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Donegal International Rally

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Donegal International Rally
CategoryRally
Inaugural season1972
Drivers' championNorthern IrelandCallum Devine
Co-Drivers' championRepublic of IrelandNoel O Sullivan
Irish Tarmac Rally Championship
Current season
Celtic Rally Trophy
Current season
European Rally Championship(1975-1979)
Donegal International Rally
DatesJune 20, 2025(2025-06-20)- June 22, 2025(2025-06-22)
FrequencyAnnual
Location(s)County Donegal
CountryRepublic of IrelandIreland
Most recent2024
Organised byDonegal Motor Club
SponsorWilton Recycling
WebsiteWebsite

TheDonegal International Rallyis an annual car race inCounty Donegal,Ireland. It is a well-established Irish annualrallycompetition and has been one of the most important events in the Irish Rallying calendar.[citation needed]It has a reputation for being one of the country's most challenging rallies.[1]Organized by theDonegal Motor Club,the annual event begins and concludes inLetterkenny.[2]

Donegal International Rally has been one of the rounds of theIrish Tarmac Rally Championshipfor a number of years.

History[edit]

1972 event[edit]

The winner of the first event was Cahal Curley. When the event began in 1972, it was based in Downings, but, afterwards, it moved to Letterkenny.

1985 event[edit]

At the 1985 event there was just a one second-difference between the top two finishing cars.

2001 event[edit]

The event, along with most events that year, was cancelled due to the outbreak offoot-and-mouth disease.[3]

This was significant blow to local economy. The event is estimated to be worth over €20 million to the Donegal economy each year. The rally attracts approximately 120,000 spectators each year.[citation needed]

2002 event[edit]

At the 2002 event two marshals were killed. The two 22-year-old men, one fromMoville,the other fromCrossmaglen,died when a car crashed into spectators at around 2.00 pm. Three men were also injured. The remaining stages of the event were cancelled after the serious accident on Stage Two.[4]Andrew Nesbitt was announced as winner as he led the rally at the time of the accident.

This led to the Motorsport Commission to inspect safety at all future events.[5]

2008 event[edit]

Crowds at the 2008 Rally inDonegal Town.

At the 2008 event an 18-year-old spectator died after being hit by a competing car, at 3.30 pm. The accident happened at Ballyare, about four miles from Letterkenny. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.[6][7][8]The road was closed and did not re-open for some time. Organisers cancelled the rally for the rest of the day and later announced that the 2008 event would be abandoned as a mark of respect[9][10]Eugene Donnelly was announced as winner as he led the rally at the time of the accident.

2010 event[edit]

On Saturday Afternoon 19 June 2010, a co-driver died after the car he was in crashed on the Knockalla stage, south of Portsalon, of the event shortly after 3 pm. Thomas Maguire, Aged 26, from Longwood, County Meath was killed and his driver, Shane Buckley, critically injured. As a result, the final stage of the rally was cancelled. This was the first time in the rally's history that a competitor was killed during the rally.[11]

2019 event[edit]

The Donegal Rally continued to be a counting round of the FIA Celtic Rally Trophy since 2016.[12]The event attracted a lot of international attention, includingKen Blockwho showcased hisFord Escort Cosworth.Ken crashed out at SS2 on the first day, but was back the second day underrally 2rule.[13]

Due to high traffic and spectator volumes, SS7 on the first day had to be cancelled as a safety measure.[14]On the third day of the rally, 23 June 2019 at approximately 12:30 IST, three-time and defending championManus Kellycrashed during a stage on theFanad Headloop. HisHyundai i20 R5went through a hedge into a field and was extensively damaged.Gardaíconfirmed that Kelly had died in the incident. His injured co-driver Donall Barrett was taken to hospital and the remaining stages of the rally were cancelled. A 41-year-old father of five and a prominent local businessman, Kelly had been elected toDonegal County Councilless than a month before his death. Numerous politicians and representatives of the Irish motorsport community expressed sympathy to his family and paid tribute to the late champion, with TaoiseachLeo Varadkarcalling him a "phenomenal motorsportsman."[15][16][17]At his funeral, 2014 champion Declan Boyle drove Kelly's Subaru Impreza S12B WRC before the funeral cortège, with Kelly's son in the passenger seat.[18]Following the funeral mass, Kelly's brothers and friends carried his coffin across the Donegal International Rally ramp.[19]

