After 11 years with McGrady Insurance of Downpatrick as title sponsor, the 2025 season will be branded the Brown & Brown Rally Championships as the local business rebrands to its parent global insurance company to line up in a television package with Greenlight International.
All nine rounds, across the two championships – Motorsport UK Northern Ireland Rally Championship and Motorsport UK Northern Ireland Forest Rally Challenge – are supported by Brown & Brown Insurance and for the first time, thanks to increased support from sponsors and organising motor clubs, both the Rally Championship and the Forest Rally series will be added to the television coverage pioneered by the Micra Challenge to make a 14 event world-wide broadcast package showcasing the best of local motorsport.
McGrady Insurance has spoken about the rebrand, following its long association with rallying in Northern Ireland.
“Brown & Brown is one of the world’s largest insurance intermediary groups, headquartered in Florida, USA, with a strong global presence including brokerages across the UK and Ireland. McGrady Insurance, along with Digney Grant in Newry and ABL Group – with offices in Belfast, Coleraine, and Armagh – are all part of the same insurance intermediary group, now uniting under the Brown & Brown name. Together, these Northern Ireland-based businesses bring decades of local knowledge and industry connections to businesses and individuals across the region. In spring 2025, they will officially rebrand as Brown & Brown, combining their collective strengths while continuing to deliver the trusted service their clients rely on.”
“We at McGrady Insurance / Brown & Brown are thrilled to continue our support for the Northern Ireland Rally Championship as it launches another exciting new year,” said Aidan Hughes of McGrady Insurance / Brown & Brown.
“Motorsport has always been close to our hearts, and we’re proud to play a role in ensuring the championship thrives. This year marks an important milestone as the competition becomes the Brown & Brown Rally Championship, reflecting McGrady Insurance’s official transition into the Brown & Brown family. While the name may be new, our commitment to the rallying community remains as strong as ever.”
Championship Coordinator, Gavin Campbell added, “We are delighted to renew our long-term relationship with McGrady Insurance under the new title of Brown and Brown and we particularly welcome the additional support which is assisting the further development of the NI Rally Championship and the Forest Rally Challenge. With local drivers now competing at the top levels of our sport it’s great to see that the strength of local rallying continues to grow.”
A global audience of well over 250 million will be reached with highlights featuring within the Motorsport Mundial programmes and worldwide viewing under the Planet Speed and Max Power programmes.
Brown & Brown Motorsport UK Northern Ireland Rally Championship 2025
RD1:March 8 Race & Rally Bishopscourt Stages – Ballynahinch & District MC
RD2:April 5 GO Tour of the Sperrins – Magherafelt & DMC
RD3:May 24 Eakin Brothers Brian James Trailers Stages – Maiden City MC
RD4:July 5 PRM Loughgall Stages – North Armagh Motor Club
RD5:July 19 Down Rally – Rathfriland Motor Club
Brown & Brown Motorsport UK Northern Ireland Forest Rally Challenge 2025
RD1:February 22 Samsonas Fivemiletown (Postponed due to Storm Eowyn) – Omagh MC
RD2:September 6 Trailer Parts Lakeland Stages – Enniskillen MC
RD3:September 19 McKelvey Bushwhacker Rally – Omagh MC (Leg 1)
RD4:September 20 McKelvey Bushwhacker Rally – Omagh MC (Leg 2)
RD5:October 11 Dogleap Rally – Maiden City MC
