Entries continue to flood in for the 2017 Joule Donegal International Rally in advance of the closing date on Tuesday-week, 16th May.
Competitors are reminded to get their entries in this week for the chance to participate in one of the biggest rallying events in Ireland. The Joule Donegal International Rally takes place from Friday 16th to Sunday 18th June and entry forms and regulations are available via www.donegalrally.ie or www.donegalmotorclub.com.
The stage is set for one of the most exciting events in motorsport. The Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Rally Tarmac Championship has just passed the half-way point, with events in Galway, West Cork and Killarney.
The championship hopefuls have been battling hard to try and gain an advantage and Monaghan native Sam Moffett currently leads the main table with an 11.5 lead over fellow Fiesta R5 driver, Alastair Fisher. Muff’s Joe McGonigle is in third place with his Skoda R5 and Robert Barrable is in fourth with his Hyundai i20 R5.
In the modified section, Kevin Eves leads the table in his Toyota. He heads into his home event in Donegal with a 10 point advantage over Eugene Meegan in his BMW, with Escort driver Sean Moynihan in third. In the juniors, Cavan woman, Jenna McCann leads the table in her Fiesta with Justin Ryan in second and John McCabe in third.
The historic competitors have a longer Championship – with an extra event in Killarney and one in the Isle of Man – and will also arrive in Donegal at the midway point of their championship. Welsh competitor, Barry Jones leads the field from the similar Ford Escort of Keith McIvor and in third is Ernie Graham, who started the championship in an Escort but debuted his BMW M3 in Killarney.
Looking forward to welcoming some of the best rally drivers and crews to the northwest next month, Clerk of the Course Eamon McGee said: “Along with championship regulars, the Joule Donegal International Rally always attracts the best rally teams and crews from around the world, all vying to claim the illustrious title, ‘King of Donegal’.
“The guys participating in the championship will focus on getting as close to the number one position as possible.
“In the modified section, Donegal is regarded as the Grand Prix of Irish Rallying and this means it attracts the absolute cream of modified crews.
“For many of the visitors to Donegal in June, these guys are the spectacle that encourages them to flock in their thousands to stand on the ditches and cheer on their favourites.”
“Entries for this year’s Joule Donegal International Rally close on Tuesday, 16th May, so we’re encouraging people to get their entries in and be part of this exciting event. We promise there’ll be plenty of stories to tell this year, so don’t miss out on your chance to be a part of the magic that makes the Joule Donegal International Rally so memorable year on year!”
For more information on the Joule Donegal International Rally visit www.donegalrally.ie or www.donegalmotorclub.com. To follow the event details, visit the Donegal Rally Facebook, Twitter and Instagram account.