2020 event[edit]

On 12 March all motorsports events were postponed in the light of thecoronavirus pandemic.[20]On 20 March,Motorsport Irelandissued a statement that all motorsport events are suspended until 1 June 2020.[21]On 28 April the Tarmac Rally Organisers' Association (TROA) announced that the2020 Irish Tarmac Rally Championshipis cancelled.[22]There were hopes that the event could still go ahead anyway, as non-counting round of the ITRC.

Shortly after Motorsport Ireland announcement messages on Facebook started circulating that the Donegal Rally is cancelled.[23]Other sources claimed that it has been postponed.[24]Donegal Motor Clubstepped in to correct the rumours that the event is not cancelled, and if permitted, will go ahead as planned on 19–21 June.[25]However, after the government released a road map on easing the COVID-19 restrictions on 6 May,[26]Motorsport Ireland released a statement same day that in line with Phase 4 of this road map the suspension of all motor sports events is extended until the 20 July 2020. Rally events fall under Phase 5 of the guidelines and will not be considered until after the 10 August 2020.[27]The restrictions continued into 2021.

2021 event[edit]

As the country remained subject to restrictions aimed at controlling the ongoingCOVID-19 pandemic,the TROA made an announcement on 3 February 2021 to cancel the 2021 Championship.[28][29]As the vaccinations were progressing, at the end of MayMotorsport Irelandannounced that motorsports events can resume from 7 June, subject to local restrictions.[30]Remaining restrictions made impossible for Donegal International Rally to take place. Instead, avirtual Donegal Rallywas held on the traditional days of the event - series of virtual interviews, videos of past rallies, and social media posts.[31]

2022 event[edit]

This year's event consisted of 301 kilometres over 20 stages. It was a counting round of theIrish Tarmac Rally Championshipand theCeltic Rally Trophy.The starting grid was capped at maximum of 160 competitors, plus 25 historic and 25 junior competitors. The starting fee was EUR 1600. The event was labelled as the biggest rally of the year in Ireland.[32]An incident occurred where a 62-year-old man was arrested after damaging one of the competitor cars by cutting wires and the fuel lines.[33]

Winners[edit]

