Latest news with #WiltonRecyclingDonegalInternationalRally
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.
Irish Examiner
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Motorsport: Paddon targets Donegal success on first competitive Irish outing
Reigning and double European Rally Champion, New Zealander Hayden Paddon (Hyundai i20 N Rally2) gets his first competitive taste of Irish rallying shortly after eleven o'clock on Friday on the 14.3km Malin Head stage, the first of the weekend's twenty stages of the Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally. Although the three-day Letterkenny-based event is the fourth round of the NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, the fact that both Keith Cronin and Matt Edwards, have for different reasons, paused their rallying, some of the usual shine has been taken from the series. However, the presence of Paddon along with Kesh driver Jon Armstrong and Moira's William Creighton has cranked up the competition level in the north-west. Paddon has faced both and indeed top seed Callum Devine in last year's Rali Ceredigion in Wales, where the New Zealander took a comfortable victory. However, Donegal will be very different as Paddon told the Irish Examiner yesterday morning. "We (with his Cork born co-driver David Moynihan) have just completed all our recce (reconnaissance), the stages are very fast and technical at the same time. It's going to be very difficult to be at the same speed as the locals when you don't have the knowledge of the roads. We're going to do the best job we can but its difficult when you don't have the experience. Ceredigion was even, we had the same amount of experience but coming here is different as they (local drivers) know the roads so well and we have respect for that. "First and foremost we've come here to enjoy ourselves. The second pass through the stages will be quicker, but until you actually drive them for the first time and have a feel of all the bumps and how the car reacts you don't know. For sure on the second pass you would be more confident." He concluded: "It's a big challenge for us both, obviously Dave (co-driver) has got to learn my pacenote system and for me it's a different voice that you hear in the intercom and how I interpret the words. A challenge is good, it makes it more exciting." Paddon will try and add his name to other luminaries that have triumphed in Donegal like Achim Armbold (1975), Ari Vatanen (1978) and Sebastien Loeb (2007) all of whom have added to the event's legendary status. Top seed Devine will be followed off the start line by Jon Armstrong - fresh from a fine third place on last weekend's Rally Poland and without the shackles of a championship bid, he's unlikely to hold back. In any case, such is the pace, there's no time to adopt a wait and see process when seconds or even parts of, are crucial. Creighton missed the last round of the BRC but arrives in Donegal as leader of the BRC courtesy of his victory in the East Riding Stages and second on the Carlisle Stages. At the wheel of the MEM Castrol-backed Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, he is fulfilling a personal desire. "Donegal is a rally that I've always wanted to contest in a Rally2 car. It's such a special event for Irish rallying and the atmosphere is second to none. The pace at the front of the ITRC is very strong. There's no room for error. It's important to find a good rhythm from the beginning of the rally. But that's what makes it such a brilliant challenge." Others in the top ten are Monaghan's Josh Moffett (Citroen C3 Rally2) and Welsh ace Meirion Evans in the second of the MEM Castrol Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 cars, who will be aiming to go one better than last year when he finished 17.4s behind Devine. "I'm happy with where I am with the Yaris Rally2 at the moment and I hope I can translate that into a really strong performance again. Our speed on the Rally of the Lakes in Killarney was really good and we managed to move our pace forward a bit more on the Jim Clark Rally. It would be great to go one better this time." Today's first leg is a loop of three stages repeated twice with servicing in Carndonagh.
