo C30, has opted for a much more competitive machine – a VW Polo that was a dominant force in the Norwegian Rallycross championship.
“I sold the Volvo at the end of last year to another Irish driver, who will hopefully use it in RallyX in the near future. Now we have the privilege of competing with a VW Polo that has shone in the hands of Jonas Dalseth Jacobsen and Marcus Myrseth in the Norwegian championship. After a quick trip to Norway late last year to meet the owner, Knut-Ove Borseth, we quickly made the decision to bring the Polo back to Ireland”
McGarry’s car features a chassis built by KA Nilssons in Sweden, paired with a 3.0-litre Kohler engine and a UNIC gearbox.
“We’re still in the learning phase with the car, but we plan to continue testing in Ireland before the start of the RallyX season.”
Fully aware of the fierce competition in the Open 2WD category, McGarry has no intention of being just a spectator.
“Our first objective will be to survive!” he laughs.
“We know that the level of competition in Open 2WD will be incredibly high, but at the same time we’re not here to make up the numbers. I still have a lot to learn, but hopefully we can close the gap to the front runners as the season progresses.”