Year Driver Co-Driver Car Notes
1972 Northern IrelandCahal Curley United KingdomPeter Scott BMW 2002 [34]
1973 Northern IrelandCahal Curley United KingdomTerry Harryman Porsche Carrera
1974 Northern IrelandCahal Curley United KingdomVictor Armstrong Porsche Carrera
1975 GermanyAchim Warmbold United KingdomJohn Davenport BMW 2002
1976 Northern IrelandBrian Nelson United KingdomMalcolm Neill Porsche Carrera
1977 Republic of IrelandBilly Coleman United KingdomAustin Frazer Lancia Stratos HF
1978 FinlandAri Vatanen United KingdomPeter Bryant Ford Escort RS1800
1979 Northern IrelandBrian Nelson United KingdomRodney Cole Ford Escort RS1800
1980 ScotlandJimmy McRae United KingdomMike Nicholson Vauxhall Chevette HSR
1981 Republic of IrelandJohn Lyons Republic of IrelandBill Moffett Ford Escort RS1800
1982 Republic of IrelandJohn Lyons Republic of IrelandBill Moffett Ford Escort RS1800
1983 Republic of IrelandVincent Bonner Republic of IrelandSeamus McGettigan Ford Escort RS1800
1984 Republic of IrelandBilly Coleman Republic of IrelandRonan Morgan Opel Manta 400
1985 Republic of IrelandBilly Coleman Republic of IrelandRonan Morgan Porsche 911 SC RS
1986 Republic of IrelandBilly Coleman Republic of IrelandRonan Morgan MG Metro 6R4
1987 Northern IrelandBertie Fisher United KingdomAustin Frazer Opel Manta 400
1988 United KingdomMark Lovell United KingdomTerry Harryman Ford Sierra RS Cosworth
1989 WalesDavid Llewellin United KingdomPhil Short Toyota Celica GT-Four
1990 Republic of IrelandAustin McHale Republic of IrelandDermot O'Gorman BMW M3
1991 Republic of IrelandJames Cullen United KingdomEllen Morgan Ford Sierra RS Cosworth
1992 Northern IrelandBertie Fisher Republic of IrelandRory Kennedy Subaru Legacy RS
1993 Northern IrelandBertie Fisher Republic of IrelandRory Kennedy Subaru Legacy RS
1994 United KingdomStephen Finlay United KingdomRoy Campbell Ford Escort RS Cosworth
1995 Northern IrelandBertie Fisher Republic of IrelandRory Kennedy Subaru Legacy RS
1996 Northern IrelandAndrew Nesbitt Republic of IrelandGeorge Millar Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD
1997 Republic of IrelandAustin McHale Republic of IrelandBrian Murphy Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD
1998 Northern IrelandAndrew Nesbitt Republic of IrelandJames O'Brien Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD
1999 Republic of IrelandJames Cullen United KingdomEllen Morgan Subaru Impreza 555
2000 Northern IrelandAndrew Nesbitt Republic of IrelandJames O'Brien Subaru Impreza S5 WRC
2001 Event did not run,foot-and-mouth diseaseoutbreak [35]
2002 Northern IrelandAndrew Nesbitt Republic of IrelandJames O'Brien Subaru Impreza S6 WRC Event Cancelled after SS2[36]
