Just a few days separate us from the start of the biggest rallying event on the calender in Ireland, the Donegal International Rally. Crews from across the country flock to the North West every year for one of the most daunting, challenging and entertaining events in the country and judging by this year's entry list it's set to be a cracker!
Last year's winner Sam Moffett will lead the field away from Letterkenny on Friday afternoon and the Monaghan man will be eager to make it two in a row this year. Moffett along with co-driver James O'Reilly have been enjoying a fantastic run of form over the year and the pair have claimed a number of victories including the previous round of the Clonikilty Blackpudding Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, the Rally of the Lakes. That being said there is a lot of competition behind him all aiming for the same prize. Donegal natives Declan and Brian Boyle had a mixed year and will be looking for their first Donegal International win. After the disappointment of crashing out in Killarney the championship leaders will be hungry for success on home soil and cannot be discounted for victory. Seeded at number 3 is another previous winner of the event in Gary Jennings. Co-driven by the very experienced Rory Kennedy, Jennings hasn't managed a victory in the Tarmac Championship this year and with the win slipping from his hands with a crash on the final stage of the Circuit of Ireland he will be on a real push. Another driver to watch this weekend.is Donagh Kelly. The Focus driver is another man who has had an up and down year. Two podium finishes in Galway and the Circuit of Ireland were followed by a crash in Killarney. Donagh and co-driver Kevin Flanagan will be hungry for a result this weekend particularly since they are third in the championship just one and a half points behind Josh Moffett. Rounding out this list is the most experienced of the top 5 competitors but despite this he hasn't managed to claim victory in Donegal yet. Derek McGarrity is more than capable of winning but that top spot has eluded him in the North West. Will this be the year that all changes? The rest of the top ten is full of talent with the likes of Darren Gass, Seamus Leonard and John O'Donnell all in WRC machinery all with a point to prove. As for the win? Out of all the drivers mentioned there are only two previous winners among them but that's not to say the others aren't capable of taking their first victory. The form this year has been so erratic that it makes picking a winner incredibly difficult but if I had to pick one I'd put money on Gary Jennings. The 2012 winner will have a point to prove after previous results didn't go his way and with a previous victory under his belt he knows what the winning formula is here. But if this year has proven anything it's that this sport is incredibly unpredictable so Moffett, McGarrity, Kelly or any of the top 10 could be in line for victory.
In Group N Josh Moffett has to be considered the favourite. The younger brother of Sam has had a brilliant year so far and currently lies in 2nd overall in the Tarmac Rally Championship. He won't have it all his own way with the likes of Martin Doherty and Stephen Mc Cann more than capable of challenging.
The National Rally is just as mouth watering and as usual hosts an array of talented drivers. The favourite in my book has to be the 2012 winner Daniel McKenna. Co-driven by Arthur Kierans the Monaghan man has had quite the year so far winning the 2WD category of the European Rally Championship section of the Circuit of Ireland as well as a successful campaign so far in the British Rally Championship. He will be closely fought by last year's winner, Gary McPhillips. The two Escort drivers look to rekindle the battle they shared during this year's Monaghan Stages Rally in which the pair were neck and neck for most of the day. Donegal's Declan Gallagher is also in with a great chance of victory. The Glenties driver has had a great year so far and currently leads the Irish Tarmac National Championship and will be hungrier than ever for victory on home soil. Last week motorsport fans
got a fantastic surprise in the announcement that Motor Bike legend Michael Dunlop has entered the rally in a MK 2 Escort. All eyes will be on Dunlop, who has 11 Isle of Man TT race wins to his name, to see if he can impress in a car the way he impress on a bike. With the likes of Wesley Patterson, Frank Kelly and Manus Kelly to name a few also in the mix it will be a very intense battle for national honours this weekend and looks set to be a cracker.
So all eyes turn to the start ramp this Friday as the 42nd Donegal International Rally kicks off. It's very important to remember that the world of rallying was hit hard by the tragic accident during the Jim Clark Rally this year and with that in mind it is incredibly important people obey the marshals and consider their own safety while spectating. This rally has been hit by tragedy in the past and the last thing anybody wants is a repeat of that so stay safe and enjoy the premier event in Irish Rallying.
