Callum Devine on course to complete hat-trick at Donegal International Rally
A winner of the Irish Tarmac Championship fixture in 2023 and again in 2024, the Claudy man is aiming to emulate Cathal Curley (1972-1974), Billy Coleman (1984-1986), and the late Manus Kelly who dominated his home meeting between 2016 and 2018 respectively.
Devine was quickest out of the blocks on yesterday's 'Malin Head' opener in his Michelin-shod Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, with that setting the tone for much of the Friday leg.
'I am happy enough with how the first leg has gone, it has been a very good day,' reflected Devine, who provisionally leads by 12.4 seconds. 'The speed and times are both there.
'The pace is fast – as fast as it has been all year, actually – and it is nice to be in the mix. The priority now is to ensure we get a good rest overnight because Saturday is a big day.'
Although he did not record quickest times on each of the six stages, Devine was able to move into a comfortable lead as some big Rally2 names suffered unexpected setbacks.
Event debutant Hayden Paddon was fifth after the opening loop in his C&M Motorsport Hyundai i20 N Rally2 having reported a moment on stage one, a trip into a ditch on two, and a set-up that left the Korean supermini nervous over the bumps and jumps on three.
Despite this, and revealing his car felt underpowered for Friday's closing two runs, his time competing in the sport's top tier came to the fore as he vaulted up to second place. 'We are not in the window with the car – it has been challenging but it has also been enjoyable,' the New Zealander said.
The battle for third-position is also finely poised but it is Welshman Meirion Evans that currently enjoys the upper-hand over Castrol MEM driving-mate William Creighton who was happier with the ride of his Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 as he arrived the overnight halt.
M-Sport Ford driver Jon Armstrong set the same time as Devine on 'Malin Head' and led after the second test before his works-supported M-Sport Ford Fiesta was struck down with driveshaft failure, leaving it with front-wheel-drive for the seven miles of 'Coolcross'.
That demoted him to ninth overall, however, with his car repaired by mechanics at service in Letterkenny, he went on to win two of the afternoon stages to pass Josh Moffett for fifth.
Saturday's action comprises four loops of two stages, with the first – the 7.45-miles of 'High Glen' – scheduled to get underway just before 10 o'clock in the morning.
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