2003 Northern IrelandAndrew Nesbitt Republic of IrelandJames O'Brien Subaru Impreza S7 WRC
2004 Republic of IrelandEugene Donnelly Republic of IrelandPaul Kiely Toyota Corolla WRC [37]
2005 Republic of IrelandEugene Donnelly Republic of IrelandPaul Kiely Toyota Corolla WRC [38]
2006 Northern IrelandAndrew Nesbitt Republic of IrelandJames O'Brien Mitsubishi Lancer WRC 05 [39][40]
2007 FranceSébastien Loeb MonacoDaniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC [41]
2008 Republic of IrelandEugene Donnelly Republic of IrelandPaul Kiely Škoda Fabia WRC Event Stopped after SS11[42]
2009 Republic of IrelandGareth MacHale Republic of IrelandBrian Murphy Ford Focus RS WRC 06 [43]
2010 Republic of IrelandGareth MacHale Republic of IrelandBrian Murphy Ford Focus RS WRC 06 Event Stopped after SS11[44]
2011 Republic of IrelandTim McNulty Republic of IrelandPaul Kiely Subaru Impreza S12B WRC 07 [45]
2012 Northern IrelandGarry Jennings Republic of IrelandNeil Doherty Subaru Impreza S14 WRC 08 [46]
2013 Republic of IrelandSam Moffett Republic of IrelandJames O'Reilly Subaru Impreza WRC [47]
2014 Republic of IrelandDeclan Boyle Republic of IrelandBrian Boyle Subaru Impreza S12B WRC 07 [48]
2015 Northern IrelandGarry Jennings Republic of IrelandRory Kennedy Subaru Impreza S12B WRC 07 [49]
2016 Republic of IrelandManus Kelly Republic of IrelandDonall Barrett Subaru Impreza S12B WRC 07 [50]
2017 Republic of IrelandManus Kelly Republic of IrelandDonall Barrett Subaru Impreza S12B WRC 07 [51]
2018 Republic of IrelandManus Kelly Republic of IrelandDonall Barrett Subaru Impreza S12B WRC 07 [52]
2019 Republic of IrelandSam Moffett Republic of IrelandJames Fulton Ford Fiesta RS WRC Event stopped after SS15[53]
2020 Event cancelled due toCOVID-19 pandemic
2021 Event cancelled due toCOVID-19 pandemic
2022 Republic of IrelandJosh Moffett Republic of IrelandAndy Hayes Hyundai i20 R5 [54]
2023 Northern IrelandCallum Devine Republic of IrelandNoel O Sullivan Volkswagen Polo R5
2024 Northern IrelandCallum Devine Republic of IrelandNoel O Sullivan Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 [55]
* as of 2022[34]
Driver most wins
Northern IrelandAndrew Nesbitt 6
Republic of IrelandBilly Coleman 4
Northern IrelandBertie Fisher 4
Driver most starts
Republic of IrelandRobbie Peoples 29
Republic of IrelandDaniel Conaghan 28
Republic of IrelandIvan Stewart 28
Republic of IrelandJames Cullen 25
Republic of IrelandThomas Keys 25
Republic of IrelandAustin MacHale 24
Republic of IrelandSeamus Gallagher 23
Republic of IrelandDamien Gallagher 23
Northern IrelandBertie Fisher 22
Most stage wins
Northern IrelandBertie Fisher 110
Northern IrelandAndrew Nesbitt 103
Republic of IrelandAustin MacHale 81
Republic of IrelandBilly Coleman 61
Republic of IrelandJames Cullen 60

