Donegal International Rally
Donegal International Rally logo. | |
Category | Rally |
---|---|
Country | County Donegal, Ireland |
Inaugural season | 1972 |
Drivers' champion | Gareth McHale |
Official website | http://www.donegalrally.ie/ |
Current season |
The Donegal International Rally is an annual sporting event held in County Donegal, Ireland. It is one of Ireland's oldest annual rally competitions and is a top event in the Irish Rallying calendar.[1] It has a reputation for being one of the country's most challenging rallies.[2] The event begins and concludes in Letterkenny.[3]
History
The event began in 1972 with Cahal Curley the first winner. The event was postponed for the two consecutive years of 2001 and 2002 due to the Foot-and-mouth disease[4] and a serious accident. The rally was abandoned in 2008 after a spectrator was hit by a driver.
The rally attracts approximately 50,000 spectators each year. The event is estimated to be worth over €20 million to the Donegal economy each year. The event was previously sponsored by Shell. The current sponsors of the Donegal International Rally are Topaz Energy and The Mount Errigal Hotel.[1]
2001 event
At the 2002 event two marshals were killed. The two 22-year-old men, one from Moville, the other from Crossmaglen, died when a car crashed into spectators at around 2.00pm. Three men were also injured. The remaining stages of the event were cancelled after the serious accident on Stage Two.[5] Andrew Nesbitt was announced as winner as he led the rally at the time of the accident.
This led to the Motorsport Commission to inspect safety at all future events.[6]
2008 event
At the 2008 event an 18-year-old spectator died after being hit by a competing car, at 3.30pm. The accident happened at Ballyare, about four miles from Letterkenny. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.[7][8][9] The road was closed and did not re-open for some time. Organisors cancelled the rally for the rest of the day and later announced that the 2008 event would be abandoned as a mark of respect[10][11] Eugene Donnelly was announced as winner as he led the rally at the time of the accident.
2010 event
On Saturday Afternoon 19 June 2010, a co-driver died after the car he was in crashed on the Knockalla stage, south of Portsalon, of the event shortly after 3pm. Thomas Maguire, Aged 26, from Longwood, County Meath was killed and his driver, Shane Buckley, critically injured. As a result, the final stage of the rally was cancelled. This was the first time in the rally's history that a competitor was killed during the rally.[12]
Winners
Year | Winner | Car | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1972 | Cahal Curley | BMW 2002 | |
1973 | Cahal Curley | Porsche Carrera | |
1974 | Cahal Curley | Porsche Carrera | |
1975 | Achim Warmbold | BMW 2002 | |
1976 | Brian Nelson | Porsche Carrera | |
1977 | Billy Coleman | Lancia Stratos HF | |
1978 | Ari Vatanen | Ford Escort RS1800 | |
1979 | Brian Nelson | Ford Escort RS1800 | |
1980 | Jimmy McRae | Vauxhall Chevette HSR | |
1981 | John Lyons | Ford Escort RS1800 | |
1982 | John Lyons | Ford Escort RS1800 | |
1983 | Vincent Bonner | Ford Escort RS1800 | |
1984 | Billy Coleman | Opel Manta 400 | |
1985 | Billy Coleman | Porsche 911 SCRS | |
1986 | Billy Coleman | MG Metro 6R4 | |
1987 | Bertie Fisher | Opel Manta 400 | |
1988 | Mark Lovell | Ford Sierra RS Cosworth | |
1989 | David Llewellin | Toyota Celica | |
1990 | Austin McHale | BMW M3 | |
1991 | James Cullen | Ford Sierra Cosworth | |
1992 | Bertie Fisher | Subaru Legacy | |
1993 | Bertie Fisher | Subaru Legacy RS | |
1994 | Stephen Finlay | Ford Escort RS Cosworth | |
1995 | Bertie Fisher | Subaru Legacy RS | |
1996 | Andrew Nesbitt | Toyota Celica | |
1997 | Austin McHale | Toyota Celica | |
1998 | Andrew Nesbitt | Toyota Celica | |
1999 | James Cullen | Subaru Impreza 555 | |
2000 | Andrew Nesbitt | Subaru Impreza WRC | |
2001 | Event did not run (Foot-and-mouth disease) | - | |
2002 | Event Cancelled Andrew Nesbitt | Subaru Impreza WRC | |
2003 | Andrew Nesbitt | Subaru Impreza WRC | |
2004 | Eugene Donnelly | Toyota Corolla WRC | |
2005 | Eugene Donnelly | Toyota Corolla WRC | |
2006 | Andrew Nesbitt | Mitsubishi Lancer WRC | |
2007 | Sébastien Loeb | Citroën C4 WRC | |
2008 | Event Cancelled Eugene Donnelly | - | |
2009 | Gareth McHale | Ford Focus | |
2010 | Gareth McHale | Ford Focus | |
2011 | Tim McNulty | Subaru WRC | |
2012 | Garry Jennings | Subaru WRC | |
2013 | Sam Moffett | Subaru S14 WRC | |
2014 | Declan Boyle | Subaru Impreza S12 WRC |
References
- 1 2 Donegal International Rally - Topaz Sponsorship Secures Future of Donegal International Rally
- ↑ Jardine attempts vertical climb on Donegal. | Rally UK News
- ↑ Donegal geared up for International Rally - RTE News
- ↑ Shell Donegal International rally postponed - RTE News
- ↑ Two marshals killed at Donegal Rally - RTE News
- ↑ Governing body to inspect safety at rally events - RTE News
- ↑ Spectator dies in rally collision - RTE News
- ↑ Tragedy halts Donegal Rally - RTE News
- ↑ Spectator dies in rally accident BBC News
- ↑ Rally ended as a mark of respect to deceased spectator - Highland Radio
- ↑ Donegal Rally cancelled after 18-year-old man killed - Irish Independent
- ↑
External links
- Official Site
- Donegal International Rally Past Winners
- James McDaid Crash Video - 1986
- Donegal International Rally Images on Letterkenny Guide
- Donegal International Rally Images on Flickr
- Donegal International Rally Images on Rally Retro