With just days to go for this Saturday’s Abbey Hotel Donegal Forest Rally, things are starting to fall into place.
The action kicks off on Friday with Scrutiny at the Donegal County Council Offices were all cars will undergo mechanical examination before hitting the stages on Saturday.
First car away on Saturday morning at 09:30 with the opening test at Lough Sallagh is a tough start to any Rally.
Next up is the short blast through Meencarrigh which will prove to a test were any second lost could prove costly.
The third stage is the Croaghonagh Stage which is fast and furious from the word go.
The crews will then visit the pier in Donegal Town for a much needed service before heading back through the gap to tackle the previous three stages again before returning to Donegal for service again.
This is a chance for spectators to get up close to the cars and drivers themselves.
After the short rest in Donegal the crews then head to tackle the 17kms Tullynacarry Stage twice.
This stage could prove to be the sting in the tail for many with 17kms of flawing gravel roads mixed in with tarmac just to make it even harder for the crews.
Then it is back to the Diamond in Donegal Town for the Ceremonial finish outside the Abby Hotel.
Entries are coming in nicely with the Seeded Entry List being published online on Wednesday. Below is some of the crews and cars that will tackle the event.
Sam Moffett Fiesta R5 Jonny Lenoard Evo 6
Josh Moffett Fiesta R5 Enda Mc Cormack S10
Jordan Hone Evo 9 John Reid Corolla WRC
Marty Mc Cormack Skoda Fabia S2000 Stephen Cullen Corolla WRC
Adrian Hetringhton Corolla WRC Martin Gallagher 208
Jon Armstrong EVO 10 Mickey Conlon Escort
Paddy O Brien EVO 9 David Crossan Escort
Ger Lucey Evo 9 John Gordon Escort
Paul Mc Cann Skoda Fabia Damien Mc Gauren BMW
Pasty Kennan Evo 9 Hugh Mc Quaid Escort
Ian Graham Evo 9 Chris Simms Escort
As with all Donegal Motor Club Events help will be required to run the event and anyone interested in Marshalling should contact Chief Marshall Kevin Kelly on 0876892626.
A list Rally programme retailers will available online tonight and rally programmes with maps, entry lists and other information are currently on sale from that date. We have released a rally guide and a time and distance schedule online to help competitors with essential information which can be found at http://www.donegalmotorclub.com
Clerk of the Course if Johnny Baird – and last night Charlie Collins got the thoughts of the COC…
