Donegal rallying star James McShea relishes ‘class’ experience in Norway

An experience of a lifetime for sure, but for Letterkenny’s James McShea, last week was an opportunity to hone his skills in a completely new environment: a frozen Norwegian lake!

Along with Kyle Drury from Cavan, the two youngsters, who finished first and second in the 2025 J1000 class of the Irish Forest Rally Championship, were afforded the opportunity to travel to Scandinavia thanks to the Craig Breen Foundation, and its work to continue the legacy started by Craig in 2023 who committed to supporting the next generation of Rally talent right from the very start of their careers.

For Letterkenny man James and Kyle, joined by their fathers Niall and Raymond, their time driving on the Snow and Ice of Norway would take place at the world-renowned John Haugland Winter Rally School, with expert guidance along the way from the legendary Haugland, himself a works-driver in his day and now driving coach to a who’s who of World Rallying from his Dagali base, as well as Andreas Bakkerud.

A star of World and European Rallycross, Bakkerud has driven for some of the largest teams in the sport. Having known Craig, he was full of praise for the work of the foundation and the opportunity it is giving to youngsters like James and Kyle.

“The Foundation is awesome, and something every country should learn from. Seeing the passion that Craig had and how that is being transferred to youngsters in Ireland is incredible,” Bakkerud said.

“James and Kyle have been here the last two days and they have learned so much and progressed a huge amount. Both have had different challenges, but we have taken them step-by-step, and they have responded really impressively.”

With both having competed exclusively in the J1000 feeder series to date, the time in Norway allowed Kyle and James to experience a real mix of machinery. The opening day was spent mixing between a Nissan Almera GTi and a Group-A Peugeot 306 GTi, while the second day saw the pair also get a taste of rear-wheel-drive machinery with a very special Volvo 940, all of which were equipped with studded ice tyres for the ideal Nordic conditions. With over 400km of driving under their belts, it was clear to hear the excitement from James.

Speaking after his final session, James McShea said, “Very good two days. It was some experience out on the frozen lake, the sun above the mountains, just class. Nothing like I have ever done before. A lot of learning from both John & Andreas, two absolute legends who I look up to, and I’m very grateful to them both for the teaching over the two days.”

Having both made the step up from their VW Up J1000 cars in Ireland, the experience of the Volvo on Ice was a definite highlight with James adding “It was definitely something different, but for a first time in rear-wheel-drive was very fun to learn in”.

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Having learned both in a classroom environment as well as over two intensive days of driving on the Norwegian lake, 2026 is a massive year in store for James. The 16-year-old will leave behind the J1000 ranks and progress to Class 2A and the first step on the FIA Ladder with Homologated R2 machines with James McShea starting his season in a Peugeot 208 R2 on the Sligo-based Yeats Ridge Forest Rally in February.

The prize package for McShea from the Craig Breen Foundation continues right across the year, receiving financial support towards the 2026 campaign, a pacenote session with 5-time WRC event winner Paul Nagle, and a trip to Portugal lies in store where he will be a part of the Sports&You team for a weekend on a round of the Portuguese Rally Championship, before testing a Hyundai i20N Cup Car.