While Jimmy was winning matches in Derry, Donegal driver Jason Wilkinson was winning rallies in Offaly.
By Donegal Motor Club PRO, Bernard Gallagher
An epic battle in class 16 in the Offaly countryside on Sunday saw four all-Donegal crews fighting for the class honours across the nine stages Birr Stages Rally laid out by Birr & District Motor Club. Letterkenny’s Ronan Dorrian with the famous Mickey Joe Browne, Cresslough’s Jason Wilkinson with Ciaran McGinley (main pic), Mountcharles Jordan Jervis/James McBrearty and Inishowens Kyle McDaid and Shane Maguire spent the day nipping at each other’s heels. At the end of stage 1, a mere 9.5 seconds separated the top 4 in class 16.
However, a big push over stage 3, saw Jervis/Mcbrearty quickest by 1.9 seconds to hold the lead heading into the first service With the top 4 battle down to only 3.9 seconds.
Unfortunately, minor mechanical issues would put pass to Jervis/McBrearty’s lead. Although still putting in reasonable times, it wasn’t enough to match the pace at the front. Returning to the second service of the day, it was Letterkenny’s Ronan Dorrian with new navigator Mickey Joe Browne, who held the advantage by 1.3 seconds over Wilkinson/McGinley with Mc Daid/Maguire in 3 rd.
Heading for the final loop, an excellent charge by Wilkinson/McGinley would see them take the lead over Dorrian/Browne. A tiny 4.5 second gap separated the top 3 juniors going into the final stage. Some last minute drama for the Wilkinson/McGinley, with a bust radiator hose before starting SS9. But as always in rallying, help is never far away with a spare radiator hose generously offered to continue the battle and hold on to 1 st place. In what is becoming the norm for Kyle McDaid, a gigantic last minute push over the final stage, he stopped the clock at 6:57.2. this netted McDaid/Maguire the quickest class 16 time but more importantly promoted them to 2 nd place ahead of Ronan Dorrian/Mickey Joe Browne by 1.3seconds. Trentagh’s Jason Tease also got a finish in his first ever rally driving.
Some of the Donegal Juniors.
In total, over 40 Donegal Motor Club members competed in the 2024 birr stages rally, the 3 rd round of the Triton sponsored National rally championship. Similar to class 16, many club members enjoyed the tight competition throughout the day. The dry conditions making a change from the usual wet and mucky terrain.
Overall standings, Donegal town building contractor David Kelly with the experienced Arthur Kierans finished 3 rd overall in the Volkswagen polo R5. Kelly really starting to settle in the Polo – will we see a podium in Donegal?
In class 2, Gareth Deazley/Oisin Joyce led the way from Matthew Boyle/Gary Byrne to claim victory by just 2.4 seconds. Class 5 saw the Boyles taking 2 nd and 3 rd spot with son Michael Boyle/Dermott McCafferty just piping father Declan Boyle/Patrick Walsh to the post for 2 nd place.
Class 11F saw some fierce competition across all stages, Brian Moore with Brockagh man Damian Doherty in the hot seat led the class until an unfortunate roll on SS8 put an end to their day.
The final results saw Trentagh/Kilmacrennan cousins Gavin Russell/Daniel Callaghan taking 3 rd in the highly competitive class. Rathmullan engine extraordinaire Kevin Gallagher and Ryan Moore took an outstanding victory in class 14 in the T90 Darrian after a commanding drive all day to fight off the attack from Chris O’Callaghan / Kaine Treanor. Gallagher/Moore also collected the Sligo Pallets drive of the day award for being the fastest class 14 crew on ss5 of the event. Micky Carbin with Convoys Dean O’Sullivan, took a very well deserved 3 rd place after another brilliant drive by the Monaghan man in only his 4 th event after converting to the rear wheel drive escort from his typical 4wd Mitsubishi Lancer.
3 rd in class 20 went to Donegal town brothers Trevor and Kenny Bustard. Overall, a huge well done to COC Eoin Longworth and his team, and to all at Birr & District Motorclub on the running of a safe and enjoyable event. Congratulations to everyone who collected trophies and finished the event. Thanks to all club marshals who travelled to assist in the running of the event. These events cannot run without the help of volunteers, so thanks to each and every volunteer for their assistance. The next round of the Triton National Championship is the Carlow stages rally in May.
Rory Kennedy (L) and Donagh Kelly.
Vltava Historic Rallye Success for Donegal Stalwarts.
Last weekend Frosses driver Donagh Kelly and Letterkenny’s Rory Kennedy took part in Round 2 of the 2022 FIA EHRC held in the Czech Republic with the 30th Historic Vltava Rally being the host event. This event had all kinds of conditions in store with snow, rain, muck and sunshine all in store for the Donegal Crew. The experienced crew kept to the plan and finished 3rd Overall beat only by 4wd machinery which was expected in the slippy conditions.
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