The 1983 Donegal International Rally, a classic in which a local hero defies the odds to win

Posted by Scott Coursey 12 June, 2008

It was set to be a battle royale between a young charger looking for his first International win and a star from Fermanagh in his new machine. It didn't turn out that way as a local fisherman became the first home driver to win his home event.

Bertie Fisher had turned up in his new, immaculate, Sydney Meeke built Opel Manta 400 and was firm favourite. Austin McHale was expected to be the danger man in his NCT Chevette HSR, so far the nearly man of the Tarmac Championship. Donegal's Vincent Bonner in a MK 2 Escort (with a famous reg) was predicted for a top three finish but he didn't read the script.

The rally began, as expected, with a duel between Fisher and McHale. McHale set the early pace while Fisher bedded in his new mount. Then Mchale had gearbox problems and a pucture, dropping four minutes after SS5. Fisher appeared in control as he led the rally after the first day by a minute from Bonner. McHale was 19th still 4mins down. Kenny McKinstry was a first day retirement as his Escort blew a head gasket.

Day two was a day which provided many twists and turns and would end with a Donegal man just in the lead. Fisher started well with the intention of watching McHale's times and driving accordingly. This strategy may though have proved his undoing as he crashed on his feared Fanad Head stage, hitting a wall and spinning into a ditch, puncturing and damaging the steering and suspension. Retirement came a few stages later as the car became undriveable leaving a rather depressed Fisher being consoled by his team. McHale had been off at the same spot as Fisher but got away with it and continued to reel in Bonner to leave the gap at the end of the day to just a few seconds. Richie Heely in his Escort was third with a consistent drive.

McHale was expected to gobble up Bonner on the final day but that didn't happen. McHale was leading by 9secs with four stages to go then disaster struck on Atlantic Drive. McHale had punctured, his lead was now a 49 second deficit. Victory had denied him again and he was devasted. This though could not take away from Bonner's win and he was treated as a hero at the finish ahead of a dejected McHale in second with Heely a delighted third. Phil Collins, who made his Donegal debut that year and retired after an off in his Ascona, wouldn't complete a Donegal Rally for another 24 years.

Article sourced from Carsport and Motoring News

The Winner

The 1983 Donegal International Rally, a classic in which a local hero defies the odds to win