Irish Independent
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
Gardaí warn dangerous driving or anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated over Donegal Rally weekend
Taking place from Friday, June 20 to Sunday, June 22, The Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally, attracts thousands of spectators each year over the three days and is recognised as one of Ireland's most popular motorsport events. Over the weekend, gardaí will have a major operation in place aiming to prevent anti-social behaviour and driving incidents. Garda Inspector Sean McDaid said the Donegal International Rally is the biggest motorsport event in Ireland, attracting huge crowds to the County. "An Garda Síochána has a major operation in place. "Our priority is public safety. "All those attending the rally and visiting Donegal over the weekend are asked to comply with Garda directions and to behave with respect and care to other road users. "Gardai will be out in force throughout the weekend with a robust operation. "Dangerous driving or anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated,' said Inspector McDaid. Chief Executive of Donegal County Council, John G. McLaughlin said visitors are welcome in the county and the Donegal International Rally is an opportunity to showcase the vibrant communities and scenic beauty of the county. However, with increased traffic and activity, motorists are asked to prioritise the safety of all road users. 'We urge everyone travelling in the area to plan your journeys, drive with caution and be mindful of your own and others' safety. "We would ask everyone to respect local communities, businesses and neighbourhoods while enjoying the weekend activities. "By working together, we can ensure this is a safe, enjoyable, and successful weekend,' said Mr McLaughlin. Donegal Motor Club added it is imperative that the road safety message is used throughout the week of the event. 'The Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally is Ireland's biggest and most followed in Motorsport Ireland. "Attracting drivers from all over Ireland and around the world, showcasing Donegal to millions of people. "And it's a great privilege to work with our colleagues from the Donegal County Council and An Garda Síochána. "Please obey the rules of the roads and leave the speed to the drivers on the stages. "Keep the race in its place this weekend and keep the roads safe for everyone.' The Donegal Road Safety Working Group are urging rally-goers to make safety a priority throughout the weekend, that public roads are shared spaces and to keep the race in it place. A spokesperson said, 'Leave plenty of time for your journey. 'Never drink, take drugs, or use your phone while driving; one split second of distraction can change lives forever. 'Respect the Gardaí and marshals as their guidance keeps everyone safe. 'Watch the Rally from designated safe viewing areas. 'Stick to the speed limit between stages and after the event.' Details of road closures across the county can be found at The public can also keep up to date on road closures in the area by signing up for free alerts by phone by registering at or by following Donegal County Council on Facebook or on X(Twitter).
The Irish Sun
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Irish rally driver ‘lucky to be here' after horror crash as he thanks quick-thinkers for ‘actions that saved my life'
FERMANAGH rally driver Garry Jennings revealed he is "lucky to be here" following a horror car crash. Jennings and co-driving teammate Brian Hoy were hospitalised with serious but non-life-threatening injuries from the accident on Sunday's Cavan Stages. 2 Garry Jennings before the Joule Donegal International Rally in 2022 Credit: Philip Fitzpatrick/Sportsfile 2 Garry Jennings and Rory Kennedy in their Ford Fiesta Rally 2 during day two of the Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally Round 5 of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship in 2024 Credit: Philip Fitzpatrick/Sportsfile Their Ford Fiesta Rally2 car was rendered a write-off due to the force of the crash which saw it collide with a tree. Jennings was diagnosed with a broken leg, sternum, shoulder and wrist, while Hoy was taken to Dublin with a broken leg and arm. But He said: 'I have been rallying for 25 years and I have never been involved in anything as big as what happened on Sunday. Read More on Motorsport "There have been a few pictures of the car on social media and when I saw them, I said, 'No one is coming out of that alive'. "I am very lucky to be here – I honestly believe that I have missed my destination with death, that is how bad it was.' Jennings owed gratitude to four quick-thinking people. The duo were trapped int the car which was on its roof at the side of the road in a field for more than an hour. Most read in Motorsport At this point, fellow racers Cathan McCourt and Barry McNulty, and Declan Boyle and Paddy McCrudden, intervened to free them from the car and save their lives. Tragedy at the Jim Clark Rally: Remembering Dai Roberts Jennings explained: 'Without a doubt, their actions saved my life and the life of Brian as well. 'A group of spectators slowed them down and said that we were dead and not to bother checking on us. "Thankfully they did and myself and Brian are both alive to tell the tale. 'I was drifting in and out of consciousness when they arrived. "They were calling my name and when they checked my airways, they could see I was choking on my tongue. "They sorted that and stayed with us for about an hour until we were finally freed from the car. "Without a doubt those four fellas kept us going. "We both owe our lives to them."
