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Irish Examiner
22-06-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Callum Devine and Noel O'Sullivan win Donegal International Rally for third year in a row
Callum Devine (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) took his third consecutive victory in the Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally amidst some of the toughest competition the Derry driver has ever faced. He finished 20.5 seconds ahead of the Toyota GR Yaris of Welsh driver Meirion Evans while Donegal driver David Kelly (VW Polo GTi R5) took a late third place following the final stage retirement of the Ford Fiesta Rally2 of Kesh driver Jon Armstrong. The top three of Devine, Evans and Kelly mirrored the same positions of last year's rally. The principal constant through Saturday's eight stages was Devine's possession of a lead margin that fluctuated throughout the day. On the first run through High Glen (SS7) Armstrong set the pace and moved from fifth to second with Devine actually increasing his lead to 17.3s. Evans remained third, just 0.2s behind Armstrong and a similar margin ahead of Creighton. However, Paddon slipped three places to fifth as he struggled with the handling of his Hyundai. On SS8 Lough Keel Creighton was quickest to become Devine's nearest challenger as he cut the deficit to 12.9s. Ironically, the former Junior World Rally champion was unhappy as he didn't get into a satisfactory rhythm. Evans, Armstrong and Paddon followed, the latter reckoning it was difficult to keep the Hyundai on the road. The repeat of both stages had consequences for some of Devine's rivals. Armstrong's Fiesta developed a mechanical issue that manifested itself about a kilometre into the stage that cost him some 20s as he dropped to fifth - 35.7s off the lead. Creighton, with another stage win, cut Devine's lead to 9s. Having raised the car and adjusted the dampers, Paddon was best through SS10 (Lough Keel) and slotted into fourth and was still very much in the hunt - 16.3s off top spot as Creighton took half a second from Devine. The afternoon stages were a double run over the iconic Knockalla and Garrygort. Creighton exceled and with another fastest stage time closed to within 5.7s of Devine, who experienced a problem with the handbrake. Maintaining a fine rhythm, Creighton continued to exert pressure on Devine and by the end of Garrygort, there was just 4.9s between them. For rally leader Devine, it was all about remaining calm and composed, a one-time 17.3s lead had evaporated in the sunshine to those 4.9s and given the handbrake issue, he couldn't afford to take any risks. Creighton's Toyota had some understeer that resulted in a slight altercation with the scenery that only yielded cosmetic damage. Evans, in third, had a slice of luck prior to the start of SS12 when he noticed the power steering pipe rubbing off the engine belt and was able to regularise matters. The day's final stages (repeats of SS11&12) brought double drama. Paddon's rally ended with a soft roll and little damage. There was no change at the top as Creighton and those that stopped at Paddon's accident were all given Devine's time for the stage. Creighton's bid for victory ended on the day's final stage when he punctured that saw him slide off the road - losing in excess of seven minutes. Overnight, he was classified 16th but opted not to compete on Sunday. Devine was back in something of a comfort zone overnight - leading Evans by 21.8s with Donegal's David Kelly (VW Polo GTi R5) 40.7s further adrift in what was a repeat of last year's final top three. Tyre choice was a lottery for Sunday's opening loop of three stages that saw Devine stretch his advantage over Evans to 30.1s as Armstrong was best on Atlantic Drive to leapfrog Kelly and slot into third over the wet roads. On a bone dry Fanad Head, Evans set the pace and pared the deficit back to 22.6s. Elsewhere, Kelly, Moffett and Michael Boyle (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) completed the top six, the latter taking advantage after his father Declan, in a similar car, who lost time with a front right wheel puncture. On the closing loop Devine secured his third consecutive victory in Donegal. "I was quite happy with my pace all weekend. I didn't have any moments." Given the calibre of the opposition, he concluded: "It just shows you the (pace) Irish Tarmac Rally Championship is pretty fast." Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally (Round 4, NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship) Letterkenny 1. C. Devine/N. O'Sullivan (Skoda Fabia RS Rally) 2h. 23m. 30.2s 2. M. Evans/G. Conway (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2)+20.5s 3. D. Kelly/A. Kierans (VW Polo R5)+1m. 02.4s 4. J. Moffett/A. Hayes (Hyundai i20 R5)+1m. 48.2s 5. M. Boyle/D. McCafferty (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+3m. 18.0s 6. D. Boyle/P. Walsh (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+4m. 03.3s 7. K. Eves/C. Melly (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+4m. 39.4s 8. J. Ford/N. Shanks (Citroen C3 Rally2)+5m. 27.4s 9. R. Loughran/D. McGettigan (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+6m. 28.4s 10. M. Boyle/G. Byrne (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+8m. 03.6s.
