The 2026 Motorsport Ireland National Kart Championships got underway at Kiltorcan Raceway, with strong grids across the IAME Cadet, X30 Junior and X30 Senior categories. With qualifying and heat results setting the grids for the finals, consistency across the day proved key, while several drivers produced impressive recovery drives to gain major positions by the end of the finals.
IAME Cadet
1. Ayda O’Brien
2. Jack Harney
3. Harley Brereton
Fastest Lap (Final): Jack Harney – 53.253
Biggest Improver (Heats → Final): Daniel Crowe (+7 positions)
Ayda O’Brien started the final from pole position and converted it into victory in the Cadet final, leading the field home after a strong and consistent day. Jack Harney, who showed strong pace throughout the heats and set the fastest lap in the final, finished second, while Harley Brereton completed the podium.
One of the standout drives came from Daniel Crowe, who moved forward through the field across the heats and final to gain seven positions overall across the day — one of the biggest improvements in the Cadet class.
X30 Junior
1. Jack McLoughlin
2. Zack Burke
3. Senan McLoughlin
Fastest Lap (Final): John Foley Jnr – 47.290
Biggest Improver (Heats → Final): Chad Laman (+9 positions)
Jack McLoughlin took a fine victory in the X30 Junior final after starting from pole position, with Zack Burke finishing second and Senan McLoughlin completing the podium.
The drive of the day in Juniors came from Chad Laman, who started deep in the grid after the heats but drove through the field in the final to gain nine positions across the day – one of the largest improvements across any class.
John Foley Jnr set the fastest lap of the final, showing front-running pace despite not finishing on the podium.
X30 Senior
1. Tadhg Buckley
2. Jack Buckley
3. Luke Agnew
Fastest Lap (Final): Jack Buckley – 46.634
Biggest Improver (Heats → Final): Aaron Murphy (+10 positions)
The Senior category produced some of the closest racing of the day. Jack Buckley started from pole position and won on track, but after a 5second penalty it was brother Tadhg Buckley who came through to take victory in the final. Jack Buckley finished second and also set the fastest lap of the race, while Luke Agnew completed the podium.
Aaron Murphy produced one of the standout drives of the entire event, gaining ten positions from his heat results to his final finishing position.
Biggest Movers of the Day
IAME Cadet Daniel Crowe +7
X30 Junior Chad Laman +9
X30 Senior Aaron Murphy +10
Round 1 Winners
IAME Cadet Ayda O’Brien
X30 Junior Jack McLoughlin
X30 Senior Tadhg Buckley
Fastest Laps in Finals
IAME Cadet Jack Harney 53.253
X30 Junior John Foley Jnr 47.290
X30 Senior Jack Buckley 46.634
Summary
Round 1 at Kiltorcan delivered a strong start to the championship season, with dominant performances at the front of the field and impressive recovery drives throughout the grids. With early championship points now on the board, the title battles are already beginning to take shape heading into Round 2.