Sponsors[edit]

The event was previously sponsored byShell,Topaz Energyand Joule. The current sponsors of the Donegal International Rally are Wilton Recycling and The Mount Errigal Hotel.

References[edit]

  1. ^"Jardine attempts vertical climb on Donegal. | Rally UK News".Archived fromthe originalon 11 October 2008.Retrieved14 June2008.
  2. ^"Donegal geared up for International Rally - RTÉ Sport".archive.md.11 September 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 11 September 2012.Retrieved23 November2021.
  3. ^"Shell Donegal International rally postponed".RTÉ.ie.28 March 2001.
  4. ^"Two marshals killed at Donegal Rally".RTÉ.ie.21 June 2002.
  5. ^"Rally safety to be reviewed".RTÉ.ie.23 June 2002.
  6. ^"Spectator dies in rally collision".RTÉ.ie.14 June 2008.
  7. ^"Tragedy halts Donegal Rally - RTÉ Sport".archive.md.9 September 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 9 September 2012.Retrieved23 November2021.
  8. ^"Spectator dies in rally accident".15 June 2008.Retrieved23 November2021.
  9. ^Rally ended as a mark of respect to deceased spectator – Highland Radio[permanent dead link]
  10. ^"Donegal Rally cancelled after 18-year-old man killed".independent.Retrieved23 November2021.
  11. ^"RTÉ Sport: Co-driver killed in Donegal Rally accident".RTÉ.ie.Archived fromthe originalon 22 June 2010.Retrieved2010-06-20.
  12. ^"Rally.ie - Stories - Donegal International Rally - 21-23 Jun 19".
  13. ^"Ken Block crashes out of Donegal Rally on SS2 – Donegal Daily".
  14. ^"Rally fans issued with safety warning as stage cancelled – Donegal Daily".
  15. ^"Taoiseach pays tribute to Manus Kelly".Highland Radio.25 June 2019. Archived fromthe originalon 26 June 2019.
  16. ^McNulty, Chris (23 June 2019)."County councillor Manus Kelly killed in crash at Donegal rally".Irish Times.Retrieved23 June2019.
  17. ^"Man killed in Donegal International Rally crash named as Manus Kelly".RTE News.23 June 2019.Retrieved23 June2019.
  18. ^"Rally car leads cortege at Manus 'Mandy' Kelly's funeral".Irish Times.27 June 2019.Retrieved27 June2019.
  19. ^"Manus Kelly touched so many people's hearts, mourners told".RTE News.27 June 2019.Retrieved27 June2019.
  20. ^"Motorsport Ireland Statement on Covid-19".Motorsport Ireland.12 March 2020. Archived fromthe originalon 20 March 2020.Retrieved14 March2020.
  21. ^"MOTORSPORT IRELAND STATEMENT ON COVID-19".Motorsport Ireland.20 March 2020. Archived fromthe originalon 18 April 2020.Retrieved20 March2020.
  22. ^"2020 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship Cancelled".Motorsport Ireland.28 April 2020. Archived fromthe originalon 19 May 2020.Retrieved28 April2020.
  23. ^"Log in or sign up to view".facebook.Retrieved23 November2021.
  24. ^"Rally.ie - Stories - Donegal International Rally - 19-21 Jun 20 - POSTPONED".
  25. ^"Log in to Facebook".Facebook.Retrieved23 November2021.
  26. ^"At a glance: What restrictions are going to be lifted and when?".RTÉ.ie.6 May 2020.Retrieved10 May2020.
  27. ^"A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO & PRESIDENT OF MOTORSPORT IRELAND".6 May 2020. Archived fromthe originalon 14 August 2020.Retrieved10 May2020.
  28. ^"Cancellation of 2021 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship".colerainechronicle.co.uk.Coleraine Chronicle. Archived fromthe originalon 1 March 2021.Retrieved2 April2021.
  29. ^"2021 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship called off".DirtFish.3 February 2021.Retrieved2 April2021.
  30. ^"Motorsport Ireland confirms gated motorsport can restart from June 7th".
  31. ^"Donegal Int Rally".Twitter.Retrieved23 November2021.
  32. ^"Details revealed for 2022 Donegal International Rally".11 May 2022.
  33. ^"Gardaí satisfied as 'only' 58 arrests made at Donegal International Rally".
  34. ^ab"Donegal Rally".
  35. ^"Shell Donegal International rally postponed".RTÉ.ie.28 March 2001. Archived fromthe originalon 20 September 2007.
  36. ^"Two marshals killed at Donegal Rally".RTÉ.ie.21 June 2002.
  37. ^"Donnelly wins Donegal Rally - RTÉ Sport".RTÉ.ie.Archived fromthe originalon 18 February 2013.
  38. ^"Donnelly takes Donegal rally win".18 June 2005.
  39. ^"Nesbitt wins Donegal Rally".RTÉ.ie.18 June 2006.
  40. ^"Nesbitt wins Shell Donegal International Rally | BreakingNews.ie".Archived fromthe originalon 14 June 2011.
  41. ^"Loeb a class apart in Donegal".17 June 2007. Archived fromthe originalon 14 March 2016.
  42. ^"Tragedy halts Donegal Rally".RTÉ.ie.14 June 2008.
  43. ^"McHale follows familiar footprints to win Donegal International Rally - Donegal Today".28 June 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 28 June 2009.Retrieved23 November2021.
  44. ^"Rally Results - Donegal International Rally, 2010".
  45. ^"Rally Results - Donegal International Rally, 2011".
  46. ^"Rally Results - Donegal International Rally, 2012".
  47. ^"Rally Results - Donegal International Rally, 2013".
  48. ^"Rally Results - Donegal International Rally, 2014".
  49. ^"Rally Results - Donegal International Rally, 2015".
  50. ^"Rally Results - Donegal International Rally, 2016".
  51. ^"Rally Results - Donegal International Rally, 2017".
  52. ^"Rally Results - Donegal International Rally, 2018".
  53. ^"Newly elected councillor Manus Kelly killed in Donegal rally; navigator injured".23 June 2019.
  54. ^"Rally Results - Donegal International Rally, 2022".
  55. ^"Rally Results - Donegal International Rally, 2024".results.shannonsportsit.ie.Retrieved23 June2024.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Donegal_International_Rally&oldid=1230731567"