Irish Examiner
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Callum Devine and Noel O'Sullivan narrowly lead Donegal International Rally
With a pace that matched the searing heat, just thirty seconds cover the top six in the Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally following the six stages in Carndonagh during the opening leg of the three-day event. Derry's Callum Devine (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) and his Killarney co-driver Noel O'Sullivan, seeking a third straight victory, hold a 12.4s lead over the Hyundai of New Zealander Hayden Paddon and his Mallow born co-driver David Moynihan with the Welsh/Killarney duo of Meirion Evans/Ger Conway (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) 2.8s further behind in third. Devine and Armstrong were joint quickest on the opening stage at Malin Head with Paddon 1.9s behind and 0.3s ahead of Donegal's David Kelly (VW Polo GTi R5). Armstrong was best on SS2 Mamore Gap and moved into the lead just 0.9s ahead of Devine, who topped the time sheets on SS3 Coolcross, that completed the opening loop. At the Carndonagh service halt, Devine led by 7.1s. "The pace is fast for sure." His closest rival at the end of last year's rally Meirion Evans (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) had a steady run and moved into second place 3.3s ahead of his MEM team mate William Creighton. Having moved into the lead after SS2 Armstrong dropped to ninth place and thirty seconds off the lead when his Ford Fiesta R5 broke a driveshaft on SS3. Paddon was another to lose time when he spun on SS2 - by the end of the loop he was fifth 12.7s off the lead and 1.5s behind Josh Moffett, who reverted to his Hyundai i20 R5 for this latest round of the Irish Tarmac series. Kelly, who had been temporarily shown as rally leader after SS2, but in reality was seventh, climbed a place to occupy sixth, he reckoned that the stages were dustier than expected. Armstrong set a blistering pace on SS4 and SS5 and admitted to being a bit cautious on SS6 where the level of grip varied. Serving notice of intent he trimmed 9.3s off Devine's lead to leave the gap between them at 20.7s with 14 stages remaining over today (Saturday) and tomorrow. Leader Devine put the event in perspective saying: "There's no let-up in it, the pace is as fast as it's ever been, a second here and there, that's what you get when you bring professional drivers here. "It's trying to stay out of bother but you need to be on the pipe, but we are definitely happy. It's another big day tomorrow." Paddon enjoyed his afternoon as he continued to tweak his Hyundai, adding: "We are still struggling a bit, just for the feeling in the car and the roads are very demanding. You have got to have a lot of confidence in these stages with the car and in the conditions, I'm enjoying it but to be at the maximum, you need to be a hundred percent." Third placed Evans had what he described as his best Friday in Donegal with a strong pace without taking any risks. Josh Moffett completed the top six overnight. In what is set to be an absorbing battle, there are eight stages today and six on Sunday. Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally (Round 4, NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship) Letterkenny 1. C. Devine/N. O'Sullivan (Skoda Fabia RS Rally) 41m. 18.2s 2. H. Paddon/D. Moynihan (Hyundai i20 Rally2)+12.4s 3. M. Evans/G. Conway (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2)+15.2s 4. W. Creighton/L. Regan (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2)+15.4s 5. J. Armstrong/S. Byrne (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+20.7s 6. J. Moffett/A. Hayes (Hyundai i20 R5)+28.9s 7. D. Kelly/A. Kierans (VW Polo R5)+41.3s 8. D. Boyle/P. Walsh (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+44.9s 9. M. Boyle/D. McCafferty (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+53.7s 10. K. Eves/C. Melly (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m. 26.8s.
Belfast Telegraph
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
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.
The Hindu
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Sesks takes top honours; Team MRF claims overall title at Rally Poland
Team MRF Tyres claimed overall victory at the 81st ORLEN OIL Rally Poland – Rajd Polski 2025 — the fourth round of the FIA European Rally Championship. This was its second win in four events with Latvian ace Martins Sesks taking the top honours. Driving the Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, Sesks proved to be remarkably effective, delivering a standout, mature performance that left no room for rivals. He contributed significantly to Team MRF Tyres' bid for the team title, which the Indian premium competition-tyre brand is targeting this year. Team MRF Tyres leads the standings with 150 points after Rally Poland. Sesks won nine of the 14 special stages and crossed the finish line in Mikołajki with a 1m:06.3s lead over the nearest rival Mikołaj Marczyk (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2). He capped it with a commanding win in the final Power Stage. 'I am super happy, MRF Tyres has been amazing, great package — being back on the top step of the podium is an amazing feeling. The work they had done in developing these gravel tyres is good, and I enjoy driving on these stages a lot. Thanks to everyone involved,' said Sesks.
The Irish Sun
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Horror moment Max Verstappen's dad flips rally car in terrifying crash revealed in unseen footage
THIS is the horror moment Max Verstappen's dad Jos crashed and flipped his rally car at high speed. Disaster struck for the former F1 driver, 53, as he was competing in the Royal Rally of Scandinavia in Sweden. 4 Max Verstappen's father Jos suffered a nasty crash on Friday but emerged unscathed Credit: 4 Jos' rally car rolled after his rear wheels dipped in the gravel Credit: 4 He cracked the windscreen of his car and caused other damage, being forced to retire Credit: The rollover crash brought Jos and his navigator Renaud Jamoul's day to a halt earlier than expected last Friday. The pair started well - they were 18th overall and best out of the Master classification - but came unstuck on stage nine. It caused the Skoda Fabia RS Rally 2 to do a 360, suffering damage in the process, with newly released video painting a grim picture. READ MORE SPORT NEWS The latest clip showed the car with a huge crack in the windscreen, but fortunately, both Jos and Renaud escaped uninjured. Verstappen said: "I went a little bit too quick into the corner and then I missed the apex, the inside of the corner. "I was in the loose gravel, on full grass and I couldn't make the corner. Very easy to happen in this kind of rally. "It was a typical Sweden roll. I flipped it and I was back on the four wheels. Every crash should be a lesson. Most read in Motorsport CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "The roll cage is all fine but the front was a little bit damaged, there was some rear damage and one damper was broken. "I must say I really enjoyed it, the way of driving . Obviously these people from these countries they used to that, the only driving they do is on these kind of stages." Lewis Hamilton hit with grid penalty at Monaco Grand Prix after blunder saw him forced to apologise to Verstappen It was Verstappen Snr's third-ever start on an unfamiliar gravel surface. He didn't manage to travel to Barcelona to watch his son Max compete in the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday. The Red Bull ace championship leader Oscar Piastri. The 27-year-old also picked up three-penalty points after "deliberately" colliding with George Russell on Lap 61, when asked to let the Mercedes driver through after using an escape road. The punishment moves the race ban. 4
