Story: Staff Writer
Pictures: Jakob Ebrey Photography and Geoff Mayes Media.
An impressive 70,000 spectators are expected to attend this weekend’s Topaz Donegal International Rally, Round Four of the Citroen Irish Tarmac Rally Championship!
The three-day event, which starts from Letterkenny on Friday morning, has attracted a full capacity entry of more than 150 crews, including many of the leading Citroen Irish Tarmac Rally Championship contenders.
After three rounds, a mere seven points separate the leading four championship drivers, with County Fermanagh’s Alastair Fisher topping the tables in his production category Mitsubishi Lancer. The 21-year-old driver is seeded at number seven this weekend ahead of Craig Breen, who lies third in the championship standings with his Ford Fiesta S2000.
In the championship stakes, Fisher leads Dubliner Aaron MacHale with a slender one point advantage. MacHale propelled himself into second in the series standings after claiming maximum points at round three. The Ford Focus WRC pilot will be aiming to build on that success this weekend in a bid to overhaul Fisher.
But MacHale will face some stiff opposition, not least from his brother, Gareth, who also has a Ford Focus WRC at his disposal. Donegal was the scene of Gareth’s maiden Irish Tarmac Championship victory in 2009, and he will be fighting for the spoils once again.
Gareth had led this year’s championship until mechanical problems abruptly halted his progress at round three. His retirement dropped him to fourth in the Citroën ITRC standings, although he starts this weekend’s event with number one on his doors.
Tim McNulty will start at number two with his Subaru Impreza WRC. Navigated by Paul Kiely, the crew have endured a difficult season, having failed to score points on each of the opening three rounds.
Meanwhile, Circuit of Ireland Rally winner Derek McGarrity starts the event at number three ahead of reigning British Rally Champion, Keith Cronin.
The Topaz Donegal International Rally also marks round four of the Citroen Racing Trophy. Martin McCormack leads the series and has already won an impressive €11k in prize money. Robert Barrable is only four points adrift, with Adrian McElhinney third.
There is also a strong entry in the Modified Trophy, although current category leader, Mervyn Wedlock, has not entered the event. His absence will give his rivals the perfect opportunity to play catch-up in the championship stakes, with second placed Barry Meade determined to close the 10 point gap.
And the battle among the Citroen Irish Tarmac Historic Championship competitors will be equally intense, with no less than 14 crews entered in the rally.
Action starts this Friday morning when competitors leave the Letterkenny start ramp, located outside the An Grianan Theatre, at 10.15am. Crews will tackle 20 stages throughout the course of the three day event, including a spectacular town stage around Buncrana.
The winners are crowned at the Mount Errigal Hotel finish ramp on Sunday afternoon. More details can be found online at www.irishtarmac.com or www.donegalinternationalrally.com.
