Callum Devine has maintained the lead of the 2025 Donegal International Rally after day one’s stages came to an end.
The dominant Derry driver is looking to take his Hyundai i20 R2 to a third successive Donegal triumph, and his first day has created a solid platform for him to successfully defend his crown over the weekend’s stages.
He holds a 12.2 second over the much-favoured reigning European Champion Hayden Paddon.
New Zealander Paddon is a vastly experienced driver, but today marked his first time on the unique stages of Donegal.
Following a relatively steady start, Paddon has vaulted himself up to second overall in the rally after a string of fast times on the second loop of the day this afternoon.
They are far from the only two main contenders for the title this weekend however, as the chasing pack is nipping at their heels.
Third-placed Meirion Evans and fourth-placed William Creighton are 15.2 and 15.4 seconds off the lead respectively, but the biggest potential threat for the top spots may come from fifth-placed Jon Armstrong.
Armstrong was the early leader of the rally after the first two stages, but a faulty differential saw him sink down the standings on stage 3, losing 30 seconds.
However the former Junior WRC driver and current European Rally Championship competitor clawed back roughly 10 seconds of that deficit on the three afternoon stages, putting him just 20.7 seconds off of leader Devine and well within range to strike over Saturday and Sunday.
Tomorrow will see the drivers tackle the famous Knockalla stage twice, before Sunday and the iconic Atlantic Drive and Fanad stages which will await the competitors.
Full rally stage schedule and start times:
Saturday:
High Glen (SS7): 9:40am
Lough Keel (SS8): 10:10am
High Glen 2 (SS9): 12pm
Lough Keel 2 (SS10): 12:30pm
Knockalla (SS11): 2:30pm
Garrygort (SS12): 3:15pm
Knockalla 2 (SS13): 5:22pm
Garrygort 2 (SS14): 6pm
Sunday:
Carnhill (SS15): 11am
Atlantic Drive (SS16): 11:50am
Fanad (SS17): 12:30pm
Carnhill 2 (SS18): 2:30pm
Atlantic Drive 2 (SS19): 3:20pm
Fanad 2 (SS20): 4:02pm
